6000 Miles of Summer - Day 4

 Barstow (CA) to Casa Grande (AZ)

(540 mi)

A Journey Through Contrasts

Rehydrated (Blue Moon). Fueled up (Walmart Deli). Gassed up (Valero). As the first rays of the sun pierced the horizon, I headed due south into Lucerne Valley, anticipating another day in triple digits. The excitement of reaching the California Coin in Idyllwild, a stop in one of the hottest cities in the United States and finally reuniting with my fiancée set the pace for the day.

The sunrise was breathtaking, and with no traffic, it was perfect for cruising. The CA-18 from Lucerne Valley started off mundane with mining traffic, but soon transformed into a thrilling, twisty climb up towards Big Bear Lake. The altitude brought a welcome coolness, a stark contrast to the previous day's heat. I hoped for a coffee stop in Big Bear, but luck wasn't on my side, so I pressed on along CA-38 towards Riverside.

The road was a delight, with its smooth surface and endless twists and turns—a perfect warm-up for the adventures ahead.

Navigating the highways of greater Los Angeles is always a relief when it's over. It was the quickest route, and surprisingly better than expected, but still a highway.

The CA-243 to Idyllwild was a dream. After quickly overtaking a lone car, it was pure bliss. Passing the town limits of Idyllwild, I felt a pang of disappointment that it was over. The devil on my left shoulder urged me to turn around and do it again, while the voice of reason on my right reminded me of the journey still ahead. 

A quick photo, and some fantastic coffee and cake at 'Pure Bean Idy' (highly recommended!), and I was back on the road.

Heading South as far as I could, then turning east, I followed the border on a state route next to I-8, passing through Calexico and towards Yuma, Arizona. 

I arrived in Yuma before 3:10 PM, greeted by a scorching 115°F (46°C). After a quick lunch downtown, I voluntarily visited the prison—a fascinating glimpse into the harsh conditions of the past. 

The Harley dealership coin was a must-have, along with plenty of water and Gatorade. A recommended stop at Dateland Travel Center for their Date Milk Shakes was much needed and well-deserved.

The rest of the journey was uneventful on the Interstate, with a few Border Patrol inspections and a looming dust storm in Gila Bend. Leaving the interstate, I took a backroad through the Sonora Desert Wilderness, finally arriving in Casa Grande. The hug I received was the perfect end to a long day.

The next few days will be spent off the bike, enjoying time with family.

See you soon for the second part of the trip to Tennessee!