Story: Accidentally Perfect

It was not where I meant to be, but it was where I was supposed to be. It was the first day of a long overdue solo motorcycle ride and I had planned to make many more miles that day. But the heat was stifling inside my black crash suit and once I started poking around Nipton I found it delightful.

The first delight was nosing through the rather extensive collection of local travel books they had for sale. My skin and I almost parted ways when a voice behind me said, would you like me to get the mule and take you on a tour?" Turning around I saw the diminutive caretaker Fred smiling from ear, "Scared ya didn't I," he beamed. "Something I learned in the war," he went on. "I'll go get the mule."

Having never ridden on a mule before I was a little concerned, but hey I can ride big heavy motorcycles right? A mere mule should be no problem I told myslef unconvincingly. Thank goodness when Fred show up he was on four wheels, not four feet and tha a Mule is really a desert golf cart. And I did indeed get a VIP tour of Nipton and the surrounding area.

By the time the grand tour was over the small restaurant/cantina was open and a few other folks had started to show up. I sat outside and chatted it up with some other motorcyclists who had stopped by for a drink and a rest and, much to my dismay, were not wearng helmets. There is no helmet law in Arizona but still!

Since it was still early in the day I went to my room, dropped of some luggage and after a breif nap took a little ride up the Joshua Tree Highway toward Searchlight, NV.

Now there is a strange place, Searchlight, the main feature of the town is a large MccDonalds with a C-Store and Casion attached-weird.

Back in Nipton I unpacked the laptop in the cantina and much to my delight found a wireless signal. The resident canine came and took up residence with me on the very comfy couch tucked into the corner.

As is often the case in the deep desert time takes on a completely different quality. It doesn't seem to slow down per se as there just seems to be more of it. That being the case it did not see lke any time had passed when I left the cantina a couple hoursl later after having caught up with things on my laptop. I dropped off the laptop, looked at the bed and decided NOT to take a nap, grabbed my camera and headed back outsidl

A walk along the tracks seemed the most logical course, since it is the most prominent feature in the entire area. Walking the path along the edge of the tracks I met some fellow desert wanderers and we were all mesmerized by the close up view of the giant and powerful trains one usually sees only from a distance.

We were in for an even bigger surprise when the giant train came to a loud stop in front of the general store and the two man crew emerged from one of the engines.

Seems it has been a long standing tradition to use Nipton as an unofficial snack stop even though the railroad does not particularly approve.

The long summer day languidly turned to evening and it was time for dinner at the Whistle Stop Cafe which is the only game in town. I had dinner with my new found friends, a thick juicy hamburger made with a tortilla-delicious.

After dinner I sat outside for the longest time under the stars, the most I have ever seen. The next morning I was off early and had little idea what was in store. But that will have to wait until next time....

BMWeerman out....