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This
is the day we are all dreading, nearly 400 miles through
the hottest place in America - DEATH VALLEY. We set off
early at 5.00a.m., hoping to reach Death Valley before the
sun has climbed too high. Over Deadman's Ridge at
8,000 feet. Mountain peaks with snow patches dappling their
summits. We pass Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake then spot a
sign for Owen's Lake. Must be named after my nephew - Owen
Wapshaw in Australia. Dawn touching the mountains on our
left - a flare of pink. Not a cloud in the sky. Short break
for breakfast at Lone Pine, time is passing, it is already
hot and we are still at 5,000 feet!
Take Rt 136 into Death Valley Nature Reserve, descend rapidly
from 5,000 to sea level. Temperature soaring to118 F in
the shade. Stop at Furnace Creek and have a quick shower.
The
names are enough to strike dread into your heart,
Furnace Creek, The Devil's Golf Course,
Funeral Peak.
We
take the loop off 190 running down Death Valley
itself. Peter wants to have a photocall at the lowest
point in the U.S.A. having already been at the highest
driveable point. It is incredibly hot and nothing
to see but salt and sand and a sign thoughtfully
placed for any persons stupid enough to attempt
driving Death Valley in the summer in open cars.
The cars pose dutifully in front of it, 280 feet
below sea level.
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Welcome shower
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| Hell
on Earth
I
don't know if the pictures convey the impression
of the heat. I'm thinking that this would not be
a good place to breakdown when the car suddenly
gives a hiccough and splutters then picks up. My
heart misses a beat and I gingerly ask Peter what's
wrong. As usual he just mutters and I catch something
about fuel evaporation or is it vaporisation.
We lurch onwards, the tension rising in the cockpit
as the engine struggles for air, or would that be
fuel? We are now slowly climbing out of the valley,
have to get back up to 3,000 feet. About half
a mile from the top she gives up altogether. "Has
to be the condenser". Our in-house mechanic
Philip and Peter pour over the car and pontificate.
The Verdict - let her cool for a few minutes and
try again. How does a car cool in when the ambient
temp. is over 100F ?
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Map of
Death Valley
Second lowest point on Earth |
Somehow
she does and fires up O.K. She struggles manfully
to the top of the Pass with a severe dose of the hiccoughs
then coasts down the other side and freewheels into
a service station that just happens to be waiting
for us in the middle of nowhere. Philip dives
under the bonnet and finds a wire has worked loose
from the condenser. All is not lost, just a few pounds
of weight in sweat all round. We are soon back in
business and on the road.Another 87 miles and we climb
up to 5834 feet out of the Parumph valley. Our first
view of Las Vegas. Our one and only view as we drive
past as fast as possible and find a little gem of
a place for 35 dollars a night at Boulder City. Overheated
and overtired. The hottest day in the region of the
year - 118F in Death Valley and 115 in las Vegas.
Mileage for the day is 394.
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Badwater
Cactus
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