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.