I had a nice convergence of business and pleasure a month ago with a business trip to Vegas (not what you're thinking). I have only had Kramer for 3 months with no Motoring to speak of, only cruel freeway traffic. So I decided I needed to clean the plugs so to speak and have a road trip. Only criteria was to stay away from the 15 as much as possible.

I left on a Monday morning and returned Friday morning. It was driving perfection. Traffic was nary a problem, just open, twisty, straight, hilly, fast and slow roads. The MINI impressed with comfort, agility, and speed. It truly is the perfect car for me. I've gotta go back to see more of Death Valley.

So here is the route:

• 10 South to Indio
  
• 62 N to Joshua Tree
  - go through 29 Palms
  
• Utah Trail N (left)
  
• Amboy Road E (right, to Amboy)
  
• At Amboy W (right) at National Trails HWY (aka Historic Route 66)
  
• Kelbaker Road N (left)
  - its a small sign
  - Kelbaker takes you past the 40, through Mojave and into Baker
  
• At Baker take the 127 N
  - the 127 can be taken to the 373 and then to the 95 (Lathrop Wells) which goes past Pahrump and S into Vegas
  - this goes thru Shoshone and Death Valley Junction, places so small if you blink you will miss them, but why would you want to miss the Opera House at DVJ?
  
• But the real fun is the Death Valley mini tour via the 178 W / Badwater Rd and the 190 E that takes you back to the 127

I apologize for the crappy images, they do not capture the scope, color, and majesty of desert.

View off Kelbaker onto a dry lake. It was my first, ahhhhhhhh, moment.

Through Mojave Desert. Where I learned the hard way not to venture off the blacktop to take pictures.


Before Shoshone. There is a hot springs not far from there. Very unusual formations in this area.


Amargosa Opera House. Its world famous, hosting a one-woman show. Lady is in her 80's I believe.


The Opera House again, photochopped to reflect the technology of the camera I was using.


C-17 out of Creech AFB. Taken while at speed on the 95.


I was excited to finally make it to Death Valley on the Friday return trip.


One of the many spectacular views from Zabriskie Point. Don't ask me what the rocks are made of.


Artists Drive is a one-way only road that takes you past Artists Palette, a spectacular display of mineral colors. The road was perfectly MINI-sized n many places, having a 35mph speed limit.


Artists Palette


View out onto a valley from Badwater, the lowest point in the continental US, 282 ft below Sea Level. Miracle is, is that there is a spring there and there is protected life in it.

 

looks great, thx for sharing.

 

whoa great photos , love the sight , might take that roadtrip pretty soon .

 

awesome pics! makes me want to jump in my MINI and drive west!

 

Amazing! Thanks for Sharing!

 

My baby was born on December 2nd! From the first time I laid eyes on an astro black mini, I just knew I had to have one

 

Wonderful motoring adventure! Thank you so much for shairing! And no need to appologize for the "crappy images." I think they show the desert in all it's glorry very well! They show the heat that is so common in the desert, and that makes them great IMO!

Death Valley is an incredible place! My last adventure there was very interesting indeed (when I was actually in nevada though!), but if you wish, you can read about it here:

http://homepage.mac.com/aorr/harrier...70barstow.html

Take care,
-Andy