I am still trying to catch up on all the posts. This one goes back a few weeks cruising through Death Valley from Mammoth to Las Vegas. I have put over 8000 miles on The Betty( II) since the end of June. Of all the places I've been to, National Parks, unnamed side roads, Death Valley was the most beautiful and unique part of the trip. I think part of it was it was just different than what the rest of the trip had been. The usual scenery of endless forests, snow capped peeks, and ski resorts had transformed to desolation and intense heat. Before departing from Mammoth Lakes, CA I did a thorough mechanical check of the truck. Checking all the fluids, greased the chassis, checked the differentials, and picked up extra coolant and oil. I didn't want any break downs in the brutal conditions that exist here. I filled up both fuel tanks and my spare can before entering the park, knowing that gas stations were nearly non existent. Even with that much fuel I did end up getting some fuel in the park just to make sure I could make the last leg out. Clearly some simple economics of supply and demand were prevalent. I spent the evening driving through the valley, planning to hit Badwater Basin in the morning. With a summer of crossing high alpine passes I also needed to cross the lowest elevation in North America. I missed my turn and ended up just outside of the park on the east side. It was late when I figured this out and decided to camp the night in a little "one horse" town. I thought I had hidden The Betty pretty well for the night but when I woke she was hanging out a bit. Oh well. I got an early start to beat the 115 degree high for the day and back tracked 40 miles to catch the turn to Badwater. I'll admit it, this was not the first time I've been lost or missed a turn. 282 feet below sea level and 115 degrees. The Betty handling the heat without skipping a beat. Making the drive through the park in just under 24 hours. Taking in the views in 20 Mule Canyon The video below is another "Over the Hood" edit of the overland adventure through Death Valley. The off road portion was filmed in 20 Mule Canyon. The next posting will be up shortly covering the flash flooding and cliff hucking adventures of Red Bull Rampage!!
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Well the Demo Days at Interbike have come to an end in Boulder City, NV. I just wanted to do a quick update on some of the action. With bike vendors and patrons from all around the world, it made for an awesome couple of days. Getting to play and demo all new the new toys was such a blast! And the trail system at Bootleg Canyon is gnarly to say the least! Now, the rest of the week we're heading to Vegas for the vendor show at Mandalay Bay. Gonna be the first time in Sin City for this guy! Top of the DH trails, with Las Vegas in the background "Where Dreams are Made" MTBparks.com crew camped at Boulder City. First time hooking up for the camper! Rippin "Snake Charmer" on the 2015 Specialized Carbon Demo "Mega Shuttle", just don't fall out the back
Yes you read that correctly! Ski turns in August, with a lift, in the northern hemisphere! Though I have more than a couple of friends still skiing in Colorado, hiking and earning their turns, I couldn't resist the opportunity to take the lift! Mount Hood is the only place in North America that is opened year round (well almost). Depending on the snowfall they will only close for a few weeks before the next season begins. Timberline Resort at Mt. Hood is well known for there off season training camps for Olympic athletes and the like, but is now fully open to the public. After purchasing a ticket I unpacked the ski gear I had been hauling around. I thought there could be an opportunity to ski at some point, so everything came with. Heading up the first chair The day before I had been riding the bike park just a few miles down the road at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl. Now I traded out the bike for skis. There was no snow at the bottom lift so you had to carry all your gear for the ride up. Once you hit the second chair and the snowline you could boot up and ski to the lift. Yes, I admit, I took a selfie....but with due cause.. The snow was some serious spring mashed potatoes but skied great! It took a few runs to get my ski legs back . The weather was perfect (of course) a sunny 65 degrees or so, just a t shirt and a hat for the day. As the skiers and snowboarders where taking laps, the "scenic" chair lift riders and day hikers watched with wonderment. Many taking pictures and pointing at the spectacle of summer turns! Getting back on the skis got me thinking about the winter season coming, where the snow will fall, and where I will land.
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The Story Behind the Story
After a year living in my camper named "The Betty", I've decided to take those adventures and make it a lifestyle. From the first day of the journey to the launch of my business I've kept a journal here at "Miles in the Mirror".
If you want to go back to the beginning, click the link below and it'll bring you to day one.