2007 Death Valley

Arlo Guthrie, The Motorcycle Song

	We have a few days off, so let's go riding in Death Valley. I have always wanted to do it, and now is the chance. Sure don't want to go there in July! Riding on December 30, 2007
	OK, I left the hotel at 7:30 AM. The pond outside our room was frozen! It is well below freezing! I couldn't have ridden if not for my full face helmet, heavy rough-rider gloves, thermal underwear and determination!
	I am in the Park now and it is warmer. No problem. Blood has returned to my hands. This is a viewpoint and the speck on the hill in the middle is a person!
	Looking back from Zabriskie Point to the parking lot.
	Yeah, I'm here!
	Furnace Creek Inn. Nice resort.
	The ol' borax wagons.
	Furnace Creek Ranch. Store, restaurants, etc.
	Pretty "cool" Museum.
	Ranger Alan giving his talk "101 ways to die in Death Valley". I am not making that up! ps #1 way to die is drive too fast, get distracted. go onto dirt shoulder, panic, hit brakes, turn wheel and roll the car over. Happened twice this week. He says since there are no buildings or trees along side the road to give you a sense of speed, people drive way too fast. Plus the roads are really long and straight!
	Typical abandoned borax place.
	Don't expect much at Stove Pipe Wells. Store, restroom, gas. That's it.
	See the dust from the dirt road. I flew up the road!
	Nice trail between interesting rock formations.


	Giddy up!
	Devil's Corn Field.
	Salt Creek. I learned at the Visitor's Center that some plants can survive with 5-6% salt water, but at 7% nothing will grow.
	Beats the 20 mule team, I suppose!
	This is Artist's Palette on Artist's Drive, a one way road. The photo does not do it justice. Each hill is a distinctively different color.
	Self explanatory. Why are so many things here named "Devil"? Could it be that people associate the hottest place on earth with the Devil?
	"Don't drink the water"
	Back at our hotel, Longstreet Hotel and Casino in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. Nice 215 mile motorcycle ride today. There will be no "cow tipping" here! If you don't know what that is, well, ask me.
The End