Originally posted on MySpace on March 13, 2008.I left Los Angeles and southern California this morning, starting my slow journey back to Washington. I met a lot of nice people and saw a lot of great places in the past week. But, it was time to get on the road again. My first stop of the day was barely out of town… Vasquez Rocks. This rugged park has been used as a location for many TV shows and movies. On my way there, I was following the signs to the park when I spotted another sign. I stopped abruptly...it’s a good thing there was no one following! There, in front of me, was a sign marking the entrance to Agua Dulce Movie Ranch. This is where Five For Fighting’s music video The Riddle was filmed! The gate was closed and I really couldn’t see anything from the road, but it was kinda neat knowing what was on the other side of the fence.
After taking some photos of the rocks and boulders, I continued on to Mojave for lunch…no, I didn’t have a double double with me. About 30 miles up the road, was my second destination of the day…the borax plant in Boron, CA. Now, you’re probably wondering, why would I want to visit THIS place? Hmm…because it’s there? Actually, I thought it would be interesting and they have a visitor’s center. Borax is the final product of refined borate salts. A LOT of products use borax…from glass (Pyrex), to face products (Oxy), to insecticides (boric acid), fertilizer, fiberglas, and yes, detergent ( 20 Mule Team Borax). And, a whole lot more! I was given a free sample of polished ulexite…that’s the mineral they mine at the facility. By the way, I got a laugh as I approached the gate and as I drove to the visitor’s center. They had some kooky speed limit signs…37 ½ , 14, 23. Probably someone’s attempt at humor.
It was pretty windy in Boron, and it got worse as I traveled up Hwy 395. In fact, the highway patrol was stopping north bound vehicles like semis and RVs in the tiny town of Pearsonville, and making them park there due to the high wind danger. I encountered the same thing further on in Lone Pine…the southbound tall vehicles were camped out there, too. I took the left at Lone Pine and drove west toward Mt. Whitney. I only went about 5 miles up the road, taking pictures along the way. I expected a whole lot more snow on the mountains, but it didn’t diminish their majesty. As I gazed at Mt Whitney, I tried to imagine John Ondrasik being way up there…he made it to the top last spring. That’s 14,500 ft up…impressive. I wonder if it was one of the things he’s always wanted to do. I achieved a few of my own on this trip. And, I’m not done yet…at least in my lifetime.
After taking some photos of the rocks and boulders, I continued on to Mojave for lunch…no, I didn’t have a double double with me. About 30 miles up the road, was my second destination of the day…the borax plant in Boron, CA. Now, you’re probably wondering, why would I want to visit THIS place? Hmm…because it’s there? Actually, I thought it would be interesting and they have a visitor’s center. Borax is the final product of refined borate salts. A LOT of products use borax…from glass (Pyrex), to face products (Oxy), to insecticides (boric acid), fertilizer, fiberglas, and yes, detergent ( 20 Mule Team Borax). And, a whole lot more! I was given a free sample of polished ulexite…that’s the mineral they mine at the facility. By the way, I got a laugh as I approached the gate and as I drove to the visitor’s center. They had some kooky speed limit signs…37 ½ , 14, 23. Probably someone’s attempt at humor.
It was pretty windy in Boron, and it got worse as I traveled up Hwy 395. In fact, the highway patrol was stopping north bound vehicles like semis and RVs in the tiny town of Pearsonville, and making them park there due to the high wind danger. I encountered the same thing further on in Lone Pine…the southbound tall vehicles were camped out there, too. I took the left at Lone Pine and drove west toward Mt. Whitney. I only went about 5 miles up the road, taking pictures along the way. I expected a whole lot more snow on the mountains, but it didn’t diminish their majesty. As I gazed at Mt Whitney, I tried to imagine John Ondrasik being way up there…he made it to the top last spring. That’s 14,500 ft up…impressive. I wonder if it was one of the things he’s always wanted to do. I achieved a few of my own on this trip. And, I’m not done yet…at least in my lifetime.
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