This is the last leg of my tour and to my surprise a 30mph tail wind. Not a side wind, full on tail wind, hallelujah! I stopped for a coffee at Amargosa cafe and opera house. I thought about staying in the hotel, $100 per night, nope. I was about to head out, then I saw a giant dust cloud heading my way. My tail wind changed direction, now a 40 mph head wind carrying sand and debris. I waited 2 hours for the sand storm to clear, but it was still super windy. It was too unsafe to ride into Death Valley. So I hitchhiked in and we picked up another bike tour guy along the way.
I love Death Valley, in the winter. It’s a comfortable 70-75 F (21-23C). The Oasis resort has a warm spring fed swimming pool. A local made a comment that “Death Valley is the only place in California without a water problem.” I’m not sure that’s true?
The park service offers various hikes so I biked out to Golden Canyon for a hike. Then I continued my bike ride to the Artist Pallet loop.
I was pretty lazy, watching sports, swimming in the pool and kicking a few. I met Lucas from North Carolina, he offered me a ride to Las Vegas, super. He was in Death Valley for a marathon, (no thanks).
Lucas was a Carolina Panthers fan, so we had to leave early for Vegas. We shared a hotel room but he had to leave the next day. We went to Banger Brewpub, where he met a women, and the rest is history (Banger). I stayed in “old” Vegas, at a “budget” hotel.
I met up with Portland icon, Rev. Phil. His wife manages the EROTIC HERITAGE MUSEUM, I had to go. Also saw the Puppetry of the Penis stage show too (I can check it off the list now).
My computer is messing up again, so I have to end this for now. I have a video of the Artist Pallet Drive, I will post it when I’m up and working again.
Thanks
Jeff
Next: Summary of 4 month bike adventure Portland OR. to Death Valley.
Death Valley. I cannot imagine how it is to bike there. Can You imagine that in Finland, people bike even in winter and snow.
Happy 2018.