The Road to Salvation p II

After a nice breakfast we fueled...

Reluctantly...

And went on our way to Bad Water. Three of the dual sport riders went on a dirt route, the rest followed Mike on the pavement through Death Valley. I'm pointing at the the little white sign that is at sea-level. The parking lot we are in is about 280 feet below sea-level. While we were here the dual sport guys had ridden to the top of that that mountain via their dirt route and were watching us.

The line up.

Leaving Bad Water we head to Furnace Creek.

Kind of steep...

We stop at Furnace Creek for snack and chat.

Some of the best parts of this ride were spent off the bike.

On the road again, this time to Scotty's Castle.

Scotty's Castle. Built by Albert Mussy Johnson Circa 1923. Walter Scott or "Death Valley Scotty" as he was known locally, claimed to have spent millions building the 'castle' but it was Mr. Johnson's money and house. Unfortunately the market crash of 1929 altered his plans and he had to turn the property into a hotel.

The back of the castle.

There is a large pool (never finished) on one side of the castle, this bridge goes across the pool. A nearby natural spring would have filled this pool, had it been finished. The spring did power a pelton wheel to give the castle electric power.

Building behind the castle.

And the day just got better and better..

The Road to Salvation p III

The unfinished pool.

The stable.

More pool.

Gas station

Construction was halted in 1931 when they found out they were building on the wrong spot, the castle was on government land, Albert's land actually started one mile north. Oops...

The original entrance to the property.

Off we go to Beatty, Nevada for fuel and food.

We weren't the only bikers out that day..

A sandwich at Beatty and a night ride back to Vegas brought an end to a super ride. 370 miles.

The next day, Monday, I ride alone to see Salvation mountain near Niland, California

A building in Niland.

Numerous squatters near Salvation Mt.

And there it is....Salvation Mountain.

Leonard Knight created Salvation Mountain to spread the message, "God is Love" The mountain is 50 feet high and 150 feet across built from, straw, logs, and local adobe.

Salvation Mountain.

More pictures on p IV

The Road to Salvation p IV

Salvation Mountain, continued;

It could be called the Salvation Mountain Range, as there is another small man built hill to the south...

The inside of the second mountain.

At one time the local county poohbahs threatened to remove this art as it was unathorized and built on government land. In 2002 Senater Barbara Boxer had it entered into the Congressional Record as a National Treasure, thereby protecting this site.

I started the day with my electric gear on and still cold, here at Salvation Mountain I had taken off everything I could and still be legal and was very hot!

It was time to call it a day, I ride back to the condo, a 693 mile ride.

Tuesday I ride the 445 miles home. What a great trip! 2164 miles.

Here are some more pix of Salvation Mountain.