C: We are now in Las Vagas. When we pulled in the temp was 111 degrees and of course we entered traffic during a traffic jam. Needless to say my Minnesota bike didn't like the heat and got almost to the red line on the gauge. We pulled off and called Lisa and she came to lead us to her house. About three blocks away the bike died, presumably by vapor lock. Had to have it towed into a MC shop and after a night in the shop I was told it was the fuel pump (which I originally thought it was) and they wanted to do this and that and this other thing which would finally end up about $1500. So I told them do the fuel pump and flush and fill the cooling system with something called "ice blue" which is supposed to keep the system cool in the high heat. Today the temp is supposed to reach 112 in Vagas and 115 in St Georges which we have to go through on our way to Denver and cooler temps. We may even try something I am not really in favor of...night riding. We might have to try this because of the heat. Its only supposed to cool of to 87 tonight and it might be better to travel at night. Any way the fuel pump won't be here until tomorrow so we have 36 hours to ponder our problem.

The trip from California to Nevada was "warm" but uneventful until the traffic jam. Boy what a desolate country. The Mojave Desert...even the devil thinks its too hot to play there. Lyle said it was a gradual clime from LA to Las Vagas...boy was he right...road straight as a preacher's heart and from sea level to over 4000 ft. Now I know the difference between a low desert and a high desert. The Majave has them both.

Pictures of the d e s e r t later.