Day 0: Baker, California, gateway to Mojave National Preserve, Xmas Eve
Mojave National Preserve has numerous entrance points, but Baker, California is the only one served by public transit.
I arrive from San José on Amtrak at 20h30 and spend the evening at the el-cheapo Royal Hawaiian Motel, as I often do. I'll head out into Mojave National Preserve, just on the other side of the freeway, tomorrow
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Date: December 24, 2007, 08h00
Size: 13 items
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My pile of supplies and gear dumped in the spare bedroom the night before leaving home
It's 22h30 and you'd think I'd be ready to leave by now since I leave on Amtrak early tomorrow morning.
Date: December 23, 2007, 22h29
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The 10-ton bike and I are ready to leave downtown San José and head to Mojave National Preserve again!
There really are other places in the world to visit besides Mojave National Preserve, but with each visit, I get to know the area better and notice places that I haven't had a chance to explore.
Date: December 24, 2007, 08h21
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My Amtrak bus out of San José leaves me at Stockton, where I transfer to an Amtrak train to Bakersfield
After the 4.5-hour train ride to Bakersfield, I'll transfer to an Amtrak bus to Baker that will take four more hours.
Date: December 24, 2007, 11h44
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Across the tracks from the Stockton Amtrak station is an old house that looks abandoned, but isn't
The windows of the house facing the tracks appear to be boarded-up, with iron security bars mounted on top. But the property is well-maintained and I notice some children playing in the yard.
Date: December 24, 2007, 11h40
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I spend 4.5 hours on the Amtrak San Joaquin train, occasionally staring at the tray-table instructions in front of me
Fortunately, the train serves food, and the chicken burrito is pretty good. Beer is also available, but it's a bit early in the day for beer (for me at least).
Date: December 24, 2007, 15h36
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The Amtrak bus leaves me at Baker, California at around 20h30, gateway to Mojave National Preserve
I mount my saddlebags and sleeping bag on the bike and ride a half mile down the road toward the Royal Hawaiian Motel, which will be home tonight.
Date: December 24, 2007, 20h45
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After checking in at Baker's Royal Hawaiian Motel for Xmas Eve, I walk back up the road to get a meal at the Mad Greek
The Mad Greek restaurant at Baker's four-way stop sign is one of just a few non-chain restaurants and shops in town.
Date: December 24, 2007, 21h47
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The Royal Hawaiian Motel is the cheapest motel in Baker, and for good reason (at $49/night it's not exactly cheap, however)
The rooms recall the 1970s and often exhibit various features of obsolescence, such as this out-of-service wall heater and a big stain on the thick carpet.
Date: December 24, 2007, 22h53
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Even the message telling the visitor that this heater is no longer in use appears to be many years old
The tape attaching the message to the heater hasn't detached yet.
Date: December 24, 2007, 22h53
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Overview of my room at the Royal Hawaiian Motel
This room still has the original knotty pine ceiling. The ceiling in many other rooms has since been covered up by the kind of faux-wood paneling that adorns the walls here.
Date: December 24, 2007, 22h54
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The stained ceiling in the bathroom tells a story of a shower in the room above that leaked
Perhaps the ceiling still leaks now; the sink in this room is clogged and drains extremely slowly.
Date: December 24, 2007, 22h54
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The particle-board door on the bathroom has never been painted
This replacement door looks like it was installed years ago, judging by the water stains.
Date: December 24, 2007, 22h55
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