dryfj.com / drycyclist.com (kevin cook)

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Baker's "world's tallest thermometer" says that it's 50 degrees F this morning

06295-tallest-thermometer-550px.jpg Leaving the Royal Hawaiian Motel in Baker to start my Mojave National Preserve tripThumbnailsLeaving Baker on Kelbaker Road and crossing the Interstate 15 freeway to enter Mojave National PreserveLeaving the Royal Hawaiian Motel in Baker to start my Mojave National Preserve tripThumbnailsLeaving Baker on Kelbaker Road and crossing the Interstate 15 freeway to enter Mojave National PreserveLeaving the Royal Hawaiian Motel in Baker to start my Mojave National Preserve tripThumbnailsLeaving Baker on Kelbaker Road and crossing the Interstate 15 freeway to enter Mojave National PreserveLeaving the Royal Hawaiian Motel in Baker to start my Mojave National Preserve tripThumbnailsLeaving Baker on Kelbaker Road and crossing the Interstate 15 freeway to enter Mojave National PreserveLeaving the Royal Hawaiian Motel in Baker to start my Mojave National Preserve tripThumbnailsLeaving Baker on Kelbaker Road and crossing the Interstate 15 freeway to enter Mojave National Preserve

Before leaving town, I visit Coco's restaurant for a big, tasty, lumberjack breakfast. I'm surprised that so many restaurants are open here on Xmas day, and Coco's is packed. I'm obviously not the only tourist "stuck" in Baker en route to somewhere else.

I also stop at the "Country Store" to buy four 1.5-litre bottles of water and a small bottle of brandy.

While still at the motel earlier, I put several litres of water in my big 10-litre water bag and filled my two-litre Camelbak.

I think I'm ready to head out now. Judging by the wind blowing this tree's foliage, it looks like I'll have the wind behind me; great!