Day 20 – Las Vegas – Yosemite

DV Hillside Letters

Hillside letters proclaiming the entrance to Death Valley.
Hillside letters proclaiming the entrance to Death Valley.

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Amargosa Opera House

An unexpected sight: a fully working Opera House just down the road from the hottest place on earth. Transport to here could be a problem for those late night shows.
An unexpected sight: a fully working Opera House just down the road from the hottest place on earth. Transport here could be a problem for those late night shows.

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Death Valley Pay Station

The voluntary pay station where a motorbike ticket cost $10. Entering the public lavatories nearby was like stepping into hell, with a direct view through the toilet pan straight down into it.
The voluntary pay station where a motorbike ticket cost $10. Entering the public lavatories nearby was like stepping into hell, with a direct view through the toilet pan straight down into it.

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Zabriskie Point

A lookout point just before Furnace Creek. As we approached the turn-off I thought that there was no way we could stop and take a look around. Not with the heat of the valley ahead of us, I didn’t want us to overheat before we even started to cross the valley floor.

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View from Furnace Creek Inn

At Furnace Creek Hotel, gazing out across the vast valley floor ahead of us with the temperature at 102F and wondering if we'd done a wrong 'un coming along this route. Time to get moving before it got too much hotter.
At Furnace Creek Inn, gazing out across the vast valley floor ahead of us with the temperature at 102F and wondering if we’d done a wrong ‘un coming along this route. Time to get moving before it got too much hotter.

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Sea Level

Confirmation at Furnace Creek that we were at sea level. remembering of course to park off the pavement (the road to us Brits).
Confirmation at Furnace Creek that we were at sea level, remembering of course to park off the pavement (the road to us Brits).

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Death Valley Floor

The flat plains of Death Valley, 280ft below sea level and stretching for miles, bordered by mountains on either side. A wondrous place due to it's harshness.
The flat plains of Death Valley, 280ft below sea level and stretching for miles, bordered by mountains on either side. A wondrous place due to it’s harshness.

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View back to Death Valley

This is the point that I thought it would be safe to stop after riding through the low part of Death Valley without Jane toppling off the back of the bike through heat exhaustion. The view back was stunning.
This is the point that I thought it would be safe to stop after riding through the lowest part of Death Valley, without Jane toppling off the back of the bike through heat exhaustion. The view back was stunning.

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Iron Horse

Some cars had blankets on them - to keep the heat out. They looked like the automobile equivalent of an iron horse.
Some cars had blankets on them – to keep the heat out. They looked like the automobile equivalent of an iron horse.

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Lone Pine McDonalds

Even the views out of the local McDonalds are special in this part of the world.
Even the views out of the local McDonalds are special in this part of the world.

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Bristles

Pine trees sprouting from the rocky terrain gave the impression of a stubbly chin.
Pine trees sprouting from the rocky terrain gave the impression of a stubbly chin.

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Stunning Scenery

The landscape in Yosemite served up some spectacular views for us, like looking at a giant oil painting hung before us.
The landscape in Yosemite served up some spectacular views for us. It was like looking at a giant oil painting hung before us.

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Yosemite Sign

The entrance to Yosemite. A very popular stopping point for that tourist snap. So that's what we did!
The entrance to Yosemite. A very popular stopping point for that tourist snap. So that’s what we did!

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Bike at Yosemite Sign

Our trusty steed at the Yosemite sign. Still running well although getting a little dusty at the back end.
Our trusty steed at the Yosemite sign. Still running well although getting a little dusty at the back end.

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Westgate Lodge

Westgate Lodge
Westage Lodge in Yosemtite – the first motel-type building we stayed in. Picturesque setting although the facilities were not that great – the cold drinks machine was broken for a start.

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