Passing many signs for "sliding" rocks, we observed a variety of plant life. Some that Emily said reminded her of the mangroves back home, with long roots and twisted limbs. Some were entirely different, like this plant that we saw growing out of the rock of the mountain.
Our travels took us very close to the US and Mexico border. On the outskirts of Jacumba we were a "stones throw" away from the border wall. We did not even recognize what the wall was until we saw a border patrol vehicle parked right up against it (see photo). We then started a game of "where is border patrol!?" as they became a common part of the landscape.
Chris protecting the border:
Can you find border patrol?
Our descent from the top of the In-Ko-Pah mountains was breathtaking, exhilerating, and impossible to describe in words (or with pictures). We have no picture that can show what it was really like. We were coasting through mountain ranges and the In-Ko-Pah Gorge into enitrely new scenery at a pace that we had not experienced in a while. We hardly pedaled at all for about 15 miles, while we descended 3,000 feet.
When we finally reached the valley at the end of our descent we pulled off to the side of the road and just stood there, eyes wide and probably little comical "oh" expressions on our faces. We were both in a bit of shock. It was an incredible ride, and something that would be worth coming back to see again. The mountains and hills seemed to be made completely of precariously piled smaller rocks, in clay reds and sandy hues. The road was never straight, and often the only thing between us and a tumble down those rocks was a guard rail (thankfully we aren't like my sister, who likes to go over those!). It was just an incredible descent. The best highway drive I've ever experienced.
Suddenly our landscape had transformed into a desert. We restocked on water and had a delicious lunch of canned tuna, string cheese, and grape juice before heading across the Yuha Desert.
We quickly left our mountains behind. It was almost like being in Florida again, with endless, flat roads. But the pavement was a little rough, and our butts were a bit worse for wear after our desert experience.
About half way through the desert, we came upon the one "city" on the route, Plaster City - which wasn't a city at all. It was almost surreal, riding through sand and scrub, and a large plant appeared on the horizion, painted in desert colors. Seeing it from a distance, we wondered if it was being hidden. As we road through the plant, which occupied both sides of our little two lane road, we realized they actually did specialize in plaster. There were mountains of drywall stacked in open air warehouses, and semis carrying it from the Plaster City Plant. But soon we left the plaster behind, and continued through our desert.
There wasn't much animal life visible in the heat of the sun, but one little creature we kept seeing was this guy:
They would sit near the edge of the road, soaking up the heat or maybe waiting for lunch, but as soon as we got near they would run off to their holes or hide in a bush. If they hadn't moved we would have never been able to spot them.
Overall it was a very satisfying day as we road into El Centro. We were exhausted, but we had covered 56 miles, biked through a desert, and made it to Walmart. Walmart was a funny highlight. We restocked on yummy dried dinners, sunscreen, beef jerky, and power bars (the important things in life) before biking over to Desert Trails RV Park. I set up camp and Chris gathered dinner:
:) With hot showers and sleep it was a very good day!
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