After spending the last days in Pahrump, we headed to Las Vegas yesterday. We have been in the so-called “Sin City” already many, many times before. And even though we wouldn’t want to live here, we always enjoy our visits. In the evening we walked along Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the Las Vegas Strip.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your Staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23, Holy Bible)
Today we took Herbie for a ride to the Valley of Death, better known as Death Valley National Park. As we are staying in Pahrump, Nevada, right now, we had to cross the border entering California again. We have been in Death Valley many times, but we never approached the lowest point of the United States coming via this route.
Actually, one of the most “dangerous” things which may happen to you, when you stop in such extremely hot areas and you turn off the engine; that your car vapor locks. It happened to us already so many times that we’re getting used to it.
Pahrump, Nevada – This town is one of the major entrance gates to California’s Death Valley and is located close to the state border just East of the National Park. Initially, we wanted to stay here just overnight, but we’ve been enjoying this place so much that we have decided to extend our stay for another night or two.
We also got a pretty good deal on a four star casino resort in Reno and so we stayed there more than one night, too. The view from the 20th floor was just wonderful.
Actually, we are on our way to Las Vegas and haven’t expected to stay in Nevada that long, as we’ll stay in Sin City as well at least three nights. But as we have traveled the Silver State in the past not as much as other Southwestern states of the USA, we really appreciate to get to see more places in Nevada.
Yesterday we visited the Bristlecone Pine Forest, just outside of Big Pine. The Bristlecone Pines are the oldest living organisms on our planet. They are up to 4,700 years old and grow at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet (or 3,000 meters).
Herbie had to climb a pretty steep winding road up the White Mountains, where these magnificent trees are located. In addition to that we had to take a little hike along a trail where we could spot some of the oldest Bristlecone Pines out there. Even though it was a long way up, it is well worth visiting this wonder of nature.
Herbie conquered America’s “Loneliest Highway” today. We made it all the way to Fallon, a town just 60 miles outside of Reno. On our way across Nevada we had to override reams of mountain passes. From here we’ll be heading South towards Las Vegas, after we spent two nights in Reno as we haven’t been there before.
Right before we reached the town of Fallon, we passed by huge sand dunes.
Nevada – The so-called Silver State is the one we entered today. In order to hit the “Loneliest Highway” towards Reno tomorrow, we drove all the way from Salt Lake City to Ely, the probably biggest town along this highway no. 50.
Back in Salt Lake City, somebody told us that our brake lights are not working at all. Even though Domi already had worries about the brake light switch beforehand, he checked the bulbs and fuses and they were okay. Luckily we bought such a switch as a spare down in Mexico when we came back from South America.
As our brake lights are working again, we are ready and eager to hit the “Loneliest Highway” tomorrow cruising across the entire Silver State. Our destination for tomorrow is Fallon, which is located at the western end of highway no. 50.
Above you see the big Salt Lake which we we passed heading towards Nevada.
Salt Lake City, Utah – While we’re heading West, we stopped to meet the Hales Family, who are huge fans of Herbie, the Love Bug. They’ve already been following our travel blog and contacted us after we started this trip across the US Southwest.
On our way to Utah’s capital we passed by Park City and its Olympic Park Jumps.
It seems, whenever you enter Utah, to be welcomed by red rocks and scenic views. So, also this time, when we were driving along Interstate 80 coming from Wyoming.
Tomorrow we’ll be heading towards Nevada. Domi always wanted to drive the “Loneliest Highway No. 50” as we have already driven the “Extraterrestrial Highway”.
In Colorado we were facing rain and on our way up Northwest entering Wyoming we had to cope with pretty rough headwinds, making it though for Herbie to keep up speed. Today we stopped in another town named Green River for the night.
Tomorrow we’ll probably enter Utah again in order to head further West as we want to stick to the Southwestern US this time. We don’t have that much time like during our world tour, therefore we pretty much want to stay in our most favorite places.
What is yet to come? We’re actually planning to visit Reno and Las Vegas, to drive Nevada’s so-called “Loneliest Highway”, to explore Bryce and Zion National Park another time and to stay in Ridgecrest, California, at least for a couple of days.
Before we entered Colorado today, we explored the Canyonlands National Park in Utah – Domi’s most favorite spot in the United States – where the Colorado and Green River come together. These scenic overlooks are simply gorgeous!
Right after we arrived in Grand Junction, Colorado, today, we got the hint, by Zach, one of our followers, to visit the KCW (Kustom Coach Werks) here in town. This outstanding air-cooled VW workshop is actually located just a few blocks from our motel. Domi just visited the KCW folks and took some pictures of their shop.
There was a lot to see today. On our way up North, we visited the Natural Bridges National Monument, the Glen Canyon and the Goblin Valley State Park. We were heading from Mexican Hat on the highways no. 261, 95 and 24 to Green River.
Today we visited Zainab’s most favorite place in the United States – Canyon de Chelly, located in Northeastern part of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. We hope you enjoy our pictures as much as we enjoyed this natural wonder in reality.
In the afternoon we crossed the state line entering Utah and stopped by the Canyonlands Motel in Mexican Hat, where we’ll stay for the night, before moving on.
Even though it is much more expensive to travel without a trailer, we decided to leave our camper in California, because we are on the road for just only five weeks this time and we wanted to enjoy the advantages motels offer, just as showers, internet access, refrigerator and other comfy stuff like that.
This will be our last night in New Mexico. We are in Farmington, a city located in the very Northwestern part of the state. Tomorrow we’ll enter Arizona again in order to visit one of our most favorite places – Canyon de Chelly nearby Chinle.
The Love Bug is running pretty well! And we really love touring cross country with him! At the moment we’re making around 200 miles (or 320 kilometers) a day.
However, we want to thank you for still following Herbie’s World Tour after so many years of traveling! We’ll keep blogging and we hope you enjoy accompanying us!
The UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico – We have been in Roswell already more than once, but we haven’t been to its world famous museum on UFOs.
We decided to give it a chance and we actually enjoyed it. Below you can find some pictures of the exhibition. After our visit we drove all the way North to Albuquerque.
More than four years ago we visited the New Mexican Caverns of Carlsbad the first time. Today we returned to this magnificent piece of America’s natural treasury.
Before going underground we passed by the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas hosting the highest peak of the state with 2,667 meters (or 8,749 feet).
New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment – We entered this wonderful state by driving along highway 70 towards Lordsburg. From there we hit the interstate and ended up in Las Cruces, where we’ll stay for the night before heading further South.
There we checked in at the Day’s End Motel. From here we’ll continue cruising on interstate 10 to El Paso, Texas. And we’re planning to visit the Carlsbad Caverns as well. So we’ll just stay in Texas for a day, heading back into New Mexico. From there we’ll heading North, all across the state towards Arizona again.
Filling up Herbie is pretty convenient in Arizona compared to other states and especially in comparison to Europe. The gallon is down to $ 1.99 here.
As we would pay at least € 1.15 per liter right now in Europe, we’re getting gas for € 0.48 per liter in Arizona, which is actually less than the half of the price.
Today were heading further East and we’re staying for the night at a motel in the town of Safford. Tomorrow we’ll enter our state no. 3 on this trip – New Mexico.
After a long drive across the desert of Arizona, we reached Phoenix, where we met our friend Jay, who we got to know in Yuma and who we haven’t seen since five years. Tonight we had a blast, hanging out at a bar in downtown chatting with him.
After crossing the Imperial Sand Dunes of California, we reached Yuma, Arizona.
Right there we were able to buy our favorite Medjool dates from Bard, California.
This picture was not taken in Saudi Arabia! These are sand dunes in California.
Tomorrow we’ll be heading on Interstate 8 towards Arizona’s capital – Phoenix.
In the meantime we were already enjoying dates with a delicious vanilla coffee.
Today we left our camp in Ridgecrest. We headed South and passed by Elmer’s Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande on old Route 66 near Victorville.
In the afternoon we reached Twentynine Palms, a city famous for its Marine Corps Base. And here we’ll meet our dear friend Pablo, who’s stationed here.
But Twentynine Palms is also famous because of the Joshua Tree National Park, we’ve already visited twice. Tomorrow we’ll be heading to Yuma, Arizona.
The reason why we’re taking this route to Yuma, is because we want to buy some dates there. We love them! And we especially love those from that area!
After two years of sitting here in the desert, Herbie is running again. We just bought a new battery and did a little service including a motor oil change.
Before hitting the road across the United States, we went on a test ride today, heading to Palmdale and Lancaster, passing by Red Rock Canyon and Mojave.
We are happy to be back in the US, driving the Number 53 around! And we are excited to get started and to continue Herbie’s World Tour. On Thursday we’ll probably leave Ridgecrest, heading South towards Palm Springs and Salton Sea.
After more than two years we returned to California. The last time we’ve been here was for our wedding in May 2014. We’ll stay in the US for the next seven weeks.
Our dear friend, Lyle Gregory, invited us to stay at his world famous OZ House in Ridgecrest, Kern County, where also our beloved car, the Love Bug, resides.
Just after we woke up we were looking after Herbie and the camper. They were still here, waiting for our return. Today we’ll try to reactivate Herbie for another trip.
Due to the heat of the Mojave Desert the cover got broken, but we hope, that this is the only damage caused by standing there for more than two years. Let’s see!
Domi got his visa for the United States! In 2014 we traveled to the US the last time. This summer we’ll return to California and tour across the Southwest of the United States.
In July we’ll get Herbie back on the scenic roads of North America. And of course we’ll share our continuing tour on this site. Keep following Herbie’s World Tour!
Herbie's World Tour 