March 7th Desert Storms

Joshua Tree in Mohave Preserve

Kelso Dunes boondocking site

Clouds coming over the dunes

Ever changing dunes

Beginning of sunset

Our campsite in the dunes

Sunset and wind

Beyond words

The sun sets over the dunes

Clouds through the trees

Leaving Kelso Dunes in sand storm

Wind and sand continue to blow

Mountains hidden by blowing sand

Old Route 66 sand storm

(Click on this picture to make it bigger)  SEARCHER  ( spelled out in rocks)- that's me! On old Rt. 66

After coming back to civilization for a brief respite,  we headed back into the wilds of the Mohave National Preserve south of Death Valley.  This desolate desert at first seemed like, well.... Death Valley-lite after the extreme beauty we just departed a couple of days ago.  The decision was to dry camp in one of their few spots for boondocking.  Our choice for the night was the Kelso Sand Dunes.  These dunes are close to 700 feet in height and spread out over a 45 square mile area.  When we stopped yesterday afternoon the wind was picking up to about 25 MPH.  We were somewhat protected near a couple of trees that must have come up from an underground spring in the area.  When we arrived there was one other camper in the area but as the wind picked up they left; we were left alone for the night.  As dusk surrounded us,  the wind died down a bit so I was able to go out and take advantage of the beautiful clouds and sunset for pictures.  However, this morning the wind came on even more strongly and while looking  east where we should have been able to see mountains all that was visible was a huge wall of blowng sand. I have heard of sand storms, and we all have seen Lawrence of Arabia, but seeing the sand blowing  on the movie screen is NOTHING like being IN the real thing as we were driving out of the Kelso Dunes camp site!  I had visions of being "sanded"  instead of "snowed-in" the park. 

50 MPH  blistering winds continued to blow hard all day as we traveled out of the Preserve. The wind and sand stayed with us through the day.  The only benefit was it became a tail wind as we turned East and traveled along  Rt. 66 . We  were blown into an RV park in Needles, Ca.  Electric, water, laundry, and  yes the wind persists;  but most importantly we have......an internet signal.