Bridgeport, CA....where we spent Night Two on our trip, is a beautiful little town located in the high plateau's that are on the east side of Yosemite Nat'l Park. The entire area along hwy 395 from Carson City, NV to Bridgeport was fantastic.
We set off from Bridgeport for the final day of the ride to Las Vegas at 8:30 AM, just 30 minutes past our planned AIS (ass in seat) time.
We had decided not to eat breakfast in Bridgeport, but instead to get an early start and stop later.
We ended up eating in this little town called Bishop at the restaurant in the pictures. We had an outside patio seat under a massive tree. The breakfast was the best on the road, and the atmosphere was very relaxing and beautiful. There was a little boy who was quite taken by the bikes and had lots of questions for Peter. He got a chance to sit on the bike for our pictures. He was a refreshing addition to our morning breakfast! Great way to start the day.
We then rode south until we hit the junction with Hwy 168......we took it to the east into Nevada again.
This is undoubtedly one of the best motorcycle rides ever! You go winding up this huge incline to an elevation of 7000+ feet where it's beautiful and also 'cool'......you are surrounded by rock formations and views as you make turn after turn gradually winding your way to the top....we were heading toward the desert and another visit with the 'cool gods' seemed like a great thing, as we knew that ahead of us was some of the hottest riding known to man thru the deserts of southern Nevada. This road then went down a long long decline with twists and turns again into the desert below. Finally we came to the end of the high plateau twisting and turning roads and went down into the desert below.
After another 20 minute ride further on Hwy 168 on the straightest road in the world thru the desert; we turned off on hwy 266 from Oasis, NV. The road went once again up to the high plateau and another 'cool' spot.
While on this road much further along, we turned a corner and under a big set of trees in the shade was one of the biggest bulls I've ever seen. He was solid black and just standing there next to the hwy. You wondered as you slowed to make the turn and drive right past him if he'd decide to charge you any second (like in the bull ring). Further down the road we had to stop for another cow...this time a calf who was just standing in the middle of the highway. (btw: there wasn't much traffic on this remote road).
So....then over the high plateau again and down in the desert one last time. At the end of hwy 266 we made a right hand turn and connected with Hwy 95 for the ride south to Las Vegas.....I highly recommend avoiding this road in the summer....it's VERY HOT! and nothing to see but desert......for ever......and the winds blow steadily; trying to knock you and your bike over as you drive along at 70 mph.
After an ice cream in a small town in the middle of the desert called Beatty, we headed again south on 95. About 75 miles down Hwy 95 we came to the turnoff for hwy 160 which goes up to the high country again thru the town of Pahrump, that road wasn't very exciting until you get to Pahrump. From Pahrump to Las Vegas the road was a beauty! The highway into LV was two lanes for along way, and a beautiful piece of hwy with mountains all around.
As we came over the top of 160 heading into LV we got a brief look at Las Vegas way off in the distance. It was quite beautiful.
When we got into LV the temp skyrocketed to about 110 degrees on the blacktop. WHOA!!!
Way to hot!!! Luckily we only had a few miles to go to our destination...Holiday Inn Express on the far south end LV just across Interstate 15 to the west of Mandalay Bay Hotel.
Whew! Finally...out of that miserable heat again. Hotel, cool, shower, food.....all these good things followed as we ended the trek to LV. I'll pick this up again when we head back to Seattle and Vancouver, BC next Saturday.
Thanks for stopping by.
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