A little late with this one, but I’ve managed to pass two major milestones in the past week. I’ve walked more than 200 miles and have more than 500,000 steps. I spent some of my time in brutal Washington, D.C., heat, but managed to get close to the White House and Washington Monument on an early morning walk.

Despite hitting the two milestones, I am still in California! I’ve passed Tehachapi and am closing in on Barstow. As I travel on along Highway 58, here are some points of interest in the area:

Mojave Air and Space Port: Located in the town of Mojave, this is a significant aerospace testing and development facility. While not open for public tours, you can often see unique aircraft and retired planes from the highway. The surrounding area is also known as a “plane graveyard” for older aircraft.

Borax Visitor Center (Boron): This visitor center offers an overlook of the largest open-pit borax mine in California, which is one of the world’s richest deposits. It provides a fascinating look into the history and process of borax mining.

Near Barstow:

California Route 66 Museum: Located in Barstow, this museum is a great stop for anyone interested in the history of the “Mother Road.”

Calico Ghost Town: A former silver mining town founded in 1881, Calico has been preserved and is now a county park. It’s a popular tourist attraction that provides a glimpse into California’s mining history.

By the numbers:

Miles traveled: 224.5

Miles to go: 2,700.9

Average miles needed to reach Statue of Liberty by 70th birthday (unofficial goal): 6.55