Woke about 8:30 (late for me) and started packing car for the journey. Mel got us a cold coffee each from downstairs and checked us out….then we grabbed a toasties each and set off. Temp 107 as we left and got stuck in a Vegas 12 lane jam in the wrong direction somehow but finally got free of its tentacles. Hit an area 51 cafe (and Brothel - this is Nevada) for a mango and peach smoothie each, temp hit 116 at this point. Massive stop for roadworks just outside Beatty where they had a 1 in a 1000 year storm that destroyed most of the roads in Death Valley a month prior and they were re-surfacing. Made it to the “Death Valley Inn” at about 2pm and they let us check in early - lovely clean place with a beautiful pool. Bliss. Noticed there was a specialist Jerky shop next door so wandered to get 3 x 100 grams of spicy Jerky for $25. Wild donkeys (Burros) roaming the streets, as authentic as it gets. Went to the pool to write blog and read whilst Mel grabbed some much needed sleep in the room. Walked to the Happy Burro Chili and Beer for a couple of pitchers of PBR beer - $10 for 3 pints, what a difference from Vegas! Mel had a white Zinfandel and we both had a Chili Dog - home made hot dog covered in their hot chilli….mmmmmmm. Walked to Family Dollar which is like a huge Bee Jay discounts and brought a couple of microwave ready meals just in case we got hungry.