Day 9: Beatty, NV to Mammoth Lakes, CA

Hills and canyons, hot and cold.
Riding a Harley never gets old.
The scenery is awesome, it makes one feel blessed.
But riding with friends is what makes it the best.


What a great ride today!  Our elevations ranged from over 7,000 feet above sea level in Mammoth Lakes, to 90 feet below sea level in Death Valley.




From Beatty, we headed west into Death Valley.  We left early, so as to avoid as much of the mid-day heat as possible.  It was a comfortable start, but as soon as we descended into Death Valley, temps quickly rose.  Our route took us down to where we were below sea level!  We stopped for some pics at a rest area, close to that point.

Pulled into a rest area in Death Valley for a break.

Pretty hot, but not for long...soon to climb into cooler air.

Adjusting riding gear to the weather

A lot of metal in the middle of nowhere

David Bowen, the ride leader.....best Road Captain EVER.

Darlene and Brian

A group pic, excluding Curt, who took the pic.

From the Valley, we climbed hard, back above sea level, and on toward the sky.  We went up, then down, then along a ridge line with spectacular views.  I can't take pics while riding, but it was phenomenal.   As someone said at our stop, "If you didn't like this last stretch of riding, you need to sell your bike."

We stopped at one of the overlooks.

The Davids

Dave Martin and me.

The horses took a quick nap after all that climbing.

Guido, getting reservations for dinner.

Fred, just being Fred.  Great singer, too!!

Mary, texting Guido.

The hotties.

We arrived in Mammoth Lakes early, so everyone did his or her own thing for a few hours.  I worked on my bike, and fixed some fairing trim that was coming off, other guys washed their bikes (CURT!! whose bike needed it more than anyone's!), and some went to take in a lunch.  Then, we all decided to hop on the trolley that makes a circle of the surrounding area.  Here are the pics:

Here we are, on the trolley, touring Mammoth Lakes area.

Beth and Hunter

Clara and Dave, Darlene and Brian

Tom and Jim, cheerleading

Mike and Mary

Me, taking of picture of myself through the bus driver's rear view mirror

Mike and Mary in front, Fred and Bev behind them

Temps here are GREAT!!  It cooled off wonderfully this evening...no shorts for me for the first time of the trip, and, in fact, I wish I'd have worn my jacket to dinner.  Forecast low tonight is 31 degrees!!  We plan to leave later than usual...9:00am...to allow the sun to rise and warm things up a bit.

Until tomorrow....

Mike