LOST WAGES

WHAT A TRIP. FROM BAKERSFIELD, WE CLIMBED TO 3700 FEET IN THE FIRST 11 MILES. WHEW !! WE LEFT AT 6:30,BECAUSE OF THE HEAT IN THE DESERT.

THEN DOWN THROUGH THE MOST PICTURESQUE SCENERY EVER. I WAS EXPECTING TO SEE JOHN WAYNE AT ANY TIME. THEN WE WENT DOWN, AND DOWN AND SOME MORE DOWN. ALL THE WAY TO BELOW SEA LEVEL.

STOPPED AT DEATH VALLEY ENTRANCE ( BAKER, THE HOTTEST SPOT IN NORTH AMERICA ) AT 10:30. THERMOMETER WAS AT 105 DEGREES. HAD A GREAT GREEK LUNCH, AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER THAN ANY WE HAVE EVER HAD IN PARK EX.

THEN WE CLIMBED TO 4730 FEET IN 16 MILES, WITHOUT AIR, TO PREVENT OVERHEATING. MORE WHEW ! EXCEPT THAT WE HAD TO DESCEND BACK DOWN A 7% GRADE OVER 14 MILES. WITH CONSTRUCTION ON THE LEFT AND NO SHOULDER ON THE RIGHT. TALK ABOUT A SCARY RIDE. EVEN BETTER THAN BELMONT PARK.

MADE IT TO VEGAS, GOT CONCIERGED IN. CLASSY JOINT. 2 POOLS, BEACH, WATERFALL, 9 DOG RUNS AND A PET PLAYLAND. 98 DEGREES.

GONNA SEE THE STRIP AFTER SUPPER, WHEN IT COOLS DOWN.

TTFN