Death Valley to Las Vegas - 2018

Group photo in Lone Pine - Snow Capped Eastern Sierras in the background

Riders gathered from all over the Southland; from the valleys in Simi and San Gabriel, from the foothills in Santa Clarita, from as far north as Bakersfield, as far south as Murrieta, as far west as Huntington Beach, from outlying areas like Desert Hot Springs and Redlands, and at some point, from Vegas. Riders on Harleys, Visions, Cross Countries, a Victory Vegas, Indians, and Can-Ams met up in smaller groups to home in on a proper breakfast at Chelly’s Café in Palmdale.

The pit stop at Indian Wells Brewing Co., Inyokern, was a spacy experience where the riders were greeted by an escapee from Area 51 with gifts of out-of-this world brews. Death Valley Pale Ale is brewed on the spot…an aptly named beverage for the following day’s ride.

The main group rumbled up Highway 395 to Lone Pine for a night at the Dow Villa Motel, a little place full of history and kitsch. The question on everybody’s mind is, “Who will end up with the John Wayne room and what hijinks and good camaraderie will we find there?” (none did) followed up by “Will there be man-stew served this year?” The answer to the last was a no but was topped by Victory Stew with many in the group taking a nice swim after a day in the saddle.

A few puffs of wind tugged at memories of gusty rides to Laughlin and Tombstone and basically anything taking riders through the Mojave Desert. Nothing major, nothing serious enough to turn back any in this bunch. Speaking of memories, the pack of riders cruised downslope into the Panamint Valley on Highway 190 toward the Panamint Mountain Range to successfully log a recreation of our iconic photo from three years ago. The Panamint Mountains form the western edge of the Death Valley, a wild place of strange beauty and amazing formations, not too different from the group of riders themselves.

                                         

Down Hwy 190 into the Panamint Valley and back up the 190 to the Sierras

Riders are a mostly gregarious bunch and this group is no different. That being the case, meal times turned into celebrations during the Death Valley <> Vegas adventure; celebrating the ride, each other, and life. Proper breakfasts were had each morning, followed by stops for proper lunches, only to be topped off with dinners of varying propriety. Glasses were clinked and ‘dilly dillies’ rang out and were surrounded by laughter and good times. The stay at the Silverton Casino and Lodge was the ideal spot for a good layover...personally, I like the huge aquarium.

As with many an extended motorcycle ride the ending came far too early and earlier for some than for others. A few left for home Sunday, the others Monday after a now standard proper breakfast (this one at the Cracker Barrel in Vegas). Individuals, pairs, and pairs of pairs split off from the group after breakfast all to make it home safe and sound.

And…they went without me.

But weep not for me because I was in Ely, Nevada spending time with my new grandson making notes and dreaming of reading to the little guy. As it turned out we weren’t all that far behind the Monday group as my wife and I passed through Vegas in the early afternoon for a late lunch/early dinner at The Mad Greek in Baker.

I pictured every twist and turn in my mind, each rumble of the engine, and every toast of dilly dilly.

Happy Trails and until we ride again…keep the iron side up.

Jerry ‘Shakespeare’ White