Friday, March 13, 2015

It has been a few days.  Lots and lots of miles.  We left the Phoenix area on Tuesday and ended up in Globe.  Lots of miles just to get out of the city and then lots of other miles added.  Nice weather.  Beutiful desert and beatiful rock formations.  The desert was diverse with an abundance of what I am told were Joshua tree's.  We went up in elevation which has been a theme of the last few days.

On Wednesday, we rode 82 miles to Safford.  Not as much elevation climbing, but a few rolling hills and a headwind the last 15 miles ( of course).  It was an exhausting day to say the least.  We broke down and went to a Chinese buffet.  Stayed a long time.  All of the salt probably did us some good, but I really liked the ice cream.

On Thursday, we got up early again.  This was truly a grueling and beautiful day.  We climbed and descended, climbed and descended.  Twice we climbed 2,000 + feet and then came down again.  The visita's were amazing.  We ended up going over a 6,200 ft pass.  On one side of the pass we had classic, dry, beautiful desert.  On the other side of the pass, we had forests, that eventually led to rolling hills similar to pasture land in Wyoming or Montana.  Stayed in a post office town ( the only thing there was a post office) called Mule Creek,  New Mexico.  Yes, we are now in New Mexico.

On Friday(the 13th) we had a really nice ride.  Rolling hills of pasture, good roads, nice car and truck drivers passing us.  The only bad part was the end which had us scaling up to the Continental Divide at 6,300 ft.  Staying in Silver City, New Mexico tonight.  I think we have decided to go off route for a bit.  After yesterday we know we can do grueling climbs, but don't feel like going over the 8,200 ft pass that awaits us.  We are going around that mountain.  Probably will still climb a little, but not like it would be to go over that pass. Should be in El Paso in 3 - 4 days.  Still feeling good.  Til later.