Death, Fire and a Dam
Death, Fire and a Dam
Death Valley has been an annual trek since 2007…this year, however, it was a 2-up ride that also included touring Hoover Dam and the Valley of Fire state park. Five days total, 1600 miles. Electrics and dueling 'stiches solve the climate issues; The Hammer was, well, The Hammer...performs flawlessly, comfortable, quick and a great 2-up machine. It handles the "straight, flat and boring" with aplomb, yet goes as fast as you'd like thru the twisties.
Death Valley is vast, and there's only so much you can do in the time allotted. We opted to stay in the park this year and were not disappointed, although it is expensive. Next year, we'll probably try to explore the back country more...always more to see!
Of course, Mr. Happy Puppet had to come along…
Through Gila Bend on Old Route 80
Be honest, you want one… Heading to the VW gathering at Lake Havasu.
Mr. Happy takes a break.
Home of the burros.
The first night is at the Colorado Belle in Laughlin. Dedicated bike parking, a brew pub, a new restaurant with a nice view of the river that is actually quite good, and $20 rooms this time of year.
The next morning takes us through the chilly Nipton valley (34 degrees!) and past the Ivanpah Solar plant. Even this time of year the desert is an area of extremes; we'd hit 79 degrees on the way home.
Try as I might, I was unable to arrange a tour of this facility…they don't answer calls or email. There's a fair amount of controversy surrounding the site, from both sides of the political spectrum, so I imagine they are not looking for more publicity. On the ground, there's a "lake" of mirrors that focuses the sunlight on those towers, which in turn heats a liquid that runs turbines to produce electricity.
The southern gateway to Death Valley.
Rover is about to get strafed.
On to Badwater, the lowest, hottest, driest spot in North America.
Next stop, Artist Drive. The pictures don't do the colors justice, it is truly spectacular.
Furnace Creek Ranch…literally, an oasis in the desert and our stop for the evening.
The Hammer at rest. We stayed in one of the cottages…all the lodging in the park is overpriced, but the ambiance is special. Decent restaurant on site, and the staff could not be friendlier.
Mr. Happy says, "finally!"
Dante's View…a 5000 foot cliff overlooking Badwater.
Oooooops….not mine ;)
A tour of Scotty's Castle. What you can do with someone else's money and a really good story…
Here lies Scotty…
The Ubehebe Crater
Snapping photos is HARD work…
Heading to Boulder City, the Boulder Dam Hotel and Hoover Dam.
The Powerplant tour is worth the time.
It is difficult to show the size of these generators. See the small red generator that looks like it is embedded in the floor? That's the first generator installed at Hoover Dam, it is still operational and provides ALL the power necessary to run the Dam itself.
Each block is a 5 foot cube.
The new bridge carries all the traffic, but you can still walk/drive over the dam.
Think we're in a drought? 40 years ago, the water level came to within 7 feet of the top of the dam.
Heading north and east around Lake Mead takes you to the Valley of Fire state park. Several beaches and boat docks were closed because the water level no longer reaches them.
Boulder City was built to build the Dam…now, it is a quaint little village with an historic hotel and art on every corner.
Required bike shot with mural…
A parting shot…just could not resist!
Death Valley has been an annual trek since 2007…this year, however, it was a 2-up ride that also included touring Hoover Dam and the Valley of Fire state park. Five days total, 1600 miles. Electrics and dueling 'stiches solve the climate issues; The Hammer was, well, The Hammer...performs flawlessly, comfortable, quick and a great 2-up machine. It handles the "straight, flat and boring" with aplomb, yet goes as fast as you'd like thru the twisties.
Death Valley is vast, and there's only so much you can do in the time allotted. We opted to stay in the park this year and were not disappointed, although it is expensive. Next year, we'll probably try to explore the back country more...always more to see!
Of course, Mr. Happy Puppet had to come along…
Through Gila Bend on Old Route 80
Be honest, you want one… Heading to the VW gathering at Lake Havasu.
Mr. Happy takes a break.
Home of the burros.
The first night is at the Colorado Belle in Laughlin. Dedicated bike parking, a brew pub, a new restaurant with a nice view of the river that is actually quite good, and $20 rooms this time of year.
The next morning takes us through the chilly Nipton valley (34 degrees!) and past the Ivanpah Solar plant. Even this time of year the desert is an area of extremes; we'd hit 79 degrees on the way home.
Try as I might, I was unable to arrange a tour of this facility…they don't answer calls or email. There's a fair amount of controversy surrounding the site, from both sides of the political spectrum, so I imagine they are not looking for more publicity. On the ground, there's a "lake" of mirrors that focuses the sunlight on those towers, which in turn heats a liquid that runs turbines to produce electricity.
The southern gateway to Death Valley.
Rover is about to get strafed.
On to Badwater, the lowest, hottest, driest spot in North America.
Next stop, Artist Drive. The pictures don't do the colors justice, it is truly spectacular.
Furnace Creek Ranch…literally, an oasis in the desert and our stop for the evening.
The Hammer at rest. We stayed in one of the cottages…all the lodging in the park is overpriced, but the ambiance is special. Decent restaurant on site, and the staff could not be friendlier.
Mr. Happy says, "finally!"
Dante's View…a 5000 foot cliff overlooking Badwater.
Oooooops….not mine ;)
A tour of Scotty's Castle. What you can do with someone else's money and a really good story…
Here lies Scotty…
The Ubehebe Crater
Snapping photos is HARD work…
Heading to Boulder City, the Boulder Dam Hotel and Hoover Dam.
The Powerplant tour is worth the time.
It is difficult to show the size of these generators. See the small red generator that looks like it is embedded in the floor? That's the first generator installed at Hoover Dam, it is still operational and provides ALL the power necessary to run the Dam itself.
Each block is a 5 foot cube.
The new bridge carries all the traffic, but you can still walk/drive over the dam.
Think we're in a drought? 40 years ago, the water level came to within 7 feet of the top of the dam.
Heading north and east around Lake Mead takes you to the Valley of Fire state park. Several beaches and boat docks were closed because the water level no longer reaches them.
Boulder City was built to build the Dam…now, it is a quaint little village with an historic hotel and art on every corner.
Required bike shot with mural…
A parting shot…just could not resist!
