I had to check this sign out on the side of route 66. I'm sure it is an old original sign from a day gone by.

L.A. Left

Chicago Right

We were traveling slowly on this cool crisp morning enjoying the sights when I could stand the pavement no longer. I spied an dirt ranch road that went right up between the mountains going North and abruptly turn off on it.

Now were talking----dirt--gravel--bumps-ruts--cattle guards--potholes--dust and lots of it !! But whats this ???? Sheep.

We were once again out in the open range but didn't expect this sheep herd----and I am totally unfamiliar with the character of a large herd of sheep. I didn't know if this guy was the dominant male and was going to show all the gals in the herd just how tough he was or what ??? I had my thumb on my starter button--but he later just walked back. I really think they thought we were the food wagon, but finally figured out were just a lost couple of sickle riders-----which he was right. A short distance down the road we hit a no trespassing sign and had to turn back---while a fellow out in the field was waving us over--I waved great big and kept on going--getting the heck out of there.

Maybe we were trespassing----but me and Kenny never saw any signs before the one we turned back at.

After finding the correct way and riding for miles North we turned West and crossed hwy. 93 a little Southwest of Dolan Springs and went west on Cottonwood road which led us to this trail, the "Portland Mine" trail. Where are the riders ?????? Seems things were heating up and we bailed out of our extra clothes we had on.

This trail was very remote and we never seen a living soul on it. It ran very close to the Colorado river which you can see in the background. We really aren't that far down stream of the famous Hoover Dam here.

We tried several times to find a side trail down to the Colorado but to no avail.

Needles, California------Old historic route 66 went right through this town.

I always think of the old movie The Grapes Of Wrath when I think of route 66 and Needles. A very sad movie.

We killed 2 states in 20 minutes just to have been there and done that----now on to more serious riding back in Arizona.

This trail is called the "Oatman Warm Springs" trail. It was a pretty rough trail and the sun was setting. Oatman Springs are an isolated series of warm-spring seeps in a dry desert setting.

On the way out we spotted this plant which seemed to glow in the dark. Amazing----we had seen a very few already but they were off in the distance. Up close this thing was almost scary looking.

It is called a "dodder" and is a flowering plant and parasite.

The trail gets a little smoother---we run into a railroad and can't get across legally. The railroad is posted "private crossing-no trespassing".

No----smo---we went across and seemed lucky to find our way thru a deep sandy road to civilization. Miles later we find a combo gas station and Wendy's and had a burger and frosty-----The gas pumps weren't working---this was the only place in the middle of nowhere and we were low on fuel and finally made it to the good size town of Lake Havasu City. A much too big town for me---but it was way after dark and we were desperate.