In search for a shower we check out the lovely town of Mojave, buy some groceries, decline an overpriced shower and are surprised by hundreds of airplanes just sitting there on the other side of the railroad tracks. For lunch we stop at Redrock Basin, where we go for a nice hike and have a look at one of the neatest synforms in the nation. On our way to 29 Palms we drive what must be one of the straightest highways in America. Previously I gave this honor to the stretch from Mexican Hat to Monument Valley, but I think I have to reconsider. In 29 Palms jenny makes friends with the local gas station owner, who tells her where to buy everything from ice to greencards. Unfortunately, we couldn't persuade Mark to get a haircut. Since most of the Marines from 29 Palms are off fighting the prices for haircut are low, but not low enough for Mark, who  worked long and hard on his dreadlocks. This night we camp between huge granite boulders in Joshua Tree National Park.
Day 9 is a really bad hair day for Vickie.
Wind farm outside Mojave.
More weird stuff - hundreds of planes sitting in the desert.
Beth, Steve and Mark sketching one of the best synforms in the nation.
Hiking in Rainbow Basin National Area.	Mark playing rattlesnake.
Joan's highlight of the trip...	... student's highlight of the hike.	Collared lizard.
Driving along one of the straightest roads in the US - yes, it ends without much warning in a T-intersection.	Mark contemplating to make the barber work for his money.	Sam preparing his talk on the Salton Sea.
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