The Biggest, Fastest, Oldest, Smallest, to Biggest

Start your  trip on at the Rio Tinto Borax Mine visitor center.  The displays give insight into what all is made with boron and how the plant operates. Make sure to walk outside to the observation platform to take in the view of the largest boron mine in the world.  

As you drive down highway 58 you will go past Edwards AFB to the south.  This is where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. These skies have also been witness to the SR-71 Blackhawk flying at mach 3!

Take a breather from highway traffic and turn onto California City Blvd going north. Here you can easily turn off on a dirt road to inspect a Creosote Bush, one of the oldest living species on earth.  If you want to stretch your legs a bit more, hike up the southern Twin Butte for a great veiw of the dry lakebed that is home to the Edwards flight testing.  

While stopped look at smaller shrubs for the tiny flutter of the world's second smallest butterfly, the Western Pygmy Blue. Peak season is in the fall when they feed on fall blooming shrubs.

After a stop in town for lunch or a refreshment, continue on California City Blvd to 14 south and Mojave.  Here you can drive through the largest wind farm in the world.  A drive on Oak Creek Rd gives up close views of old and new turbines.