Once this region lay beneath a great sea but violent earth movements and volcanic action created many sharp peaks. Through the hundreds of centuries these peaks eroded and formed the wide valley of this great desert. It is a region of memorable desolation and shimmering heat, yet after its occasional rains the floor of the desert is dotted with flowers. Occasionally you pass 'dry lakes' where water collects during rain and later evaporates, leaving mineral deposits behind. Now Route 66 snuggles up to I-40 and the Santa Fe RR tracks.
Mountains are bare, brown, big and beautiful, close on south side, farther away on north side.
Goffs General store, Pat Payne, owner, welcomed me. The original store has been there in her family for a number of years. This area was once a cultural center - the Governor once stopping a train going through to give a speech. Across the road is the Goffs Old Schoolhouse, headquarters for the Friends of the Mojave Road. After Goffs, I-40 speeds you up the hill and down into the beautiful Colorado River valley and Needles.