Waking up early is an easy task for me. Despite the uncomfortable sleep with most of our orifices coated with sands, we got up cheerly. Protein is something we got to get in everyday life, cheese, salami, and eggs: perfect for breakfast. We pushed ourselves by speculating amazing peaches on the hike, but the life is never that sweet and this is the desert area. Devils' garden started with a narrow trail of Indiana Jones style. I have leant that the prickly pears spread by seeding within the sweet fruit. Jesse showed me this by sacrificing his fingers to the silent mighty thorns. Thanks Jesse. We enjoyed many arches, only one that I remember well is Landscape Arch, which we got to see the video and picture of natural destruction (partial). Jesse went extra mile to get a better angle on the arch, I supported his effort at the base by sitting near the fence, yes, outside of it.

We left already crowded parking lot with plenty of time to drive out to nothingness. I wanted to get something for Kae, my girlfriend in Japan. So we stopped at the visitor center, got the gifts, saw the movie about the red rock and arches, and left the park.

After gassing at Green River, we put the Audio CD: On the Road by Jack Keroak. Perfect match for our road trip. We both appreciate the mentality of hitch hiking and going to the unknown. I don't remember the detail of the story, but the laughing guy that represent the West, and poorly represented Montana guy, made an impression on me. Passing through the San Rafael Reef, we saw a nice canyon by Moore Road. Beautiful place, it was worth making a half mile road for it. Salina stop was uneventful except a boy painting his mom's toe nail right outside of the entrance to the gas store.

Here it is, starting SR 50, scenic route, and the loneliest road in USA. I cannot make anything out of it, just many corn fields, straight road, and some occasional towns. But, it got very exciting after we passed the Delta. Jesse found a rugged man pushing a bicycle on the side of the road. We decided to turn back and offered to help. Wow, at least a dozen of Mountain Dew filled with water, radio, and some food: He is prepared. Next service town is 80 miles away. In this scorching weather, he was going for it!! We are awed by his story. His name is Joseph, riding from the east center of Alabama, crossing Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado to Elko Nevada. Wow, 4 days ago, he turned 60 years old: full cycle back to the new born (In Japan, we celebrate 60 with wearing a red jacket meaning rebirth of person). He had some power struggling issue with 17 months older brother, his bike was about to be taken by his brother, so,,, he took off. Such a compelling story. After we heard all the story, we sent him with some foods and prayer,,,make it Joseph, please.

I passed out around Confusion mountain, which Jesse said was very twisted looking mountain. Ask him for more detail. Finally we passed through a part of Great Basin, now we are in Baker, NV. We gracefully entered the Visitor Center of Great Basin National Park: yes, we are the only guest. From the international crowd of Arches, to the lonesome Great Basin,,, We like it!! An old man greeted us with many hip saying from 20's, which I mostly did not understand. But, he gave us helpful tip about the park and the Yosemite as well as his story that made our eyes shine. I am greatful for that man and his sidekick. Thanks for being there!! The road to the Wheeler Peek Campground was eventful: Random art starting with a unicycle with a pair of shoes stick to pedals, in front, crucified jacket man wearing helmet, carrying a cane. Ask the Santa Fean, they can tell you, not me. I wouldn't describe all the weird art, but it ended with buried man. The road ascended with a panoramic view of Great Basin, wow, Joseph, don't die. Our cheerly soundtrack music of Footloose kept us busy singing and for me, recalling the youth that I never had.

"Wow, this camp ground is awesome." We picked #32, with Lehman Creek running right next to us. After putting up tent and filling paper work, we set our feet to Bristlecone Pine trail, very mild hike with reward that exceeded our imagination. Surrounded by the 3000, and 2000 years old tree, is just like going back to Yakushima, where Princess Mononoke was designed after, wet island with ancient trees aging up to 7000 years old, they say. But here it is different, they slowly grow and die slowly. " You gotta be kidding me." These trees must have been curved by naturalistic artists. Well, nature did it, but godly presence of feminine curves and golden skin showed us how small and insignificant we are. We toasted with Limon liquar only small two shots, no more, ask Jesse what happened there, he will tell you with demise.

Our dinner was awesome, pesto nochi with vodka sauce containing mushroom, garlic, salami, and Jesse's love. We enjoyed it beside the golden glowing campfire, it is getting cold.

We slept well that night with our garlic smelling fart.

Seish