After a slow start we went for breakfast before packing the car and setting off. First stop the USS Midway. We parked on the pier. Amazingly it is $10 for the day to park there, super cheap. We boarded after paying, 50% entry reduction for Pete so $30 for us both.
It was my first time on a military ship so I found it quite interesting. We checked t all out including the flight decks where we ran into Joe & Laura, his boys and the Abyzz guys at different times. They had some cool simulator rides where one of us; Pete was the pilot and one; me was the gunner. It was an absolute hoot. We were doing barrel rolls that left me hanging upside down with my feet on the screen! I'm pretty sure at one point we crashed into the ocean too lol
We bought some souvenirs including an Air Force cap which Pete had been looking for for some time.
All up we were there for over two hours and then it was a case of setting the GPS in the general direction we wanted to go in with no real end point.
We passed the March AFB, up above there were three planes that appeared to be practicing a aerial routine which was pretty cool.
For a change we were all about the highways today, just looking to get out of California and on our way. There was some pretty cool highway art most of which I didn't get but there were some depicting planes, boats and trains; local agriculture like oranges and more. Many were of the mountains which we first headed towards then up and over.
For the most part it was almost barren hills many showing signs of having been swept by fire. Here and there we passed small to medium sized towns. Areas of Joshua trees came and went as did the Mojave National Reserve which looked much like the rest of the desert.
We stopped for a late lunch in Barstow. The wind was such the sand was blasting so we abandoned the idea of a roadside DIY lunch and went for the first time to in & out burgers. Highly recommended by Matt but moderately sure it won't become a regular thing for us; only three options n their menu & no bacon?? WTF? We should've gone to maccas, at least there I can get a chicken salad; with back if I want it too lol
We passed into Nevada and the minute we were over the border the casinos began. We spotted in which was Whisky Petes.
Vegas came and went looking all shiny and hopeful in the glow of the setting sun. A as soon as we were past Vegas it was once again desert punctuated only by ugly industrial areas.
Another tank of gas, maybe our fourth so far $40 took us to showing full.
Losing an hour when we crossed into Utah meant arriving at the hotel at 9.30 despite our car clock showing it as 8.30.
We checked in, did some washing and had dinner. A little work needed doing before we crashed out about 1.30