Day 19 -20 Las Vegas to Death Valley
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2007
1
7
69
Trip End
Dec 19, 2008
Death Valley,
California,
United States
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
"Bright lights big city gonna sell my soul.."
Woke up like a bear with a sore head but that wasn't gonna stop me
enjoying the last bit of Las Vegas. Had another crack at the slot
machines (5c a go..yes I know its abit exhuberant) and lost another
$20. Gamblings a mugs game anyway. Then a mission to find an internet
cafe to update this blog of mine. Again no mean feat in such a well
known city. It really is bloody hard to find a reasonable internet
cafe in the US
D Valley - Rock colouring at sunset
. Maybe its because everyone is wireless..but still apain. Cheapest I could find was $5 for 20 mins.
Just after lunch followed a 165 mile drive to Death Valley. Passed the
infamous Nellis Air Force Range Complex where the Yanks did their
Atomic Bomb testing and also in its northern area is the reputed Area
51. Sadly didn't see any bombs or Aliens so carried on driving.
Arrived in Death Valley in the evening and the temperature was still
112F. Found a nice spot to watch the sunset over Death Valley. Very
nice but it was abit like sitting in an oven with the fan on full
blast..damned hot wind. Tried to find a room within the park but
nothin doin so drove 50 miles away and found a decent room for $30.
D Valley - Abandoned mine
Plan is to look around Death Valley all day then drive the 280 miles
to Yosemite for 2 solid days of hiking and chillin.
God help me if the temperature reaches 50c tomorrow (as forecast).
Day 20 - Death Valley
"Like dust in the wind.."
Jesus Death Valley is hot and desolute. It gets its name from the
settlers trying to pass through to reach civilisation on the west
coast but many died here in the oppresive heat and there being no
water.
I went to loads of areas (mostly in the car..too hot to walk around)
like the valley which is just a vast empty and hot plain, then the
salt flats which is again a vast area with the odd pool of water
(salty), then onto endless deserts. Made the mistake of walking abit
too long in the desert with my sandals which flicked well hot sand on
the backs of my legs (well painful)
D Valley - Hmmm now where is that road again
.The temperature reached a personal record of mine..120F (50c). So hot
I'm sure it boils the brain in its shell (well it did mine anyway).
Next was a long 280 mile drive to the long awaited Yosemite National
Park. It was a tough drive through steep winding roads but with
gorgeous mountain scenery. Pased through some top named towns like
Little Pine, Big Pine and Lone Pine. As is becomimg habit I still
can't find a refreshing bottle of soda water anywhere during the
driving breaks.
Using some foresight I had already phoned ahead and managed to book a
camping tent for 3 nights within the park (result). Arrived at the
campsite at night and was well pleased with the tent which had
elecricity, beds, outside table and a BBQ area..all for $78 for two
D Valley - Hmmm where to go now
.Only worry was rampant Bears in the area. There are Bear warnings
everywhere.
It was too late for a BBQ so bought some packaged food and did some
star gazing. Campsite was well busy with Dudes and Dudettes sitting
around campfires strumming guitars and singing. I very nearly broke
into song but bit my tongue. Didn't want to lure the Bears with my
vocals. Tomorrow a full day of hiking is is on the cards. Can't wait.
