After we leave Route 66 - we head for Death Valley - the driest place in the US - 200 feet below sea level in the California desert.
On the way I had an Amusing encounter in a little town called Nipton literally in the middle of nowhere. I asked a guy to tell me about the town and he said "Why don't you ask Gerry the guy who owns the town?"
Which I duly did.
Nipton is the most solar powered area in the US and generates enough electricity by solar energy to power 90,000 homes or run 32,000 cars. They use a unique form of solar technology.
You can just see the towers in this photo.
This is a graphic from the web
Bob explains how it works.
Next we join the Joshua Tree Highway
Bob explains the religeous beliefs behind the Joshua Tree ( the audio is very windy on this)
We overnight in Laughlin - a mini Las Vegas - which is just a bit up the road
We went to the Aquarius Casino and I explained my blackjack strategy to Bob - " I just decide in advance how much I am willing to loose - I just try to enjoy loosing it". He said that his technique is slightly different. He decides how much he is prepared to loose in advance and leaves after he has lost twice that amount! Who is the more honest??
We just have a coffee and I take some shots.
Next day we set off early for Furnace Creek ,Death Valley - word leaks out that we are headin' into town lookin' for trouble and some people decide it is too risky to hang around!
We stop for lunch in Shohone an old cowboy town an appropriate place to share some wild west images.
A Darn Coyote
an old stagecoach
General View of Death Valley - at Furnace Creek
We stay at the Ranch in Furnace Creek - expensive but very nice
View from the entrance to Furnace Creek Ranch
Finally - a postscript - there have been many emails remarking on Bob's knowledge of places we visit - but he is not infallible - as I found out in Nipton which he had previously thought had some Japanese (Nippon?) association.
400 miles Total Miles to Date. 2181 miles
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