Even though The Ig and I had seen plenty-o-wall by the time we hiked west from  Yumenguan (Jade Gate Pass), seeing it again as it is out here was a real rush. 

First, however, we had to somehow get past this rogue pack of donkeys.  Oooh, don’t let their cute, fuzzy faces fool you; they were foaming at the mouth and mad with rage as you can see in the photos below. 

                   

There wasn’t a whole lot out there to look at,

                                           

until, that is, we came across our first bits of wall. 

     

The mounds in the photos below might look like just dirt to yoos, but baby, it’s wall!

                      

                               

Below, you can see the still-intact bits peeking up from the mound.

                    

Here’s two ancient relics lying side by side.

                                             

We came across some unusual terrain out there.  Dubbed The Swamp, it was like being fly-sized and trying to cross a fossilized vat of cottage cheese. 

                     

The wall can barely be seen running up the hill in the distance, and after I took this photo I realized we were walking on what remained of this section of wall.  Almost completely destroyed, we scurried to the side so as not to damage it any further.  

                                              

This might be wall,

                                              

but this probably isn’t.

                                              

We were after wall in the distance,

                                              

and once we got there, we’re far from disappointed.  I am, however, disappointed I didn’t get a picture of Ig and I carving, “Ig and James wuz here” in the wall.

                     

      

                         

We weren’t sure if these were fort remains, but I snapped a few pics anyhoo.

     

Here’s something exciting; finding the wall by it’s tell-tale straw lines.

                                                 

Here’s that pesky fence we climbed under and failed to mention at our “interrogation.”

                                            

It looked like fort remains beyond the fence, but we didn’t think so once we arrived.

     

Off we tramped, because we could see a beacon tower off in the distance.

                                          

First, however, we had to cross another Swamp.

                              

Although I fell and twisted my ankle, the payoff was huge.

     

Here’s a buncha beacons off in the distance.

                              

We’re not sure whether these lumps of straw were part of the wall, a fort, or something else, but it’s quite impressive it’s still around.

     

And here, once again, are the tell-tale straw lines of the wall…soooo cool!

                              

I might look dejected sitting here eating my trail bar for dinner, but I can assure you I was in Nirvana swaddled in the warm sun and remains of the nearby wall.

                                           

These photos of the moon,

                                           

and stars

                                            

might not look like much, but they were taken on a regular camera; without the light pollution they actually showed up.

Here we are at the Jade Gate Pass.  Notice I’m questioning what’s left of my sanity and putting a handgun to my head.

                     

Here’s the road outta Yumenguan.

                   

And on the main road heading into Dunhuang.

                   

                              

And a few between Dunhuang and Jiayuguan.

                        

I’d always wanted to see a field of windmills, but I never imagined it’d be in China’s desert.  Notice the new and the old in the 2nd photo.

                                   

And last but not least, a few more lonely remains.