A long drive across the Mojave desert.

We left Needles California and drove all the way to Bakersfield.  A 5 1/2 hour drive with a half an hour for stops.  Wow!  It was blazing hot but the truck and RV did great.

Most of the drive was flat with limited traffic on good roads.  The last few miles were unpleasant with lots of curves up and down the mountains.  At one point we were at 4070 feet. The drop on the west side was 20 miles of 5% and 6% downgrades to get to the 531 feet it will be at the next RV park.  Ouch our ears hurt.

There is a lot of desert between where we are and the mountains far ahead.  I can not image how those who crossed this on a wagon.