July 9th (10th where I am), T-minus 10 days to the ride.

So my friend from California told me a "terrific" route from Vegas to San Fran. I plugged it all in my mapping site and found that it cuts right through Death Valley...well, I think I mentioned that yesterday...so anyway, I am reading this book tonight on the plane and it kind of makes me think that my friend from California wants me to die a horrible burning death.

This book, Ultra Marathon Man, talks about this guy's run through Death Valley. Here is an excerpt:

"Earlier this year, a European tourist had roasted to death in the mudflats beside the road. Apparently, he had walked out to take some pictures. The coroner's report noted that the corpse's feet were severely disfigured. Poor bastard had stepped through a narrow surface crust in a layer of molten-hot mud. He'd baked to death."

Nice huh? Another joyous quote:

"Besides rattlesnakes, there were scorpions and big tarantulas to watch out for on the dark road."

Robby and I ran over several bunnies a few years ago going through Wyoming late at night and I had a problem with that cause they are so cute and well, it was gross...but I have a serious phobia of spiders...we may have to re-route and I may have to rethink my friendship with Mike Nightingale. :-)

10 more days to go!