3000+ miles in 3 weeks, Route 66 & all that. Episode 16

[Sue]

Easter Monday 5th April

Ploughing on off Route 66, today's destination is Death Valley - I must admit this was somewhere I was ignorant of pre-trip and actually thought we were going to the salt flats where they do the land speed stuff (that's in Utah, not California I was informed).
Not much talkie today as it was another feast for the eyes later on, first we had more sleaze to wade through
On the road for 9am we had queried breakfast but had mucho mileage to cover. J was convinced that there was somewhere on route, so we set off with empty tums.
We had been lucky with the weather so far this trip - today was a really mixed start, overcast and windy but with the promise of some sun later. In truth, it was well into the afternoon before we got any of that.

On the way:





The "somewhere" on route, turned out to be a lovely (not) town called Pahrump, I kid you not. And if I thought that Vegas was tacky and sleazy, it has nothing on this place. Lots of "adult" stores,casinos and advertising, including these:





Alongside the best collection in one place of church signs that we saw all trip (maybe they need them lol):



We had seen several Sonic burger places on our travels and Charli had gone on for ages about wanting to try one, as they bring your food out to you on roller skates. As we could not find anywhere else, we called here and had a broad selection of breakfast meals, popcorn chicken and burgers. The food was not great tbh but surprisingly, the coffee was actually quite good - at least on a par with Starbucks - J had the whole car chuckling though as the sign said that to add an extra shot of espresso, you ask for a "Sonic Boom" Here is our server on the way:



We crossed over into California at some point:



Back on the road, the scenery started to change a bit as we entered Death Valley National Park and started to climb up to Dante's View:



It was a very twisty road and we just kept on climbing.
At the top, you can apparently (I think) see the lowest and highest points in North America?
It was SO windy on the top, it nearly blew me over, but for you dear readers, I braved it, to bring you these shots:







Here is proof of how high we were - that's metres btw:

[Sue]

Continued:

The few of us who left the car (me, Sally, Phil and J for a few seconds) then all got back in and descended the mountain to head for the salt flats below.



Some more nice scenery, as the weather started to improve:



Along the way, we saw another one of our animated clouds, this one is obviously the Scorpion:



Heading down to sea level:





And here we are at the very place:



And then we were heading alongside the salt flats and going below sea level all the way. This picture had to be taken as one was taken 4 years ago of Sally in the same spot:



Next stopping place was somewhere called the Devils' Golf Course:





Shark Cloud:



And then, the real tourist stopping place of Badwater Basin:

[Sue]

Continued:





A gold star for anyone who can spot the sea level sign (I'll give you a clue, it's blue!)



Rach and Sally pleased that it was warm and sunny at last:



Can I just say that if you do go here - be informed that there is NO running water or plumbing and that this means if you need the restroom - you will need to be able to hold your breath for a short while!

All sightseed out, we set off back on the long journey to LV, there was this fantastic road where (honestly Mr Policeman we really did stick to the speed limit) with lots of humps, that we 'Tiggered' down. We had so much fun that J turned the car round and we did it all over again



And here we saw - the previously mentioned Dinosaur on Skis:



There is a little town called Shoshone where we stopped for an icecream on the way back, there was not much there to write of, or photograph though. Back on the road, the light was starting to vary:



Even down at sea level, the salt and the desert does not prevent the flowers blooming in the Spring:



And I just had to take a photo of what I called my chocolate truffle mountain:



Back into Nevada:



And back into Vegas:

[Sue]

Continued:

Here is my montage of Vegas hotels, captured from the car on the way back to the hotel:















And back at the Stratosphere, we headed in the back entrance after parking up:



Rach and Phil were having the evening to themselves and so we made our arrangements for the morning before splitting up. All refreshed and changed. We made our way to Red Lobster for our evening meal (I'd been looking forward to this one all trip!):



J and I had the most fabulous cocktails. Sally ordered the lobster pizza for appetiser (it was seriously listed as a starter!). Sally's appetite and food intake is legendary and I was lucky to get a photo of half of it!:



J and I shared some coconut shrimp (voted better than Bahama Breeze) and some crab stuffed mushrooms to start with. Charli had the lemon sole, Sally the Salmon and Steak combo (and finished the lot plus half of a pud she shared with Charli). J had the shrimp stuffed tilapia and I had the peach bourbon shrimp and scallops in bacon. Simply divine:



Back to the Stratosphere as Sally wanted to do the coasters at the top. I love coasters but I don't do heights - especially when it means literally hanging over the top of the building!
We went up the tower:



The Insanity ride - the one where it's like a claw and it manouvres you over the edge of the tower and then tilts you face down was closed due to the high winds, much to Sal's disappointment She thought the one that just shoots you up too tame, so opted for rhe X-Scream instead. This one just shoots you the the end of a steel rod thing that lips off the tower and then slams you to a halt!
We went to the Observation deck to watch but it was all roped off and they had security keeping a close eye on you, we just could not see her!
That glowing rod thing on the right is the ride!



J would have bought the ride photo but it gave you no clue as to where she actually was - tbh she could have been on any coaster anywhere and they wanted $16 for the photo (more than the ride cost?) She knows she did it and that's what counts.

Back in the room for 10.30 - due to the time difference it was already working time in Europe by then and he needed to do a fair bit of work. I read for a bit and fell asleep around midnight - J apparently stayed up working until 1.30am!

10am start planned, we have 2 and half days before we have reservations at hotel at journey's end and no clue what is between there and Kingman. Fun in store?

Mileage today = 352

Total so far = 3439

Tomorrow - leaving the sleaze and breathing fresh air again back on Route 66.

[purple myra]

Death Valley looks fantastic, great photos.
I'm hoping to be brave enough to do some of the thrill rides at the Stratosphere

[sue.o]

Another great day with lovely photos! We stayed in Death Valley for a night last year and the year before and it was lovely - so quiet, hot though even in May. To go from DV to LV is a shock that I won't be repeating! Looking forward to more!

[Guest]

Fab scenery. Your meal looks and sounds delicious

[Sue]

Originally Posted by purple myra

Death Valley looks fantastic, great photos.
I'm hoping to be brave enough to do some of the thrill rides at the Stratosphere

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It's official - you are quite mad!

Did you 'get' the dinosaur on skis? J could not get it, but the rest iof us did

[Sue]

Originally Posted by sue.o

Another great day with lovely photos! We stayed in Death Valley for a night last year and the year before and it was lovely - so quiet, hot though even in May. To go from DV to LV is a shock that I won't be repeating! Looking forward to more!

See more...

Thanks Sue - did you stay at that place near the Sea Level sign?

And I obviously agree on the DV and LV contrast!

[sue.o]

We stayed at Stovepipe Wells which is the cheaper of the places to stay (it wasn't cheap though!). It was quite basic but clean and amazing to listen to the silence and look at the sky without any light pollution! We loved it! Oh I so want to go back!