I walk the last 1/2 mile down the dirt road to my Cima Dome campsite for one last night in Mojave National Preserve

It has been a warm sunny day of blue skies (high 70s), but occasional dark clouds have been circling around, bringing random strong winds, and I'm even feeling a few sprinkles of rain on my way back to the tent.

I make it back to the tent at 18h45 and immediately put on a sweater and change into full-length blue jeans. I mindlessly stand outside for a while to absorb another desert sunset, happy to be here, but somewhat sad that this will be my last sleep-out in Mojave National Preserve before heading back to the world of employment and mortgages in San José.

After dark, I make Alpine Aire "Hurry Curry Chicken and Rice," which turns out to be excellent, and eat some turkey jerky. Dessert is granola and chili-lime cashews.

Lots of crickets sing happily and the warm evening (low 60s?) is mostly quiet, except for the occasional gust of wind, airplane flying overhead, or car driving up Cima Road half a mile away.