We survive Death Valley - its only 46 degs C

Saturday, and it's departure day. Flashy and Lady P, as seasoned travellers, have of course packed the night before and only need to dress and breakfast to be ready for the trip. The Major is still packing as we down omelet and hash in the America restaurant. Lady P takes the wheel and the Major the left hand seat. Flashy is suffering (quietly of course), in the back seat as his sinus is still blocked. As we head for Death Valley the temperature rises to 100F and after climbing to 4,000' we descend to 190' below sea level at the aptly named Furnace Creek where the mercury hits 116.3F. 

The nice waitress at the local saloon, where we take refuge with a coke and a Death Valley Pale Ale (Flashman), remarks on how cool it is since last month's 128F. The landscape is truly remarkable. Like nothing else we have seen, with virtually no vegetation and massive mountains of weathered sandstone, mudstone and basalt and giant valleys of talc and, well nothing except rattlesnakes and Kangaroo rats. After hydrating and surviving, we head out of Death Valley to the town of Bishop, where we check into the clean and neat Best Western Motel. Flashman and the Major brave the 100F and walk to the local shopping centre looking for a pharmacy, as Flashy wants pseudoephedrine, a Chemist issued drug that requires ID and all that stuff. The local pharmacy is shut, but Dwaine's is apparently just down the road - like a route march of 3 miles. Luckily, while marching to Dwaine's Pharmacy, we discover two bars and note their location for the return journey. What a surprise when we discover the Kiwis in the very same pharmacy. Warren and Tammy and Mikayla have checked into a motel near the pharmacy, so the Anzacs reunited head for a cooling beverage or three. Well, at least Flashman, the Major and Warren do, Tammy and Mikayla walk back to wake Lady P from her beauty sleep. Eventually we all meet at Holy Smoke restaurant for beers and ribs with the usual accompaniments of spuds, slaw, beans and mac n cheese. So American. Tick.