Mileage - ~280 miles (via Death Valley and Inyokern)
We found a great little motel last night with a pool and Internet (hence the photos that should have made their way to you). We had some beers and Jaf bought some disgusting Budweiser mixed with some wierd spicy tomato juice. It was foul and I had bad guts all day today.
We spoke to Chris (who we're seeing in San Fran) last night who's off motorbike racing this weekend and then doing a three day off-road bike trip in Utah on Sunday. We basically had to make a decision to either rush over to Chris on Sunday and then face another long road trip with me mainly off-roading with Chris and Jaf driving a van around with all the 'girlfriends' OR getting to Chris later on next week (as originally planned). We didn't want to mess-up Chris's plans so we decided to slow down and to see more of the USA on our own. So, this morning we headed off to Death Valley where we spent many hours getting roasted. I now look like Michael Jackson with black and red patches on my head where my skin is peeling. Jaf has more of a lepper look going on.
Death Valley was mind-blowing. It can get up to 57C, luckily we only got to 32C (80F). There was a lot to see and as always we did our best to do it all in one day, including treks into the desert and off-roading in the Chevy. Again more photos to follow.
We headed West out of Death Valley up and down 6000ft on the best driving roads that I have seen so far in the US. Perfect tarmac and one bend after another with stunning views. Jaf was blown away by the scenery and got me to take a look. I basically missed a corner whilst looking over and went off the road narrowly missing a 1000ft drop! Still, no visible damage done which is a good thing as we didn't see another car for about 60 miles.
We did 280 miles today - it was a fantastic bonus day that we never planned on doing and was well worth it.
We're currently in a place called Inyokern California in a grotty but cheerful motel called the Mayfair. We've gone to a cool rock-bar for some food and are amazed to see how busy it is - cool, beers..
Highlights - Death Valley, Wills Fargo Motel in Baker, amazing mountain road heading West out of Death Valley with the tyres screeching for 20 mins, Mayfair Motel <$40 with old-style Cable TV that clicks when you hit the button, this bar, best burger yet flame-grilled behind us in the bar..
Lowlights - I got bad guts, Jaf buys me a water bottle that is cracked so I almost die of thirst in Death Valley, $4.30 per gallon in Death Valley which is a buck more than usual (you're not gonna argue though are you), nearly driving off a cliff, no GPRS to send email until now.
Tomorrow - getting back onto Route 66 at Barstow, getting through LA and finishing the Route at Santa Monica.
The trip is coming to an end, or is it. We're currently debating going down to San Diego and the Mexican border at Tijuana. We would then like to head back up California hugging the West Coast road all the way to San Francisco. We'll see how we get on.
Basically after New York / Washington, there was no 'wow-factor' until we got to Texas / New Mexico. Things are ace - we are loving it now that the sun is out.
Jaf and Andy.
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