Photo: Amboy Crater Labyrinth

Yeti and I spent a few nights in Twentynine Palms again! We resupplied Jac several times out of this town. Yeti and I did a few day hikes in Joshua Tree again, which were very nice. Monday, April 13th we will check out and head toward Amboy, a classic Rte 66 outpost that is trying to restore the old store, gas station, and the motel. It’s a big project so it’s happening very gradually. The highway is closed outside of town for repair (and has been for 4 years) and Jac will have to re-route herself a bit so we can meet her on Tuesday morning.

The plan then is to go into Needles and she can do all the typical town chores there. We will spend the night there. Then, it will be a while before we get to a big town. We’ll be heading toward Death Valley after she finishes the Mojave section.

There is a short hike near Amboy, so I hope we do this later today. Since the weather has turned cool I don’t mind walking later in the day too much. I think it’s only supposed to be in the high 60s today…what a change from the time I started back in March.

Later on Monday we went over to the Amboy Crater Landmark and decided that we could camp there. Clouds were amassing and it looked like rain, so we read for a while. Rain and high winds came and we waited for them to pass. After the rain stopped, we did the hike to the crater, up and through the crater, and around half of the rim. You then walk out the way you came in. Great hike. Beautiful sunset and a peaceful night. Jac was only about 1.5 miles from the road!

Tuesday early we met Jac and drove to Needles. First, we had a nice breakfast and then drove 15 miles to the Walmart where we shopped. We returned to Needles, checked into our rooms, and went to lunch at an Indian restaurant. Finally, back to the room to relax, do laundry, and clean up. Tomorrow, back to Amboy to drop Jac off at the trail. We’ll meet her at highway 40 to resupply water.