Holtville, California

Breakfast of oatmeal and coffee and we hit the road at 6:30. Had hopes of beating the winds, but no such luck today. The high winds continued throughout the night. Once again our bodies baked in the raging sun and got sand blasted at the same time. Shortly after crossing the the California border there were signs that no fruit could be brought across th line and we would have to pass through a search station. Dean and Ron began eating bananas like mad men. I had an orange packed away and couldn't consume that as easily and didn't want to through it away like the piles of lemons and oranges that lined the road. I knew I would need that orange for nourishment in the desert. It didn't cause any trouble since they just waved us through. Good thing they didn't have any of those fruit sniffing dogs, Vickie!
We hit the desert immediately with huge sand dunes, blowing and drifting sand. We went to the border patrol station and asked if we could travel on I 8 but he told us it was not permitted. We had to be on a road that was so full of holes and cracks that no cars even used it. After about five miles of that we decided to risk a $100 ticket and go on the expressway. Bob and I were hitting the winds pretty strong and just wanted to finish as fast as possible. We got the tandem up to 15mph and pushed and pushed. Had several sand drifts to get through and I thought for sure that we would go down. Not a fun game on an expressway.
Ron's knees were hurting and he begged for us to reconsider our plans to ride over sixty miles. We stopped in Holtville for something to eat. We hadn't eaten since 6:00 and I don't know when I have ever been as hungry. The orange and two dates didn't take care of the desert energy burned. The only vegetarian item on the menu at Nana's Cafe was tuna fish sandwich. I literally inhaled it!
Ron and Dean didn't arrive until we had finished eating. He said in no uncertain terms that he was going no further. Motels? Campgrounds? Of course not! So our old game of call the town manager and see if there was a public site where we could set up tents. She sent the Sherrie over to Nana's to get us. Everybody in the little place thought we were under arrest. So to make a long story brief, we are set up outside the fire station. They put up a red tarp on the fence so the town people can't see us too easily. We're right on the street.

We got to shower in the firehouse and are ready to walk to town again to get some supper. Not many choices. Off tomorrow to Octillo! Can't believe we are in California!