Joshua Tree NP – Shoshone
The day started early, as we wanted to pack and up leave for Death Valley before it’s too late in the day. Having spent 2 days at JT, without a shower, I was desperate to get out of there and find some place with water. There was a couple that has sneaked up next to our camping site late night/early morning, and were snuggled in their sleeping bags. They woke up as we started packing and patiently waited for us to leave so that they could occupy the site. As we were struggling to deflate our air mattress, attached it to the deflator plugged into the bike, this guy who had been patiently waiting, stepped forward and said, “have you tried unscrewing the valve so that it can release the air? Normally that’s much faster”. V and I looked at each other embarrassed and thankful at the same time. David (we learnt the name of the guy over the course of the conversation) and V chit chatted for a while we continued packing. David was impressed and surprised that we were undertaking such an ambitious trip! (Tell me about it). While we were at it, I used the opportunity to ask him, what they intended to do for showers during their stay at JTNP. What he told me was music to my ears. We could have a hot shower outside the park for a few dollars. Needless to say that we packed at lightning speed and were standing at the pay shower joint, before we knew it J
that's the $4 shower!
Having cleaned up and feeling much fresher, we decided to head directly to the Death Valley, and the night halt would be in the desert. having whiled away some time eating an enormous breakfast at "the country kitchen" outside JTNP, we set on the road. smaller pit stops were made at a walmart (to buy a lip balm - my skin was already sun burnt, and lips chapped), and a subway for an early lunch.
By 530 pm we were in a small town called Shoshone (the last one on California before we cross the Nevada border for Death Valley) . a signboard that said 'next services after 72 miles' forced us to stop by this town to get a tank refill, and also to weigh the possibility of actually staying the night. it didnt make much sense to ride all the way to Death Valley, specially when we weren't sure of getting a camping place at that hour.
We stopped by for a drink by 'The crowbar Saloon' and as luck would have it, there was a 'tent space available' sign right across the road. V went out to check and came back smiling. The place had a warm pool, hot showers, a microwave and a fridge that we could use while camping there. This was it. This would be where we would spend the night, and set out to explore Dearth Valley the next morning. We chose a cozy little corner to set up our tent and it was time to relax.
The view from the tent was breath taking and I was glad that we didn't go any further that day. The stay was well earned. We had the luxory of a library too, where we spent the evening browsing through maps and magzines, while sipping on hot coffee. The microwave gave us the freedom of cooking instant meals and eating our heart out. This was heaven for me, since being a vegetarian, I was fed up of eating cinnamon rolls and french fries. Tonight, I would sleep well :)
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