Death Valley

Its name evokes barren scrub and desert, blistering hot sun and soaring temperatures and while the conversationalists here are at pains to point out the abundant life, that is pretty much what you can expect from one of the hottest places on earth. We've driven right into the heart of it as it stands between us and our next, final destination. Las Vegas.

When I was a kid I was told you could fry an egg on the bonnet of a car in Death Valley and it remains the singular fact I can recall from my Geography lessons. Well, we're in a car, in Death Valley and I've bought some eggs. I'll let you see the outcome for yourselves.

This is a harsh and inhospitable place. An alien landscape of bleached stone and searing sun. As I write this, looking out the window, I could easily imagine we were on the surface of Mars.

We're nearing Vegas and my thoughts are turning to matters poker. The World Series looms large now and I'm beginning to return from our self-enforced break from the game. We all feel eager to get to the tables and experience our passion, our addiction in its spiritual home. Dave has discovered he is playing on day one and Oscar is playing day two. We've dissected and mulled over the implications of that and come to the conclusion that day two is better then day one, which in turn is better then day three.

Niall is hoping to qualify here or he will have to return to his job on the 3rd of July. During the run up to the trip I had intended on playing some qualifiers but time never seemed on my side and there was always something to prevent me. To be honest I wasn’t too pushed about trying to qualify. Don't get me wrong, I'd casually glass you in the face, my dear reader, while nonchalantly smoking a cigarette and lift your ticket from your jacket pocket while you writhed and screamed on the floor. Not, you understand, I've thought about this. Much. Its just that before it wasn't much of a driving force, it seemed too fantastical to even try. Just being here to report on it seemed more then enough.

Now I feel like playing every satellite available for a ticket. I can't explain it but this journey seems incomplete to get this far and not be involved directly in its finale. I don't want to watch Dave and Oscar go on to play this trip out to its conclusion while I remain "behind" so to speak. While I am exceptionally fortunate to be getting a press pass and invites to behind the scenes parties. I just don't want to turn and hear a steward say to me:

"Non-players away from the table."