A Nevada rest stop to Benton, CA

Woke up in the Nevada. We are definitely ready to get out of this state and out of the desert. We have been riding long days to make this happen. We can almost taste California. 

We finished the extraterrestrial highway and started on this road:

We rode through a 'national forest' and didn't see a single tree. 

We got to Tonopah, which is by far the largest 'city' we have seen in Nevada. Allie and I both thought we had made a wrong turn and were in a third world country. The houses were mostly fallen down trailers and shacks. America

We ate lunch in a little cafe and filled our bottles and moved on. 

There was very little traffic in the morning but after we passed through Tonopah we came to the worst road of our entire trip so far (hopefully the entire country). The speed limit was 70, tons of eighteen-wheelers and RV's whizzing by and NO SHOULDER. We decided we are going to write to the governor of Nevada and suggest that he build bike paths. 

It was horrible. Tensing up everytime a truck passed too close and trying to not get knocked off by the wind they made as they passed was unpleasant. 

Traffic cleared slightly after we passed an intersection. We wondered where all the cars went until we got to these signs:

There was road work going on for about 12 miles. Despite the dust being blown up and the loose gravel road, it was a welcome change. Did I mention we can't wait to leave Nevada? 

Right after the road work, we came to another pretty big road. The shoulder was fortunately present. However, they put a rumble strip right in the center of the shoulder filling the entire thing and making it useless for us. It was great having cars honk as they flew by. 

I think Allie was getting a little discouraged by all the gravel and hills and traffic and Nevada " as soon as this is over, I'm selling my bike and eating Cheetos for the rest of my life"

Things got much better once we hit California. It was by far the most sudden change in scenery and roads we have encountered crossing state lines. The rumble strip immediately disappeared and the pavement smoothed out. Mountains appeared in the distance and we saw some trees. TREES! 

Here is us on the border. 

It's amazing (and exhausting) to think that we have now cycled completely through 13 states and have only one left. 

WE ARE SO HAPPY TO BE IN CALIFORNIA

Daily stats

Miles 88

Ave speed 10.4

Elevation 3420 ft

Haiku

Desert sun scorches

Allie is losing her mind

Oh California