They run up and down the very small hill, delighting in a simple pleasure of childhood.
Across the tiny hill, majestic mountains, unique in appearance, stand. These rocks are awe-inspiring, and this is the perfect place for running into your mama’s arms.
And to take a silly photo.
The Mojave National Preserve’s unique scenery is a beauty to behold, and the sand dunes would have been an incredible experience.
Alas, the Commander isn’t quite up for the very, very bumpy road that leads to the dunes… and my injured feet probably couldn’t take walking in them anyhow. But there is a big silver lining: injured feet are perfect for sitting down and reading a story, and the Kelso Depot Visitor Center in the Mojave National Preserve offers a space for just that.
The small library in the upstairs part of the Visitor Center is quite lovely, and offers several children’s books, as well as coffee table books with beautiful photographs of the desert and of the railroads. In the downstairs portion of the building, the children learn about desert animal tracks, the plants that thrive in the desert, and they get to try sitting on a saddle.
We enjoyed the visitor center and the view, but we didn’t do any hiking. It was cold, and my toes were still really sore. One day, I’d like to return and see more of this area, especially the sand dunes. The hiking in Mojave National Preserve looks incredible (when your feet permit you to do it).
Our first day in California was lovely, and we’re looking forward to seeing more of the Golden State‘s wonderful natural beauty.