There was a thunderstorm last night. I managed to set up the tent and escaped in it before heavy rain started.
I was on top of a hill in a desert. There was a radio wave tower nearby. It must have a lighting rod, I thought. But everytime when the whole tent wall was flushed in the darkness, rumbling far or claping close, my eyes wide opened. I couldn't sleep till it finally finished.
It turned out fine next morning, but the tent was still wet. I had to wait for sunlight and dry it up again.
The blown sandy ground had been all covered with green moss in one night. Thorny flowers which looked completely dried up yesterday were now blooming in blue. Well, in fact I didn't look carefully yesterday. I hope it wasn't my imagination. (The blue color in the picture is a little emphasized as I saw.)
The route 201 was a way in a desert. The altitude went up from 1300m to nearly 1800m. It was still hot.
It was my first long run in a desert. I was exited. That was the view I had expected. That was the experience I had dreamed of.
Places where I could eat or shop were quite limited. My stomach had to follow the occasions for meals rather than its condition. I carried about 7 litters of water in maximum, and kept on supplying it.
There was thunderstorm again in the evening. I'd seen lighting in distance, waited near a petrol station and hid under the roof with other truck or tractor drivers. The workers kindly let me rest in the shop. I was a bit embarrassed though, since I hadn't taken shower for three days.
The rain stopped in about half an hour. The drivers started to leave. I left as well in the chilly air.
18 July 2008, 景泰〜（route201), 3721km
