Leaving San Francisco was a bit sad but i know i will go back and spend more time there. It is one of the worlds wonderful cities. I removed the liner from my jacket for the first time on this trip and discarded the thermals. I crossed the Bay Bridge it is very impressive 13 miles long i think i could be wrong though, not for the first time. i trundled along the east bound interstate towards Yosemite, the road didnt become interesting till reaching Chinese Camp. What a days riding through valleys and over high passes always winding from sweeping bends to tight bends with nothing but a void on one side. The high Sierras are amazing desert at altitudes above 3000 metres, rock formations that look like they have been strategically placed. On one of my many photo stops going over the Tioga pass, i had just pulled over, putting the bike on the side stand a gust of wind caught us unawares and Herbert toppled over. i jumped clear, but poor Herbert looked like an upside down turtle. After unsuccessfully trying to right him another biker appeared I flagged him down and we got him upright again.
After a short chat and an invite to join him and his three other friends in Benton Hot Springs he departed and i continued to take photos. I had turned off the fuel but forgot to turn it back on as i scratched my head, I coasted in angel gear down the pass, fantastic fun and great fuel economy. The road to Benton again was amazing ,fantastic views and fun rollercoster surface. The hotel was equally so, all the rooms were taken but a campsite was available. Each site had its own private hot tub with spring water. A fun night was had, but i had to walk back to the campsite, along the highway with a borrowed white bathrobe at 1 am. Of course a car had to go by, the look on the faces of the people in the car said it all.
The next day i headed to Death Valley, how hot could it be i thought. The scenery once again was majestic, inspiring and the weather was hot, really hot. I thought i had experienced some hot weather in Australia well even hot here is hotter. By the time i had reached Furnace Creek very apt it was 124 deg F about 51 deg C at 200 feet below sea level without any air movement, it was something i dont really want to do again in a hurry. By the time i had reached Shoshone it was positively chilly at 105, i decided to stay in town and head to Las Vegas tomorrow, an early start should see me in Las Vegas by 12. Heres hoping it wont be as hot tomorrow, not much chance of that.
