I had to go check it out.
The park's exit does leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere though. I took Interstate 10 east to leave California behind. This interstate does go through some low-elevation desert. Temperatures did go up to 43-45 celcius during my trek. Worse, they did not fall below body temperature until well after midnight making my stay in Blythe, CA highly uncomfortable.
Next day I hurried to Arizona around sunrise. By heading northeast to the mountains and their higher elevation I was hoping to avoid another day of 40+ degree weather. I was rewarded by lush forest landscapes alternating more traditional desert vegetation.
I spent the afternoon in Jerome, AZ. This old copper mining town is located on the side of a mountain cliff around a single winding road. It is also the centre of the up and coming Arizona wine scene, with one of the main wineries being owned by James Keenan of Puscifer and Tool fame. Speaking to some of the locals it sounds as though he has made quite the name for himself in the wine industry as well.
I also spoke to the owner of a hot sauce shop located in town. She moved from Boston in search of a better climate. She kept me from leaving with plenty of samples and tortilla chips.
I spent the night in Cottonwood, another Old West town. I met an old Vietnam vet who retired here from Alaska. At night I had to find my way back to my camp site by the river in absolute darkness as I was staying in a nature preserve. Good thing I brought my bright flash light.
Next few days I spent exploring the Grand Canyon, Zion national park, Vermillion Cliffs, Lake Powell and Horseshoe bend. I won't waste too many words - every single one of these parks is beyond all description, and must be seen, over multiple days, to be believed and experienced.
Exiting the Najavo reserve brought me to New Mexico. Some interesting tidbits;
* Restaurants will almost invariable ask "red or green?", referring to what chili sauce you'd like on your burger, eggs, burrito, ..,
* NM loves its turquoise and pueblo-style buildings - we're talking houses, gas stations, even Walmarts.
Along the way I did contract what I believe to be altitude sickness - a week of ascending and descending thousands of feet per day did take its toll. I am now resting up in Albuquerque for a few days. Not all bad, as I brought the bike in for a major engine service at one of the most highly recommended Triumph dealerships in the southwest.
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