Mojave Desert, the Land of Extremes

Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert is renowned for its extreme temperatures and unique geography, holding some of the most impressive records on Earth. It is famous for having the hottest air temperature and surface temperature ever recorded, and it also contains the lowest point in North America—282 feet below sea level at Badwater Basin in Death Valley.

World’s tallest Thermometer 

On October 24, 2021, as Harvinder and me passed by the Mojave Desert, we encountered one of its most iconic landmarks: the World’s Tallest Thermometer in Baker, California. At 2:46 PM, the thermometer displayed a temperature reading of 80°F. This towering structure is a tribute to the extreme heat that the region experiences, particularly the record-breaking temperature of 134°F (56.67degree Centigrade) that was recorded in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913, one of the highest temperatures ever documented on Earth.

The thermometer itself is an engineering marvel. Made of steel and weighing an incredible 76,812 pounds, it is anchored by 125 cubic yards of concrete. Standing 134 feet tall, the structure is a direct reference to the scorching 134°F temperature that made history. It is not only a practical weather sign but also a symbol of the desert’s extremes, capable of displaying temperatures up to the 134°F mark.

Lone Joshua tree snapped on our way.

Located in the southeastern part of California, the Mojave Desert is home to several distinctive features, including the famous Joshua tree, which grows almost exclusively in this region. The Joshua tree’s twisted, spiky appearance has become emblematic of the desert landscape, symbolizing both the harshness and beauty of this arid environment.

Happiness is writ large on our faces as a $20 Dollar bill was found lying on the floor of Livermore Gas Station with no one around.

As we started from our home, we had to fill up gas tank in our Mercedes GL450, God gifted us $20 bill lying on the ground at the gas station in pitch dark early morning. I recall Harvinder’s Mom gave us $20 bills each to play on Slot Machines when proceeding for Sin city, on our first visit to US in 1988. Perhaps she had sent us this money from heavens.