Day 0: 1.3 bicycling miles. Amtrak train and bus ride to Baker, California from San José to start the trip
A very short bike ride from home to the San José Amtrak train station, followed by an Amtrak bus ride to Stockton, then a train from Stockton to Bakersfield, then finally another Amtrak bus from Bakersfield to Baker, California.
To my surprise, a woman on the bus gets off with me at Baker to take a short break and asks me if I remember her from last year.
Suddenly, I do! She's the woman that I mentioned in last year's Mojave National Preserve bicycle camping travelogue, who was on the same Amtrak bus route with me last year.
I wasn't convinced last year that she thought I was totally sane to do a bicycle trip like this, but this year she's more supportive, seeing me return excited to the Mojave Desert. Gee, will I see her again next year?
After our conversation, she gets back on the bus to continue her trip, and I have a short ride from the bus stop to the Royal Hawaiian Motel just down the road in "downtown" Baker, with a stop at Alien Fresh Jerky along the way.
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Date: April 17, 2007, 07h00
Size: 20 items
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The 10-ton bike is all packed up in my backyard at 5h45
Ready to ride over to the San José train station 1/2 mile away.
Date: April 17, 2007, 05h45
Views: 84
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Waiting on the train platform at Stockton after the Amtrak bus ride from San Jose
An old neighbourhood of late Victorian-era houses, much like mine, sits on the other side of the tracks.
Date: April 17, 2007, 08h21
Views: 70
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The train from Stockton to Bakersfield makes a stop
Somewhere in the Central Valley.
Date: April 17, 2007, 10h43
Views: 60
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Inside the train from Stockton to Bakersfield
Bike racks for those of us travelling with our bikes. No other cyclists on this part of the train ride, unlike last year's trip, which had several.
Date: April 17, 2007, 11h58
Views: 73
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The train approaches the end of its route at Bakersfield
We pass an area of oil derricks.
Date: April 17, 2007, 12h36
Views: 54
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The Amtrak bus out of Bakersfield climbs over the mountains
We pass through oak woodlands on the way over the mountains toward the Mojave Desert.
Date: April 17, 2007, 13h48
Views: 72
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On the Amtrak bus from Bakersfield to Barstow (and then Baker)
One of many train tunnels that can be seen from the highway as the bus climbs over the mountains toward the Mojave Desert.
Date: April 17, 2007, 13h51
Views: 75
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The Amtrak bus stops briefly at the town of Mojave, California
The wind always seems to be blowing here, as the bent trees suggest.
Date: April 17, 2007, 14h16
Views: 58
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An old art-deco building in Mojave, California
It houses a thrift store.
Date: April 17, 2007, 14h17
Views: 52
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Main street in Mojave, California
Looking north.
Date: April 17, 2007, 14h20
Views: 70
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Next stop on the Amtrak bus to Baker is Barstow, at "Barstow Station"
"Barstow Station" is built partially of old rail cars and is occupied by a small food court.
Date: April 17, 2007, 15h50
Views: 112
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The men's washroom at Barstow Station
It's located in one of the old train cars.
Date: April 17, 2007, 15h35
Views: 76
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After leaving Barstow, heading toward Baker (and then Las Vegas afterward)
The bus passes a billboard on the freeway advertising Baker's Mad Greek restaurant 25 minutes away.
Date: April 17, 2007, 16h24
Views: 56
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Desert hills
Along Interstate 15 between Barstow and Baker.
Date: April 17, 2007, 16h30
Views: 67
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In Baker, I check into a tacky 1970s room at the Royal Hawaiian Motel
After dark, I go for a walk up the road for a bite to eat.
Date: April 17, 2007, 20h54
Views: 70
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