06/10/2006. Ridgecrest CA. Surviving Death Valley

Hello again, No internet access in Furnace Creek so this is the first chance I've had to get online. Where did I leave you? That's right, I was on my way to DV. Let me tell you, the drive there is amazing but the place itself is fascinating. 200 metres below sea level and hot. Not too hot, about 95 when I got there I think but very dry. Driving through the desert is a spooky experience I reckon, just nothing around you just mountains in the distance and flat land for miles and miles at one stop, there was this complete silence. In the middle of the afternoon and all I could hear was my own breathing. No traffic, no birds, nothing. Just beautiful. The poor old Toyota Truck struggled getting up some of the climbs to get through the mountains. Best I could do at one oint was about 35 MPH, kept in third gear, foot to the floor. All the bastard giant V8 trucks and cars kept zooming past me. Whe I mention trucks, I mean pickups and 4WD's of all descriptions, but all blody huge...I love it! Once I got to the hotel (Ranch) I put my stuff down, grabbed the camera and took off to Zabriskie Point ( had to go because of the movie). ZP is a lookout into the valley and I made it there shortly before sundown. it was sublime. I think I got some ripper photos. The only thing that gave me the shits was the german tourists yabbering away, spoiling the moment. It's been fun getting other tourists to take my photo and doing the same for them in return. Didn't get one from the Germans, don;t think they would have understood me! Have I mentioned the latest candy bars? Lets see, There's the 100 grand bar. Soft whipped choc inside a chocolate skin, lovely. Reece's Peanut Butter cups. Like a little tart of peanut butter in a chocolate casing, Not bad, different. Had dinner at the Ranch lst night and was served by a guy who spoke like Principle Skinner from the Simpsons. Good waiter though. Looked more like a schoolteacher! Anyway, just about out of time. There are many things that I have left out due to time and alzheimers but I'll try to add a special "summary edition" later. Thanks for all your messages by email and SMS. It's great to get them after a day of lone wolfin'. Time's just about up so this is Mexicali Mike signing off to head on down to Carls Jr for a burger dinner! XXX