High temp noted today 44C/112F.Awoke today to find a flat rear tire. Inflated tire & found leak caused by a piece of metal in the tire. Removed it and tried plugging the hole but found that it was still losing air at about 10 lbs. per hour. Waited until 9:00, when places would be open, and went to the KOA office where the lady and a man from a local plumbing shop did everything they could to try and find me a place in the vicinity that would have a replacement tire. After much research and many phone calls they were unsuccessful. Advised me that Barstow might be my best chance in the direction I was traveling. Got packed up and set out west, stopping every 45 minutes to add air to the tire since it had usually dropped from 42 to 30 lbs in that time. Arrived in Barstow too late to get a tire and have it mounted and since air pressure drop in tire was consistent set out for Pomona as per my original plans.
Most of today's ride through the desert was on The National Trails Highway that follows, or closely follows, the Route 66 alignment. However, in many places you can see the old dirt road alignment in the desert. Lots of long straight stretches of highway.
As I neared San Bernadino and other places on the road to LA, I crossed the El Cajon Pass and immediately noticed the smog of the LA area.
Passed by where Roy Rogers Ranch was but due to tire problems decided to pass up visiting a stuffed Trigger.
Arrived at KOA after 20:00 closing time but met Pam who had just locked up and was leaving the office. She had me fill out an after hours registration form and gave me directions to tent site F and perhaps more important, the code to the men's restroom & shower facilities. Set up tent and went to bed and will deal with tire problem in the morning.
Photos: Mojave Desert; Desert Graffiti.
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