Death Valley Trip

[SNC1923]

Went on a great ride this past weekend to Death Valley with a really great group from BMWRT.com. In spite of numerous warnings of closed and damaged roads due to torrential California storms, I decided to go along on this ride—my first with a large group of riders from around the southwest.

This picture of "Lake Denny's" in Baker had me worried, but as it turned out, it was the last water I saw for four days.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14389112-L.jpg

There were miles and miles of this beautiful desert scenery.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14389176-L.jpg

A perennial favorite, Scotty's Castle in the northern end of the park.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14390690-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393419-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14390680-L.jpg

One of the most interesting places to visit in DV is the ghost town of Rhyolite. Here are a few shots from there.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14392026-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14392033-L.jpg

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14392039-L.jpg

Just around the corner from Scotty's is an impressive natural wonder called the "Ubehebe Crater." This is a picture of one of its walls.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14392053-L.jpg

Another really interesting site is the Harmony Borax Works in Mustard Canyon, just north of Furnace Creek. Chinese workmen hauled tons of this stuff through the desert on one of these wagons hitched to a team of twenty mules.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393438-L.jpg

FirstGear riding suit -- $500
Garmin GPS -- $700
'04 RT -- $15,000
Watching your buddy fill his Yamaha 3 times to your one -- priceless

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14390669-L.jpg

Of course, to pay for some cool twisties, there were some daunting straightaways

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393893-L.jpg

Some of the scenery heading over to Cerr Gordo Peak

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393542-L.jpg

Wonderful sweepers going over Cerro Gordo Peak

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393891-L.jpg

Love this new bike

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393537-L.jpg

Yours truly taking a windy break on the way to Lone Pine. I may ride Metzlers, but I bear a striking resemblence to the Michelin Man.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393897-L.jpg

A nice shot of Lake Isabella, just outside of Bakersfield, 30 minutes from home

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393907-L.jpg

Four days of gorgeous weather in the desert comes to an end as I descend into the ubiquotous winter fog of southern-central California. Brrrrr.

http://SNC1923.smugmug.com/photos/14393914-L.jpg

In all, it was a great trip with beautiful scenery, winding roads, interesting sites, cold beer, and fun beemer riders.

[Bob_M]

Great photos
Thanks for sharing :thumb

[John Ephlin]

Tom: Having lived in Las Vegas NV for almost 25 Years, your ride report brings back fond memories. I have have been all over that country many times , I am surprised you didn't get up too Beaty and take a picture of the air plane. Thanks for a wonderful report.

[kbasa]

T minus 7 days!!!! :clap :clap

Hi Rob!

[Usedtopilot]

Gorgeous pictures! The crater and Lake Isabella were particularly beautiful.

[BMWBeauty]

Gorgeous Photos... :thumb Thanks For Sharing... :)

[Dave92029]

Tom

Your photos capture the beauty of DV and give a sense of why we ride. Thanks

Come back and visit with us for DVD in a week. Hope the warm weather holds.

Dave Mishalof
Escondido, CA

[kbasa]

How'd the campground look?

dave

[riderR1150GSAdv]

Very nice photo's :thumb :thumb .Beautifull scenery :clap :clap

[BradfordBenn]

Here I am stuck in Anaheim on business without a ride, just hours away from that fun. :cry

[SNC1923]

How'd the campground look?

dave

Oh, I hoteled it. Had a great experience at the Exchange Club. Pretty much everything looks normal. There's some water on the ground, actually lakes in places--pretty wild. But I didn't hear anything about campground closures. Should be great next weekend.

Have a blast.

[ian408]

Nice report and pitchas! Lake Isabella looks beautiful!

Ian