Eventually we got to Darwin and wandered around, taking pictures, and eating lunch. Darwin is a funky little town that is half deserted, but there are people that actually live there. Given the heat in the summer I can't imagine living there. But looking at the pictures you can get a feel of what the place is like. On the outskirts of town are these hand-dug caves that some people actually lived in. One of the townsfolk said some people still come down to avoid the heat in the summer. I don't think so! Those of us that had brought lunch sat and ate our lunch by the old post office before leaving.
It's another 22 miles back to Panamint Springs. Leaving Darwin was on a paved road and we stopped at a park sign on the highway for a picture. The Seattle guys left before the rest of us to have lunch in Panamint Springs. The rest of us made a decision to ride more that afternoon. I'd like to mention that the road down to the Darwin Plateau is a beautiful twisty road. Finally my bike is back to the road it likes best! Anyways, Mike Largent and Dave Enos joined the Seattle guys for lunch, so Dave, Greg, Grant, and I headed off with the intention to ride to Auguereberry Point.
Greg changed his mind to do some hiking near Stovepipe Wells, leaving the three of us to head to Auguereberry Point. So it was 22.5 miles back to where the Emigrant Canyon road turns, then about 12 miles to the turnoff for Auguereberry Point. The road up to the point was an easy ride and had a really great view once we got up there. Of course we called home to check in and see what's happening. I also took the opportunity to get some "B-Roll" footage for my video. My daughter Shelley, who is very good at this video stuff, told me that's what you use as filler when making a good video.
We'll see if it'll help what I'm creating.
On the way back we stopped to explore an abandoned mine named "Eureka." It was started by Pete Aguereberry for whom the point is named. He pulled about $175,000 in gold from the mine during his lifetime. You can see in the background "Cashier Mill". We took a few pictures, then got back on the road again.
Tom Clark
I'm a Senior Software Engineer at Intellitect, living in Spokane, Washington. I also do a little development work on the side. And I love riding motorcycles all over the country with my friends.
