Leading westward from Flagstaff, Arizona, Interstate 40 passes through a scenic landscape of meadows and ponderosa pine forests. Beyond Williams, the highway leaves this lofty terrain and descends into a broad swath of open parklands and low ridges; covered by juniper shrubs; this attractive ecosystem generally ranges in elevation from 3000 to 4000 feet.
Nearing Kingman, the highway drops further into the bleak landscape of the Mojave Desert, bordered by high but treeless ranges. Three hours later, during which we crossed the Colorado River south of Needles, California, we finally escaped the Mojave west of Barstow; we then followed Interstate 15 westward to Cajon Pass and descended into the Los Angeles basin.
One cannot fully appreciate the dimensions and severity of a desert without driving across it; even today, with our modern, air-conditioned vehicles, it is a tiring experience. We can only begin to imagine the challenges endured by those who used horses and wagons to make the journey.
