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2010-01-22 Death Valley Daze

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published by dcarver on Sat, 02/19/2011 - 21:33
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dCarver's rides

Death Valley Daze with Zonies

With all the smack going down by RenoJohn, and not wanting to be *proven* a kitten, I decided to 'man up' and make the trek. Until I saw the forecast that is, at which time my mangina took over. But then Toecutter called, said, "Hey, what time do we meet up?" and I was back to being a man again. Wabs rear knobbie was about 75% gone, and the new one didn't arrive in time for a replacement, due to UPS refusing to run up my dirt road for fear of getting stuck. Like they did several weeks before; so it was Wabs on a fading rear or don't go at all and be a kitten. Meow. This would come back to bite me later. Kittens have teeth you know..

Friday Morning Leaving out, hiway 58 East of Creston by about 20 miles. This is the most rain we'd had for over 5 years. If you've never ridden 58 from the 5 junction west, you owe it yourself to do so. If this road doesn't make you smile, even if wet, cold, hungry, and dark, then you *are* a kitten.

The first leg was meet ToeCutter at Denny's in Bakersfield, CA for lunch. This would come out later too.

After lunch at good old Denny's, I ate Swis-cheese mushroom-burger while smart and skinny and in shape Toecutter had a salad, we were off.
This was a sign of things to come (road closure).

Alternate route planned, we continued up Ca 14 northbound

Through Searles valley to park entrance. I think this path is the best DV has to offer.

Toecutter in flight

Approaching Towhnshend pass, west side of DV.

I hadn't felt good from about 1 hour after eating the Denny's burger, my guts were hurting real bad, like two severe kidney punches,and I had been squeezing cheeks to keep from sharting my britches. The last gas stop in Trona was very difficult too; the credit card wouldn't work. Got another one out, it worked, but the gas pump lever was broken. Push the bike to another pump, dropped my glove. Reached down to pick it up and "Oh shit, did I just crap my pants" thought train happened. Then I couldn't find my keys. I muttered out loud "Why am I having all this trouble? Why is everything, I mean *everything* so damn difficult?

Toecutter, relaxed on bike in the Iron Butt Hotel mode, casually says "Hey, I just asked my GPS the fasted route to the Longstreet". 
"Yeah, what's it say" I foolishly ask.
"Travel without Carver" Toe gleefully replies, unaware of my intenalized trauma.

Toe and I arrived at the Longstreet after dark, just in the nick time for the burger to reach full ecoli fruition. I didn't have dinner, didn't party with good peeps, just stayed in the room with both ends running full throttle until about 11pm. Toecutter doesn't like loud pipes, so he left after the first round, muttering something about something.

To be continued.

Submitted by dcarver on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 09:19.

..this was the best DV trip ever, scenery wise!

Submitted by dcarver on Thu, 10/13/2011 - 16:16.

Saturday Morning
Next morning, Toe casually asks
"Say, how's that bed? It's the only thing you've expereinced since you've been here!"
You just gotta love a dry sense of humor. Shit, at the time, I'd of been happy just to have a dry fart.

Anyway, no kitten here, Saturday morning dawned bright and early with the promise of new day and some riding. I took a roll of TP with me, just in case. Kittens come prepared.

First stop Dantes View. BeemerDons and Reena.

Then to Badwater

Then to Furnace Creek for coffee. The gang hangs out.

Hycle

EekSnake

Fairlaner

SkooterG

x

x

x

x

x

x

I'm woozy and getting greener by the second. Not very social when I don't feel good. Sorry guys.

x

The gang was headed off to Scotties Castle, I said bye to everyone fully intending to head back to the comfort of my new throne back at the Longstreet. Then, I decided 'just phuck it'. I'm sick, get over it. So what. Be sick in Death Valley and see stuff like you may never see it again. Live the day. Poop your pants if need be. Make lemonade when delt lemons. So I decided to run north up to Stove Pipe Wells, scout out any dirt roads, take some photos, get into the 'explatory' mode, see parts of DV I'd not been to.

Arriving at Stove Pipe, guess who is there? The entire gang! Jeesh, these guys don't go far without stopping. Had a great conversation with a Beemerite, Dave, from Vancouver Island, IIRC.
BeemerDons and Orestes

x

Reena, BeemerDons, Orestes

Heading back South, looking for dirt roads. Most all dirt rides were closed due to recent rains.

The Borax mine road was open though.. 

Camground Hunting
I want to bring the camper with trailer and bike and spend more than 2 days in DV, so I went looking for campgrounds, found this one.

And I found a happy camper too

Up above Furnace Creek resort - see the star? I'd like to see it lit at night.

Still looking for an open dirt road.

Hey, Echo Canyon, this will do! Let's see what's uphead. I mean, like how bad can it get?

Submitted by dcarver on Fri, 10/14/2011 - 04:14.

Sunday, heading home.
Toecutter wanted to leave via the north east route, then drop into Scotties Castle before turning west. He said it was 'fairly nice ride'. Yeah, right. Toe, if that's 'fairly' nice, what does fantastic look like?

Gas stop in Beatty.

95 north, IIRC, Toe in stride.

Toe's Zenwhipper moment.
TC found 265, it runs south to Scotties Castle. We were there for about 30 minutes, no cars. No burros. No nothing. Nice.

Then west bound.

A couple miles East of Panamint Springs. Check out the water!

Out of the park, heading towards Olancha

It should be a blast to see DV in March, hopefully the wildflowers will be out in force. The Zonies are a great bunch of guys, I enjoyed meeting and talking with many of them, they are true riders with a wonderful sense of adventure. And the koolaid? It ain't bad either, evidently! rolleyes.gif

That's all folks - see you in March.

 

 

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