tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39109483519847163782024-02-07T20:19:51.126-08:00Where's Matt At?on a bike tour!Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-80016317282402418082013-06-10T14:33:00.001-07:002013-06-10T14:39:52.011-07:00Chiricahuas or Bust -- Day 3<div class="MsoNormal">
Day 3 – Douglas to the Land</div>
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67 miles, 5:27, 12.2 avg.</div>
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What an extraordinary day in so many ways! This is why bike
touring is great—every day is different in its challenges and triumphs. I’m
safely in Cave Creek Canyon
now, but what a journey to get here.<br />
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Well, I didn’t meet the Gadsden Ghost last night. At least I
couldn’t hear him with my ear plugs in. I high-tailed it out of Douglas after I learned afternoon showers would return
along with some pretty high winds. It’s a really pretty ride out HWY 80 east,
through some hills and valleys, enough variation to keep me very interested. I
planned to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">try</i> and take it easy today
and make a lot of stops since the mileage was a bit lower. So I took advantage
of the lone tree along the highway and rested in the shade for a while. This
was a huge old canyon hackberry, seemingly the only one around for miles. Not
sure where it came from.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWAws5i9INA7ZHs2eN6JtLprcr97Ef8fyS44vuU_-QKFcJEwx2KLFJIXKqj1TJ1PrwKFKQJc4P4Vt-7t3g20yn3XEednrL-klJ6mKq0Cxfv8o7QMMaGpwGVA2QRwEO71Veip6-zSVEHg/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWAws5i9INA7ZHs2eN6JtLprcr97Ef8fyS44vuU_-QKFcJEwx2KLFJIXKqj1TJ1PrwKFKQJc4P4Vt-7t3g20yn3XEednrL-klJ6mKq0Cxfv8o7QMMaGpwGVA2QRwEO71Veip6-zSVEHg/s400/IMG_2785.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the lone hackberry</td></tr>
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I could already see the clouds building over the Chiricahuas
and off to the east. Soon enough, as I rode into a big valley of grassland, the
clouds closed in on me. It was eerily dark now, no rain, but lots of lightning
over the mountains. In keeping with today’s theme of more breaks, I decided it
seemed safe enough to have a quick lunch. Boy was I wrong! Not 5 minutes later
a huge gust of wind came up, knocked my bike over, and the lightning increased
and got a lot closer. Time to go! Then, BANG! Lightning right over my head. You
know the type, I could feel it in my bones. It was crazy now, lightning
everywhere.<br />
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Keep in mind, I’m in the middle of a huge valley with
nothing to hide under. I’m probably the tallest thing around for miles, so my
blood is pumping, and I’m sprinting down the road in seconds flat. Then the
rain starts. Luckily I’m getting a tailwind as the energy pushes out of these
clouds, so I’m sailing along when I see the Border Patrol agent coming back in
his truck to ask me if I need any help. How nice. I thought for a moment about
waiting out the storm, chit-chatting with this very young guy (who was from New York by the sound of
it), and learning what’s it’s like to come out west and do what he’s doing.
Would’ve been a great experience if I was writing a book or something! It only
took a moment to decide no. The wind was going my way, the lightning was
already behind me and it looked good ahead. I only take rides if it’s serious.
So I thanked him and sprinted the 15 miles into Rodeo (the nearest place for
shelter and food) as the clouds continued to close in on me.<br />
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Right as I roll up to the store/café a couple of young folks
flag me down and tell me there’s a great place to camp only four blocks away!
Huh? I wonder in my sweat-crusted stupor. I laugh and say in a tone that must
sound like I was just told a joke, “I’m not camping down here in Rodeo next to
the highway. I’m going up into the mountains!” They probably took me as some
weird and rude loner guy, but hey, I just rode through a pretty serious and
very tiring ordeal. I’m just 10 miles from the goal of my entire journey! From
my point of view their information was ridiculous. Didn’t they know I was
practically a local in these parts?<br />
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Well, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch. I sort of realize I
sounded like a jerk, so I continue the conversation. They were from BC Canada and
looked and sounded like they were on bicycles too. But I was a bit confused and
too tired to find out, and then they went inside to eat lunch. By the time I
was ready to eat they were gone and the busy lunch rush was over, but the nice
people there still made me a sandwich. Turns out the couple was on bikes; what
are the odds? Why they didn’t come out and say so first thing is beyond me. We
could have had a great talk and I might have even stayed in Rodeo with them.
OK, probably not!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding insult to injury</td></tr>
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Anyway, I stay in the café a while warming up and waiting
for the rain and lightning over the Chiricahuas to subside—it’s really going
gangbusters now. I’m getting antsy and it feels like it’s time to go now, so I
head up the highway and make the turn onto Portal Rd. and boom, the headwind hits me
right in the face. These are the damaging winds I was warned about on KOLD this
morning. I know it’s only about 10 more miles, so I plug along, sometimes
slowing to a crawl. About ¾ of the way up the climb, the winds stop and the
rain over the mountains clears and I can feel that Chiricahua magic taking
over.<br />
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Before I know it I’m at the Portal store, Yellowman is
playing over the speakers and I’m telling everyone in the store about my
adventure. A forest ranger sees me outside with the two beers I just purchased
and we have a good chat about my ride and the weather. He tells me a lightning
strike started a fire in one of the canyons.</div>
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Not much further to go now, and I’m taking videos of
everything while I’m riding, like I’ve never been here before. I guess I
haven’t ever arrived in this fashion before, and it’s never taken three days
that’s for sure!<br />
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It really takes an incredible journey to make you appreciate
an amazing place even more. It truly felt like coming home here to the little
pump house, table and huge pile of firewood. Even better, new camp chairs and a
mini-fridge! Luxurious surprises. One thing though, the well pump doesn’t seem
to be working—no hot shower. Oh well, I can bathe in the creek.<br />
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Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12100011038751994263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-44191672135156023052013-06-10T13:40:00.000-07:002013-06-10T14:43:33.151-07:00 Chiricahuas or Bust -- Day 2<div class="MsoNormal">
Day 2 – Fairbank to Douglas</div>
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64 miles, 5:30, 11.8 avg</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuR-f4KoPBOTQSbMSJjI3r1R3gjh-Hm1c8l7MEvzqQMBgAVPGHVtaBTAuyem2hjFQ0bQuN4TmOtPNl2_Q7kDRj8eLZcV5IdnqWpxxB386RhmVr5nU4D_NHS2D_o0yeYB8iYl5dvfTGrrw/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuR-f4KoPBOTQSbMSJjI3r1R3gjh-Hm1c8l7MEvzqQMBgAVPGHVtaBTAuyem2hjFQ0bQuN4TmOtPNl2_Q7kDRj8eLZcV5IdnqWpxxB386RhmVr5nU4D_NHS2D_o0yeYB8iYl5dvfTGrrw/s320/IMG_2778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, here I am sitting in the Gadsden Hotel restaurant
waiting for a burger. I came in right after a group of eight ranchers ordering
steaks (and one salmon?), so I have plenty of time to savor this rich
Budweiser. The server asked what kind of beer I wanted when I asked her what
they had. “IPA”, I said. “No, we don’t have that.” Really? What a surprise. So,
Bud it is. </div>
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The Gadsden
has seen better days, that’s for sure. 1920 maybe? Pretty shabby now, but it’s
fine for me despite the funky smell, motor noise and a stunning view out my
window of the brick wall next door. But no TV remote?? That’s very hard for me
to deal with right now! I’m tired and my body aches. Maybe I’ll see the Gadsden headless ghost
tonight, although it supposedly inhabits the basement. I ain’t going down
there. The hotel still has lots of cool old west style artwork everywhere, and
the lobby is impressive.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll be there tomorrow! But not in a stage coach.</td></tr>
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As for Douglas, the
downtown area seems pretty rundown right now. The main street has no
restaurants and many buildings are shuttered. This afternoon the streets were
filled with shoppers from Mexico,
but now the stores are closed and the people are gone because there’s nothing
else to do down here. I don’t mind staying downtown and soaking up the Gadsden atmosphere,
especially since the other nearby option was the Motel 6 next to the jail. I’d
love a good ol’ RV park right now, but no dice in Douglas.</div>
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Last night along the San Pedro was great, even though it was
much cooler than anticipated. Good thing I decided to bring the sleeping bag at
the last minute! So much wildlife down there it kept waking me up! Especially
the calls of some frog that sounded like a human groaning. I don’t know what it
was! (Later found out it was a Sonoran desert toad) The birds were amazing in
the morning, even had a tyrannulet singing to me. Bird of the day has to be
Bullock’s Oriole. I heard them everywhere today.<br />
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A quick tour of the Fairbank cemetery on the trail out, then
I was off and climbing out of the river basin. I also scared up a couple of
javelinas sitting in the bushes next to the highway. Not too bad of a climb at
all and I was soon cruising the now-paved streets of Tombstone. Grungy, sunburned re-enactors
carrying rifles were interested in my ride. Very strange little town; left 10
minutes before the next “gunfight.”</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ibSVQWWOvEoVxErbjD3K3NK3SgRvamOZSCCTLv_cbznf2EjOcvMIntn9EP949jXmtzDozBH3K4C7v0oqnKFcrdEzZCvtpBMDxiRzYAQRuT7qx2w4BY2u2TmC0cKfpVQlmLt4Giuo3RE/s1600/IMG_2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ibSVQWWOvEoVxErbjD3K3NK3SgRvamOZSCCTLv_cbznf2EjOcvMIntn9EP949jXmtzDozBH3K4C7v0oqnKFcrdEzZCvtpBMDxiRzYAQRuT7qx2w4BY2u2TmC0cKfpVQlmLt4Giuo3RE/s400/IMG_2757.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't resist!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Davis Rd.
turned out to be a great little two-laner through the middle of nowhere. I
decided to stop in McNeal for lunch, hoping for the usual: restroom, water,
shade, and maybe a Coke. If it wasn’t for the kind man at the sad antique shack
willing to spare me a cold water, I would have struck out on all counts. Even a
spot in the shade was hard to come by, but eventually I found a large
cottonwood in front of the old school. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CCchgUfrjaFqEh3O1dcLPgQHrkC3ayjlRdg-a745RE73PRX9zLX4Y7p9b9n1clIitKEOxULHz9z3eqCPcYiCWxl_3-1Bvd1tZAxvrH0qupFVYrJ6hzgmoSFX87EOookFupKMPEzFCVQ/s1600/IMG_2759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CCchgUfrjaFqEh3O1dcLPgQHrkC3ayjlRdg-a745RE73PRX9zLX4Y7p9b9n1clIitKEOxULHz9z3eqCPcYiCWxl_3-1Bvd1tZAxvrH0qupFVYrJ6hzgmoSFX87EOookFupKMPEzFCVQ/s400/IMG_2759.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along Davis Rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in McNeal, AZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Off on the mostly straight as an arrow highway to Douglas, and the wind is becoming a problem and the
shoulder is wrecked with uneven pavement. Mentally tough those long, straight
roads, especially in adverse conditions. I toured the surprisingly busy streets
of Douglas which were filled with shoppers from Mexico. I hear there’s a chance of
rain tomorrow, can’t wait to get to Portal!</div>
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Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12100011038751994263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-54916138012853275622013-06-07T16:54:00.000-07:002013-06-10T13:41:28.222-07:00Chiricahuas or Bust -- Day 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Tour de Cochise
County</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not on this tour!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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May 8, 2013</div>
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Day 1 – Tucson
to Fairbank: Thank the Lord for a tailwind!</div>
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86.75 miles, 6:28, 13.4 avg</div>
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Pretty funny end to this first day. The site host here at
Fairbank did not want to come out of his RV to talk to me. He must have some
rule about after hours work. What if it was an emergency? Anyway, his partner
happened to come home, so I spoke with her. Might be some good camp spots down
the trail about a mile she tells me. Too bad I can’t camp right here in the
ghost town. Nice tables and shade under the mesquites and water spigots galore.</div>
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So I head off down the trail, swishing through the sandy
spots a bout a mile and half to a sweet spot along the San Pedro River. I’m thinking about Ramen for dinner and
then realize I have forgotten the stove! Oh no. Toting around a pot and fuel
bottle for nothing? Just as I begin to contemplate letting the noodles sit in
cold water for a while, I remember! The stove is in the pot! (It’s been a long
day.) Yee haw! </div>
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Oops. The bumpy trail ride out here has shaken the stove to
pieces. Luckily the Whisperlite is easy to put back together again, even when
you’re stomach is growling and you’re not thinking straight. Food is cooked in
no time.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river is mine for a night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiCYymwREU49FSc5NNdtZWnllUbGt6TSkptjuN81mMeEOalVnAuw4jG8CtempILj42zo42K4rT5JI_UXrhMSyGot9kNwXsAx1WbVnDDhYpRUXCx7Or8zhBxmNIBUQcKMR7spi8dsmEC0/s1600/IMG_2748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiCYymwREU49FSc5NNdtZWnllUbGt6TSkptjuN81mMeEOalVnAuw4jG8CtempILj42zo42K4rT5JI_UXrhMSyGot9kNwXsAx1WbVnDDhYpRUXCx7Or8zhBxmNIBUQcKMR7spi8dsmEC0/s400/IMG_2748.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’ll be a long slog back out of here tomorrow morning through
the mesquites and cat claws and sand. I put the tent right on the cow trail
because there are sticks and grass everywhere. Also, not sure about the human
traffic through here, so I opted to camp up in the bush a bit instead of right
down on the beach. All is good though after the Brown-crested and Vermilion
Flycatchers and Gray Hawk serenade me at sunset. Can’t wait for the dawn chorus
tomorrow!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
-----------------------------</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsLZPjY9tuAU1IBClHuSoqIaKfLQz1iBsZH_EVvKKAM9EQF7-IPa9B3yJetXaKBpdGxF1ZtCKLe9bY5JWD2pg3E4ctVPIsmiiDzZUHQAP_JUk3wtEw7Y3jTiGio5IfKv3Iqybc8Ph1rA/s1600/IMG_2716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsLZPjY9tuAU1IBClHuSoqIaKfLQz1iBsZH_EVvKKAM9EQF7-IPa9B3yJetXaKBpdGxF1ZtCKLe9bY5JWD2pg3E4ctVPIsmiiDzZUHQAP_JUk3wtEw7Y3jTiGio5IfKv3Iqybc8Ph1rA/s400/IMG_2716.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting out of Tucson
was quite the chore, what with traffic and all. 30 miles to Vail is a long way!
I chose HWY 10 over the shoulder-less Houghton to get down to HWY 83, and it
paid off. No problem, smooth, wide shoulder and maybe only 7 miles. HWY 83 does
have a little shoulder in most spots to my surprise, and traffic was very light. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDltDZQvP06-jSTHBxUlj4ww0KgZYKgxkePA71eAXbXPs0gBGOvzqkgsm9_RGxQsckevZV5Yhm3nUgZNPh7VIIgatbtLjQbgMe5f9Mw5XJHAlWAsXe295P4Qzwxw8XO13y1sKY59jBOcs/s1600/IMG_2719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDltDZQvP06-jSTHBxUlj4ww0KgZYKgxkePA71eAXbXPs0gBGOvzqkgsm9_RGxQsckevZV5Yhm3nUgZNPh7VIIgatbtLjQbgMe5f9Mw5XJHAlWAsXe295P4Qzwxw8XO13y1sKY59jBOcs/s400/IMG_2719.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HWY 10 - I can follow that rule</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfiNh0MJcYLkxsCeTSQ24MsBVnVxH_wkaEhYxc8i238_54sV_aGXQOeW5oIWNrEPzjquLZ9cnlOOqwxsQpAcaAJwgW4ton0k9KlSI42eq4RNJoZk-GucmqQ8XL1Jg9FnwJ5jf0igMtHE/s1600/IMG_2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfiNh0MJcYLkxsCeTSQ24MsBVnVxH_wkaEhYxc8i238_54sV_aGXQOeW5oIWNrEPzjquLZ9cnlOOqwxsQpAcaAJwgW4ton0k9KlSI42eq4RNJoZk-GucmqQ8XL1Jg9FnwJ5jf0igMtHE/s400/IMG_2724.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Wrightson in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceZY2Itu8T_zJGewcHxnVN-UECQoBg0pDOkxb3ZWg86bVfAxOB0eiK2lpYYT-1Wj5NHNoSkSL1seaLaydlTcyyIL35NyRkgXG7HXOGLtAu64hrFrKobAtjGB60IzgpASz-G53ZgMJzz4/s1600/IMG_2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceZY2Itu8T_zJGewcHxnVN-UECQoBg0pDOkxb3ZWg86bVfAxOB0eiK2lpYYT-1Wj5NHNoSkSL1seaLaydlTcyyIL35NyRkgXG7HXOGLtAu64hrFrKobAtjGB60IzgpASz-G53ZgMJzz4/s400/IMG_2725.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemont mine site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Great scenery, but I was getting tired already on this hilly
road. After a couple of mandatory stops, I finally pull into Sonoita for a late
lunch in the nice picnic area at the Shell station, out of the wind which has
suddenly picked up big-time. I was pretty wrecked, then the woman there tells me
the road ahead is not easy either. She also says I look too pale for a cyclist
(sunscreen?), so I pay her no mind. I’m not worried. I see a massive tailwind
in my future, and I don’t remember any big hills going this way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BOOM! I’m shot out of a cannon and head down, down, then
down some more, and it feels like someone has their hand on my back just
pushing me along the road. This is bike touring at its finest! I’m checking out
the scenery and barely pedaling at all with a strong wind out of the west.
Great grasslands! Doesn’t even matter that this seems to be the truck route
from Sonoita to points unknown. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ_WjcIJbI3Q1bC5wRrPfb79p8W574G8WXj2f4N788X0XfxExDw_xyLWPouxmQDjmXctyUiI6me57aTSIIoRMngNuWYi9MS9MtO1Oj5y-Y0KegCEBG-3I2rivGFFyALvh5sBwyang0O8/s1600/IMG_2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJ_WjcIJbI3Q1bC5wRrPfb79p8W574G8WXj2f4N788X0XfxExDw_xyLWPouxmQDjmXctyUiI6me57aTSIIoRMngNuWYi9MS9MtO1Oj5y-Y0KegCEBG-3I2rivGFFyALvh5sBwyang0O8/s400/IMG_2727.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy grasslands, Batman!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhnc6hQ3IUcz3-J7eNhH-Q2lfcspb5rYDKr_lqNDtvMO7mWYNGm-WoiuvzBK2bRPpAQPcD3riRK7tmtQxO62ah-VqKmJRozReLUQieDLZ6XVwonFoeeqMM-uj0mJyef8QCZwTv4rDnEo/s1600/IMG_2728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhnc6hQ3IUcz3-J7eNhH-Q2lfcspb5rYDKr_lqNDtvMO7mWYNGm-WoiuvzBK2bRPpAQPcD3riRK7tmtQxO62ah-VqKmJRozReLUQieDLZ6XVwonFoeeqMM-uj0mJyef8QCZwTv4rDnEo/s400/IMG_2728.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV8hsQCcpV2yBmmNY3cYwoRd1AGuv5rgh6jxwhIGHn2Cn73wLyzIMPYGOd1gJlnpCXY3dI2pNgfBJ7wkq703zowgyJGm892is6samfoF4-6y5BlH3kIwsze1FfXV7JdHRYBRClq_ebss/s1600/IMG_2730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV8hsQCcpV2yBmmNY3cYwoRd1AGuv5rgh6jxwhIGHn2Cn73wLyzIMPYGOd1gJlnpCXY3dI2pNgfBJ7wkq703zowgyJGm892is6samfoF4-6y5BlH3kIwsze1FfXV7JdHRYBRClq_ebss/s400/IMG_2730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I scream past the junction with HWY 90 and head still
further down to the river. These might be the easiest 30 miles I’ve ever done! I
go down some more. Makes me a little worried about climbing out of here
tomorrow. Nice sighting of two Swainson’s Hawks copulating somewhere in here.
Bet that would’ve been easy to miss in a car!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF1ISwWYt448XNtMmGrebfyhnzy5ucKmApumaJyRRX9_72dcRjsOnw8R6ljrNtk4jFDOd1naIchRoV8miNW9JNNsxX-0GLhXUy-ozG_MRqoENrKbgqNRjre87Ukzc23t0xp-1Xn0KGMw/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWF1ISwWYt448XNtMmGrebfyhnzy5ucKmApumaJyRRX9_72dcRjsOnw8R6ljrNtk4jFDOd1naIchRoV8miNW9JNNsxX-0GLhXUy-ozG_MRqoENrKbgqNRjre87Ukzc23t0xp-1Xn0KGMw/s400/IMG_2732.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gallery forest of San Pedro river with Dragoons in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZxP9uSSLChZ9Cqgl8y3ixIrzr3MByTVXMT1V8GZJ79S5qcS5Lf6fB8vKtPgf8PZtZuv_7zOGSF3lW5Fpp4bsytHTP9Fi-AUErd2sM-Prmdq5VTbp60AQhIHRuJX5cMGa5ri0GT53nBk/s1600/IMG_2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZxP9uSSLChZ9Cqgl8y3ixIrzr3MByTVXMT1V8GZJ79S5qcS5Lf6fB8vKtPgf8PZtZuv_7zOGSF3lW5Fpp4bsytHTP9Fi-AUErd2sM-Prmdq5VTbp60AQhIHRuJX5cMGa5ri0GT53nBk/s400/IMG_2733.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b8HgJRdS18rZK6VT__bjstNCXtvgYn-KQavRyWgstlGwZKdhI7upuZ1cngdmX2nfpc_R4hf1wRvgGM_nG2DPdaIJPt14F4zrvly01gU5WRgZuDVnTpgpFpQaUJzrvojsW_tB0Lo80Pg/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_b8HgJRdS18rZK6VT__bjstNCXtvgYn-KQavRyWgstlGwZKdhI7upuZ1cngdmX2nfpc_R4hf1wRvgGM_nG2DPdaIJPt14F4zrvly01gU5WRgZuDVnTpgpFpQaUJzrvojsW_tB0Lo80Pg/s400/IMG_2734.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mighty San Pedro...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A quick tour of the Fairbank ghost town, and here I am under
the cottonwoods with a million crickets!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxG5YCgnmU82ZQhajnm_22ZNicw3EpQWfDeTb3O6HZiUwS0RWEcNtgnN1IF0VGiNQYIrJU6iJa6LD46Sc93k4I-AMEo7m5ouG-fBm0LNfl5RANwbXY19XD3eS6eumgX6c3SDSw3DSTO0/s1600/IMG_2736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxG5YCgnmU82ZQhajnm_22ZNicw3EpQWfDeTb3O6HZiUwS0RWEcNtgnN1IF0VGiNQYIrJU6iJa6LD46Sc93k4I-AMEo7m5ouG-fBm0LNfl5RANwbXY19XD3eS6eumgX6c3SDSw3DSTO0/s400/IMG_2736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main St., Fairbank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WOG9886XmeL4JLq7ArDHp82Q_NvxvAxg8xNxodFl6hQncloV8Cgc_B5QdkmCKd4uWipuRTK3DMmxfMAomE5WgCSYuIZXNPWwoIQ8GFgA9Q3wRVFQva5ct_LULbuahiUo3C3wvZqxBtg/s1600/IMG_2738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WOG9886XmeL4JLq7ArDHp82Q_NvxvAxg8xNxodFl6hQncloV8Cgc_B5QdkmCKd4uWipuRTK3DMmxfMAomE5WgCSYuIZXNPWwoIQ8GFgA9Q3wRVFQva5ct_LULbuahiUo3C3wvZqxBtg/s400/IMG_2738.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12100011038751994263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-45943962475863627782013-01-28T21:11:00.002-08:002013-06-10T19:18:33.490-07:00Tour de Mogollon 2003<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_ocviewpt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_ocviewpt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">Oak Creek canyon lookout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Week and a half bike tour from Tucson up onto the Mogollon Rim and into the White Mtns a bit! Finish up outside Safford, AZ.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 1 – Oct 21 – Tucson
to Winkleman</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
70 miles, 5.5 hrs, Avg 12.9 mph</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rough day, stung by bee in the ear, knee pain. Melting in
heat. Camping in city park next to dry Gila River.
Mosquitoes and guys cruising park and smoking out. Have quiet corner hopefully.
Saw bobcat. Explosions from mine. Camping next to tam plants.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 2 – Winkleman to Roosevelt Lake</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
60 miles, 5:22, 11.2</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another rough day. Climb away from San Pedro river was
brutal. Seemed like 10—15 miles, 7%, no rest spots. HOT. El
Capitan pass, 5000ft. Kit Carson led the way over this one long
ago. Globe: neat old downtown, old man told me about route and dirt road to
Apache Junction. “Unbelievable scenery.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Good flat valley out of Globe. Short but steep climb. 9% for 6 miles on
other side to the Lake. Good RV park with a
shower. Ride in golf cart! Lounge for dinner. Saw javelina cross road today.
Road kill: 2 javies, hawk, ringtail cat!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cont.: Went to Quail’s Nest for burger. Marlins beat Yanks.
Anchor Steam on tap. Trailer next to me had HBO on loud all night. No one
there, or dead.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_globe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_globe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down to Globe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_roos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_roos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Roosevelt Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 3 – Roosevelt
Lake to Payson</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
70 miles, 6:08, 11.3</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good day. Easy rollers until last 10 miles, then climb up to
Payson.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roosevelt Dam – largest masonry structure in the world built
1906—1911. Stung by bee at lunch stop. Camping awesome- Houston Mesa Campground.
Juniper/ponderosa pine, no one here and showers! Got lost looking for it. Dark.
Asked for directions at radio station KMOG, almost made it on the air! Saw bull
elk.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 4 – Payson to Dead
Horse Ranch St Park</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
75 miles, 5:57, 12.6</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good day. Chuck made me pay $15! for site. He thought I was
crazy. Climb to Pine and Strawberry short but steep. Ladies at the real estate
office told me I had many more mountains to go. Climb up to Mog. Rim was easy.
Down, down to Camp
Verde, 7000 ft to 3300
ft. Nice women at Ranger Station. Hell ride to Cottonwood
with people yelling at me on crowded side road. Campground full, but staying
with Cub Scouts. Verde River nearby. Saw many
praying manti, 2 horned lizards and tons of locust things cannibalizing their
buddies on the roads. These things are giant!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_road.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Rim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 5- DHRSP to Oak
Creek Canyon,
Manzanita Campground</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
29 miles, 2:39, 10.8</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Went down to river at sunrise, saw otter. Scouts’ parents
thought I was crazy. All uphill to Sedona. Some century ride was going the
other way. Many people, not many waves. Last climb to Sedona steep and I feel
bad. The city sucks with traffic and too many SUVs/trucks that don’t fit in the
lane with me also in it. People in a hurry to get where on Saturday morning?
The canyon is no better. Score sweet camp site (walk-in) by creek. Host is
nice. Confused about what to do and when to do it.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_verde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_verde.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on the Verde river</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_century.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_century.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To Sedona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 6 – Oak Creek to Flagstaff</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
25 miles, 2:50, 8.8</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Short day, cold and windy. Awesome trip through Oak Creek Canyon early morning. The switchbacks
weren’t too bad, only 2 miles long, nice overlook at top. Talked to a few
people. Then highway had no shoulders—no fun. Staying at Snowbowl Motel. Kinda
dumpy. Walked downtown for lunch and beers at Mogollon Brewery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 7 – Flagstaff
to Holbrook</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
91 miles, 5:36, 16.2</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally an easy day. Riding on HWY 40 very flat with a
tailwind. Good drafting off of semi-trucks and cars. Lunch in Winslow. Flew
into Holbrook, mostly good shoulders. “Sleeping in a wigwam” tonight! Staying
with Loren in White
Mtn Lakes
tomorrow.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_humph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_humph.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Flagstaff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_corner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_corner.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standin' on a corner in Winslow, AZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_main.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wigwams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 8 – Holbrook to Loren’s house</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
44 miles, 3:25, 13.0</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pretty short day through the red rocks outside Holbrook. Got
weird slow leak in rear tire. Met Loren on road to his house. Drove around meeting
some of his friends. Country folk like you would see in the movies—hilarious,
car painter with a plate in his head. Went shopping-Loren is very
cost-conscious. Made hamburgers and watched PBS news. Discussed GW Bush and
other political issues. Loren is very “leave me along, government.” He loves
the country compared to cities, likes less rules. Went to the “Sandbagger” at
the golf course for breakfast. Met more of his friends. Loren was going south
of Flag to deer hunt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 9 – Loren’s to Springerville</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
49 miles, 4:17, 11.5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Short day became long. Winds out of SW were incredible.
Sometimes almost a tail wind but mostly a crosswind that was pushing me into
traffic. Wide-open prairies and volcanic cones felt like I was in middle of
nowhere. 10 miles out of Springerville tire went flat. Found huge piece of
steel-belted radial wire stuck in tire. Not feeling very good—limped into town.
Staying in motel. Heading south tomorrow, will winds switch? Watched LeBron
James's debut game. Incredible!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 10 – Springerville to Glenwood, Bighorn Campground</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
86 miles, 7:27, 11.5</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grueling day that would not end. Biting cold at first, sun
hiding behind clouds and smoke. Wind still howling, to Alpine was the worst.
Some gusts had me at a standstill. Without the wind the climb would have been
easy. In Alpine chatted with rangers, they thought I was there for a flu shot.
Called Catalina State Park, set up interview. Major
tailwinid and downhill to Luna. Then a climb rangers forgot to tell me about
was no fun, trying to get hard 40 miles in before sundown. Saliz Canyon
was beautiful, deep canyon of San
Francisco River
with big cottonwoods and willows in bottom, rock formations and ponderosa up
top. Last 20 miles after pass wasn’t all down, very rolling and hard for end of
day. Glenwood is a cozy little town with a few stores.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_springer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_springer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White mtns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_halloween.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luna, NM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Day 11 – Last day – Glenwood to Solomon (outside of Safford)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
80 miles, 7:14, 11.1</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another grueling day, more uphill than expected. More of the
same out of town all the way to turn off for 78. Awesome 11,000 ft mountains to
east. Mule Creek was cool, then the climb with 2 short passes. More mountains
in there than expected—very nice ponderosa forest, many campgrounds to explore
at a later date. Screaming descent into the “3 Way”, good scenery, lots of huge
rock outcrops. Then found out there was a climb to go—over the Black Hills. Oops. Looked brutal, very steep first few
miles with little shoulder. Dragged on into a headwind. Good descent on the
other side, but running out of light. Powered it on the flats with good views
of Mt Graham with setting sun behind it. Nothing at intersection with HWY 70,
so went on because of good shoulder (it was now dark). Solomon was last chance
for something, found La Paloma, Mexican food! Waiting for Elizabeth,
10 miles short of Roper
Lake. Happy Halloween!
Saw more foxes today, javelina, another grasshopper rode with me for a while.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Total miles: 682</b><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_mogmtns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_mogmtns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mogollon mtns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_mule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_mule.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mule Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_moon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Clifton, AZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_blkmtns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_blkmtns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset on the Black Hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_mtg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://www.tour-tales.com/newimages/az_mtg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset over Mt Graham</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12100011038751994263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-12355060139338391062011-08-11T17:16:00.000-07:002011-08-11T18:32:46.660-07:00Lemmon Overnighter II<div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl98i87Fmfcg0GVBWcb4Zj_uvan-qYUlP_ZsWXoGtQvHUgjqfVIDrjiGQBK7GYZ2fPVuGsUVWdh7dJUqLVy3zLPshoRqy1REa3nikBWWau45yRmaDTnppZNMaFBh3qcGC9V_pfBVUhTW8/s1600/IMG_8204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl98i87Fmfcg0GVBWcb4Zj_uvan-qYUlP_ZsWXoGtQvHUgjqfVIDrjiGQBK7GYZ2fPVuGsUVWdh7dJUqLVy3zLPshoRqy1REa3nikBWWau45yRmaDTnppZNMaFBh3qcGC9V_pfBVUhTW8/s320/IMG_8204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>My big bike tour of the year! Two nights up in the cool forests of Mt. Lemmon.<i><br />
</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i>August 3, 2011</i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just getting back from a little hike up canyon here at the Hitchcock campground on Mt Lemmon. I feel surprisingly good after the brutal ride to get here.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I left home in a light rain shower and had good cloud cover until after lunch at Molino Basin. Almost bonked before I got there, so figured it was a good time to stop.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0EjRAkGalOq5hCrhnBVh0NMZiiams76UiPRBSXwSpvIQj8xnYiX4A-Y_Uc6-CVJiFK4QODmMfKPlxH6dA-SGHAHb_rYUbNM1BXt8AC7ilDbBUL3_r0wWZdkdaASSWwO2hIAuEzJGsN8/s1600/IMG_8198.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0EjRAkGalOq5hCrhnBVh0NMZiiams76UiPRBSXwSpvIQj8xnYiX4A-Y_Uc6-CVJiFK4QODmMfKPlxH6dA-SGHAHb_rYUbNM1BXt8AC7ilDbBUL3_r0wWZdkdaASSWwO2hIAuEzJGsN8/s320/IMG_8198.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fritos for lunch in Molino</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once I got moving again the sun was out in full force and I was losing water fast in this humidity. Cramped up for a while, but had one descending cyclist really cheer for me while I was stopped. That didn’t help for long.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqHNL5E_nISafjl0uLP3FLy9I0yDmkbdeL8CzKW7UNA8hao3CADhbRkiCpbwVAnXXZXImfZ2waDZ1x049mVbaQUBue_2A1kOc5z7Jb-467DAEOCwiK6rrVlRWCr1qxMSbuSD02yjFcFM/s1600/IMG_8211.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqHNL5E_nISafjl0uLP3FLy9I0yDmkbdeL8CzKW7UNA8hao3CADhbRkiCpbwVAnXXZXImfZ2waDZ1x049mVbaQUBue_2A1kOc5z7Jb-467DAEOCwiK6rrVlRWCr1qxMSbuSD02yjFcFM/s320/IMG_8211.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Seven Cataracts</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I limped into Hitchcock, where I camped last year (same site too!), and found it empty, except for the forest rangers cleaning up. I said a hearty, “Howdy, looks like I have the place to myself!”, to which one replied, “Yeah, but you still have to pay the fee.” Thanks for the warm welcome…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I really took it slow up here knowing the trip wasn’t too far, but it really hurt. Got lots of photos. Only two hours ride time, but four hours total. Didn’t think I had stopped for <u>that</u> long. I was thinking it would be difficult for me to do this ride unloaded right now, so loaded down with lots of extra water and all my camping gear was a tough ask. But I am really happy to have all this water! Lots of it is still frozen too, which is wonderful! I should have enough for the ride up to Spencer canyon tomorrow.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCiHE2Ads8Q8TZvIUVVTimSO9pRqhmtNIC_mrhxL5CuetxPB4gBHwswYafBSuXMTqk8B0GiKx11OuZwd7drhl8LuizuwHKo06TM44f-uRrfQaVIYcogjvdVyoobQ-M1iJWRkPLY1O004/s1600/IMG_8213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCiHE2Ads8Q8TZvIUVVTimSO9pRqhmtNIC_mrhxL5CuetxPB4gBHwswYafBSuXMTqk8B0GiKx11OuZwd7drhl8LuizuwHKo06TM44f-uRrfQaVIYcogjvdVyoobQ-M1iJWRkPLY1O004/s320/IMG_8213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x3udkl_CcgkP4-VIcrUmAUunzwIHL4_WiFd3PNSy_b1qPKoj3Yssog-OQM9aT78M2w-DkrXWbESStcM4Z2RU1t3OEFL5dtNWdudr_BN3N1uiPO2wdwTaSxKNGJUtfVQVnDSihNHi-O8/s1600/IMG_8217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_x3udkl_CcgkP4-VIcrUmAUunzwIHL4_WiFd3PNSy_b1qPKoj3Yssog-OQM9aT78M2w-DkrXWbESStcM4Z2RU1t3OEFL5dtNWdudr_BN3N1uiPO2wdwTaSxKNGJUtfVQVnDSihNHi-O8/s320/IMG_8217.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing in the site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoXTSgIzrBV5qAGIxxx5R0W3K4YfehB1wnNKjnZkYxsFQ-jXkXDDJ1tpMECitPC56peBTM-QehAdjH8xURYT6CEq8iK-zjvW7nwvwKFPufQVrnvSYz_OdrZuuf4f01fBLS2kTnn-gbX4/s1600/IMG_8218.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoXTSgIzrBV5qAGIxxx5R0W3K4YfehB1wnNKjnZkYxsFQ-jXkXDDJ1tpMECitPC56peBTM-QehAdjH8xURYT6CEq8iK-zjvW7nwvwKFPufQVrnvSYz_OdrZuuf4f01fBLS2kTnn-gbX4/s320/IMG_8218.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponderosa</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVmxQtYN4JbC_efJatGs__tmBKEgb0BayvRJMvAuI0tNXUkdPQEuihgPbeBf0i55LmDjJo-1bpFniUlytMeKKiYqS7t_8U8aG3eHYm6KAsxsw7fHoLqpm5mURG0g3rD5KUXiWI6ZxGvo/s1600/IMG_8220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVmxQtYN4JbC_efJatGs__tmBKEgb0BayvRJMvAuI0tNXUkdPQEuihgPbeBf0i55LmDjJo-1bpFniUlytMeKKiYqS7t_8U8aG3eHYm6KAsxsw7fHoLqpm5mURG0g3rD5KUXiWI6ZxGvo/s320/IMG_8220.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little tent</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The bird list is going well so far, but I plan to keep it in my head for this trip. I did see a couple of vocalizing Cooper’s Hawks and the usual Peregrine Falcon family down near Seven Cataracts.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So much for the quiet camp tonight. Some guy just showed up and is now splitting wood in the site right next to me. Why, with a whole campground of sites…? Time to eat.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Day 2</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What a day (and night)! So my neighbor’s buddy shows up at 10 pm and they talk and play music until about 1 am. Then about 2am, the rain has finally moved in, so I jump out and put the fly on the tent. The rain cool things down quite a bit and my thin sleep sack is no longer keeping me very warm.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I try various combos of clothing, but for the most part I am cold for the rest of the night and don’t sleep very well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After the hard ride and unbearable night, I am seriously considering all my options. Bail out completely? Come on. Go down to Prison Camp where it’s warmer and mooch water from some other campers? Could work, but the day would be hot. I’d like to enjoy some cooler climes. Ride up 1500 ft higher to get water and bring it back down to Hitchcock? Doesn’t make sense. Definitely going up to Spencer at 8000 ft would be a colder night and include too much climbing that I am now not really in the mood for. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, a great compromise is to go up to 7000 ft and camp at Rose Canyon Lake. Yeah, there will be yahoos, but I figure hanging out by the water with the anglers will be a relaxing way to spend the day. Hopefully I’ll be warm enough if I sleep with all my clothes on!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After the mayhem of two hikers losing control of three dogs in my neighbor’s site where they had two other dogs, I leave Hitchcock quietly with the sun already beating down on me on the way up to Windy Point. A passing rider jokes that he was going to ask if I needed anything, but figured I already had everything. I told him I had too much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg6FuFG7A_ER5UY_0Le2-0JCSypXnsYqvTwYdFKQRAClxt_CIJHtfgdPFZLLHuQ_dh0hhz5p8qdmfviE06JaXeSDK4FgLTb7M_OS1uaihHFhX-rcDnz7MtGbidE-Bz34wKwWR_fILNqw/s1600/IMG_8226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg6FuFG7A_ER5UY_0Le2-0JCSypXnsYqvTwYdFKQRAClxt_CIJHtfgdPFZLLHuQ_dh0hhz5p8qdmfviE06JaXeSDK4FgLTb7M_OS1uaihHFhX-rcDnz7MtGbidE-Bz34wKwWR_fILNqw/s320/IMG_8226.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Windy Pt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I54-PAV1LvQVum5OMsap8kFSuEIFqe3Lh43X_XpaEAYQPRDwKNUJwsc9J7PQ84_g3rxXg__bv5Hd3OpWpdLyJUTuOfgMvzY76WiWdoD2LemGfLUtX_FKi57VjI-xg1XlLnhyruXb2Os/s1600/IMG_8235.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I54-PAV1LvQVum5OMsap8kFSuEIFqe3Lh43X_XpaEAYQPRDwKNUJwsc9J7PQ84_g3rxXg__bv5Hd3OpWpdLyJUTuOfgMvzY76WiWdoD2LemGfLUtX_FKi57VjI-xg1XlLnhyruXb2Os/s320/IMG_8235.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoodoos</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
I took a bunch of photos, made a call to Elizabeth, and the ride up to the lake is a good one. As usual, I score the best site in the place (they are often overlooked). Creekside (bone dry), shade, tall Ponderosas and shrubbery shielding me from the road, and only one other site next to me. I had to walk across the creek to get here, that’s why no one wants this site!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik6EST4mYYjiZypSvwOdWv21FNI4zHVy2vE0nif-4hOFpC13gZxtocxsXNgVWBIkK3vJUrHJDP-Y82sRIw2lcJ48evdgIVaxhdKS-P_igS-zaSuVoZEqS1yHZ6sZ-W5x96AyB-KskOPs/s1600/IMG_8240.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik6EST4mYYjiZypSvwOdWv21FNI4zHVy2vE0nif-4hOFpC13gZxtocxsXNgVWBIkK3vJUrHJDP-Y82sRIw2lcJ48evdgIVaxhdKS-P_igS-zaSuVoZEqS1yHZ6sZ-W5x96AyB-KskOPs/s320/IMG_8240.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best site</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFznP0SUoSx8iZAkne40HwpIcaMqdx3t3bLkTd-UtZ5MK0QqYs8ilwV2S1Yn7HRpF6kx6XiSi67a34pznmhrGGwzKgdlphxWrZ3Xi8jX_6cYA9c6F0I4Rt5Qxn3JPbDqYVjbUU-uwnW68/s1600/IMG_8244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFznP0SUoSx8iZAkne40HwpIcaMqdx3t3bLkTd-UtZ5MK0QqYs8ilwV2S1Yn7HRpF6kx6XiSi67a34pznmhrGGwzKgdlphxWrZ3Xi8jX_6cYA9c6F0I4Rt5Qxn3JPbDqYVjbUU-uwnW68/s320/IMG_8244.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had a very relaxing time at the lake, walking most way around and finding a shady spot to sit and watch the anglers and the clouds build.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sIPXCbqw6AvjbHupfQ3DWRsYmu1_S9p-LgckpUTuyUkf8HWjpy9Rf0dAYXFOJG_4k8-u_rSOEaWT_uiJBiBp78DYisVozVBiI226aem21ml_6iY5rl2pxdi4zTEmktcz7qax3XmqcEE/s1600/IMG_8264.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2sIPXCbqw6AvjbHupfQ3DWRsYmu1_S9p-LgckpUTuyUkf8HWjpy9Rf0dAYXFOJG_4k8-u_rSOEaWT_uiJBiBp78DYisVozVBiI226aem21ml_6iY5rl2pxdi4zTEmktcz7qax3XmqcEE/s320/IMG_8264.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Canyon Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83XnHxpUM-vYd_yh8JvnHG6riCyqDvNGW3Ukk-5uTVBltLGk1x7zMPFynTd-ZzotHJ-zENC913IIaXQLB4o88e6mpiVX9PTcX1Cmo-F1TVJlKtKvrTXPRFPqvkCgJaZux7J_yIvHhD4Q/s1600/IMG_8261.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83XnHxpUM-vYd_yh8JvnHG6riCyqDvNGW3Ukk-5uTVBltLGk1x7zMPFynTd-ZzotHJ-zENC913IIaXQLB4o88e6mpiVX9PTcX1Cmo-F1TVJlKtKvrTXPRFPqvkCgJaZux7J_yIvHhD4Q/s320/IMG_8261.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
I got to thinking about how different this was from the Sonoran desert and the city commotion below. Parents were spending time fishing with their kids, the snack shop was doing a brisk business, campfires were being lit. People were enjoying the pines and being outside! All of this, and yet I still realized that I was not on the edge of some vast forest wildness, but on the tip-top of an island surrounded by life that was drawing my thoughts downward.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><u>Day 3</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My tactic of wearing all my clothes worked great last night, I wasn’t cold at all.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After a good sleep-in, I went down to the lake again, but this time I took the trail. It was great! Big Ponderosas, boulders, lots of birds and even some pools in the creek. The lake was hopping compared to yesterday. You can tell what the weekend will be like, and I don’t want to be here. The amount of car traffic really picked up and the competition for sites was fierce.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRH39zbhsu9ezqfzQQuFX4tCwaC9U5Srp4qduzHKo6Hcn8AAoVgMY2yHikt9rEQmvy9uH4W3IT7rFuRxSNjdE-Zl2WQKzAxqYGeWPzDjMmqH8hi_PFa-fy2ZuMwkPe_MDQkNV8G6e3Zs/s1600/IMG_8265.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRH39zbhsu9ezqfzQQuFX4tCwaC9U5Srp4qduzHKo6Hcn8AAoVgMY2yHikt9rEQmvy9uH4W3IT7rFuRxSNjdE-Zl2WQKzAxqYGeWPzDjMmqH8hi_PFa-fy2ZuMwkPe_MDQkNV8G6e3Zs/s320/IMG_8265.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great mountain scenery right off the road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuaLap71M_Ka-_LkAhZ6qAIZx034YoK6pLBceqtU5jvrNaBH7YWmkig-XcVVWNhqbxd3hhm4sGOg95rKIvnTOLO_q68xVbq9ol8SRZ8kE9fYVJn7NwyQjm98rBPJUI6hd8X68l9q1K30/s1600/IMG_8267.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuaLap71M_Ka-_LkAhZ6qAIZx034YoK6pLBceqtU5jvrNaBH7YWmkig-XcVVWNhqbxd3hhm4sGOg95rKIvnTOLO_q68xVbq9ol8SRZ8kE9fYVJn7NwyQjm98rBPJUI6hd8X68l9q1K30/s320/IMG_8267.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pools</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXR8A48yd1BqHYmbogmrwEjOX1Onq5XGRdMbSpW1yaNdsirnycNYGiDjfpUGUYY3oSAKeP6ayviFvlilvIfvoJKhe1SjdljVizs2hn16y43KD28zOZjfK6P92ExACVWAKhjIMQsotrZk/s1600/IMG_8268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXR8A48yd1BqHYmbogmrwEjOX1Onq5XGRdMbSpW1yaNdsirnycNYGiDjfpUGUYY3oSAKeP6ayviFvlilvIfvoJKhe1SjdljVizs2hn16y43KD28zOZjfK6P92ExACVWAKhjIMQsotrZk/s320/IMG_8268.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><br />
As I packed up, the day’s thunder was already starting and there were big storms to the east. I was surprised to realize that the road up and out of the campground is one of the best roads on the mountain! I rode down into the heat and sweated my way across town only having to stop for one light the whole way!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This was a great get-away and some much needed time to myself. I figure I said only a handful of words to other people for the roughly 50 hours I was out. Not one person asked me where I was going or where I was from. I guess things are different on Mt Lemmon, a road to nowhere. Instead of being a wayward traveler enroute to some far off destination, I was just some weird loner guy, suffering up a mountain to camp by myself. Just what I needed!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>72 total miles</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>4500 ft climbed </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>?? birds</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Read the <a href="http://tucsonaudubon.blogspot.com/2010/07/birding-by-bicycle-mt-lemmon.html">Tucson Audubon Blog</a> for the more bird-oriented account of last year's trip.</b><br />
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<b>More photos:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKALppoRut-7YTLTnChLYXVMDcZRncDojImqrCSWmwjsw_Dq6QDmKa6Y7LQ1BSnxA55-eMWQl_PyVbZqHXW-3UTLd0Pd05oo6pGW6Lq3GwTVQlkWlr0LlsyNeVc-nXUWNR967y-syfFnk/s1600/IMG_8194.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKALppoRut-7YTLTnChLYXVMDcZRncDojImqrCSWmwjsw_Dq6QDmKa6Y7LQ1BSnxA55-eMWQl_PyVbZqHXW-3UTLd0Pd05oo6pGW6Lq3GwTVQlkWlr0LlsyNeVc-nXUWNR967y-syfFnk/s320/IMG_8194.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Babad Do'ag vista</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><b> </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_sxN0eUnNTYN6Z8p2QSo8mFHpCS4c8fRfymj8JNW9aeMHfFiJzB_EkutnDvxwhXNbTwvAv9vuFc-VjxvfoDgOwdk7jaAjOM2kvrGOl6rniptp-NmdRh5UW1_WVwgrMX2621wnAc3w2M/s1600/IMG_8250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_sxN0eUnNTYN6Z8p2QSo8mFHpCS4c8fRfymj8JNW9aeMHfFiJzB_EkutnDvxwhXNbTwvAv9vuFc-VjxvfoDgOwdk7jaAjOM2kvrGOl6rniptp-NmdRh5UW1_WVwgrMX2621wnAc3w2M/s320/IMG_8250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHv3wWd-nc8URP7kJNJMm8dhquZ3kxP8JxTfeXfVoVsG4jdZiLG-vMP64xfpmtZ9Jp1Fn61eYd0piq4Nym3K5HXIS5CMemX321uZeTev3DYjBrDZuistDbD1HcXRblOcwdb3vg8Ykivs/s1600/IMG_8238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHv3wWd-nc8URP7kJNJMm8dhquZ3kxP8JxTfeXfVoVsG4jdZiLG-vMP64xfpmtZ9Jp1Fn61eYd0piq4Nym3K5HXIS5CMemX321uZeTev3DYjBrDZuistDbD1HcXRblOcwdb3vg8Ykivs/s320/IMG_8238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b> </b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x746ADo1ZlYzVyf26fUAHO0oM5sVAnsHn2iyYvaGW67Ql8VI4mCgHb11mHlN7u6pmjbZUM04mgkihf1-ZXVrKjGj2L67I4IJLHjOjMGWPAQauANYFPV4bgIrlMy1RHSD3gULV_tC6MY/s1600/IMG_8201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x746ADo1ZlYzVyf26fUAHO0oM5sVAnsHn2iyYvaGW67Ql8VI4mCgHb11mHlN7u6pmjbZUM04mgkihf1-ZXVrKjGj2L67I4IJLHjOjMGWPAQauANYFPV4bgIrlMy1RHSD3gULV_tC6MY/s320/IMG_8201.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molino Basin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl0dhu2L_VxQKtY8C0bfF4YBQJBl9OZy7Lw3VxoOUzSUN-jOgpzrO7rVwN0HMTMh9Ht3o4natSSYB3-h1ovXSCLZ9UDOSVfmxEsk7IbFTmGswDsOmduXe_esFXv6yr8V11E7dGvssu-w/s1600/IMG_8205.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl0dhu2L_VxQKtY8C0bfF4YBQJBl9OZy7Lw3VxoOUzSUN-jOgpzrO7rVwN0HMTMh9Ht3o4natSSYB3-h1ovXSCLZ9UDOSVfmxEsk7IbFTmGswDsOmduXe_esFXv6yr8V11E7dGvssu-w/s320/IMG_8205.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prison Camp valley</td></tr>
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</b></div>Matt Griffithshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12100011038751994263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-87830977387044805762008-08-15T23:22:00.000-07:002008-08-15T23:27:20.849-07:00Back in Tucson - Blog UpdatedHi everyone!<br /><br />Well, we're home again, another tour completed. I spent two weeks dodging storms, eyes constantly fixed on cloud formations and lightning strikes. Now that the remnants of Hurricane Dolly have moved on it's darn hot here in Tucson and there's not a cloud in the sky!<br /><br />The tour went very well and was a lot of fun. I rode on some great New Mexico "blue highways" and learned that there are many more out there. I met some cool people and had some challenging moments. All the right ingredients for a successful trip!<br /><br />My journal and trip photos have now been added to the blog, so now you can read the full story! Enjoy!Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-9330833543269019942008-07-31T11:36:00.000-07:002008-08-15T23:22:16.334-07:00Cimarron to Coyote Creek State Park<strong>Last Day 12 – 40 miles, 3:10, 14.4 AVG<br /></strong><br />Hanging with the Oklahomans next door. Another lazy morning and some sun made this marginal site a pretty good place to hang out. The roaring creek 20 ft away was fun.<br /><br /><a title="blackjack by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761796444/"><img height="500" alt="blackjack" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2761796444_d1ef30798a.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Blackjack Campground<br /></span><br />I went down canyon a bit to check out the rock formations. It was pure bliss riding in this canyon; warm, no wind and flat. The idiot Oklahoman truck driver ruined all that, briefly.<br /><br />It was a quick climb back over to Eagle Nest again, and I was headed right into another rain storm! So early today. I decided to head into it and not wait. It wasn’t long that I was through it and into the sunshine. Another blink of an eye and I was in Angel Fire. What a let down. I was expecting more, a bigger ski town than Red River. There was pretty much nothing except a Bald Eagle sighting.<br /><br />A talk with Elizabeth and we decided that I should go south to Coyote Creek State Park (on the southern loop of the Enchanted Circle), due to the crowded highway toward Taos and weather patterns. What a great choice it turned out to be! Highway 434 was awesome and fun, even though I got pelted by hail on the technical downhill section. The road has no middle line it’s so narrow, and it snaked through the forest like a small trail. At one point I was weaving past an open pine forest, and the next I was cruising through a narrow cliff-lined canyon that held a creek and dense riparian trees.<br /><br />It ended all too soon when I reached the State Park. I grabbed the last site with a ramada structure. This was key when the rain storm hit, and now everyone seems to want my site. Because I didn’t pitch a tent right away and only had a bike, people thought I might be just having lunch, even though it was like 6 pm. The “traffic” eyeing my site is almost unbearable. I kind of feel like I’m on display up here in my zoo cage ramada! There is a great view of the mountains behind the creek, though.<br /><br />Elizabeth should be here soon and that will be the official end of the tour. Overall it was a great tour. All this rain has turned out to be very manageable. I’m also happy that the modifications I made to some equipment worked on reducing the pains I had last year. The route was amazing and it seems there are many other choices for a whole other tour!<br /><br />BIRDS<br /><br />Bald Eagle - Belted Kingfisher - Warbling Vireo - Mountain Blue Bird -<br />Lewis’s Woodpecker<br /><br />TOTALS FOR TOUR:<br /><br />Birds: 80 Miles: 675<br /><br /><a title="enchanted_circle by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760949783/"><img height="500" alt="enchanted_circle" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2760949783_bfdf72f98a.jpg" width="376" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Outside Angel Fire</span>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-28991794642763369072008-07-24T22:16:00.000-07:002008-08-15T23:03:58.603-07:00Day 11 - Junebug Campground (Red River) to Cimarron Canyon State Park<a title="IMG_7393 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2672672187/"><img height="500" alt="IMG_7393" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/2672672187_01cf401657.jpg" width="333" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh, I wish my wife were in New Mexico with me!</span></span><br /><br />Well, Matt is about to get his wish. And isn't it nice to see that he thinks in the subjunctive?<br /><br />After meeting more Tucsonans at the campground last night, Matt hit the road once again. He declared Red River to be a charming mountain town, and full of Texans to boot. Eagle's Nest was much less picturesque, but it did have a gas station with a roof he could hide under as the latest downpour began. He also got to enjoy a burger on the patio of a bar in town.<br /><br />He headed down towards Cimarron Canyon State Park, but was wary of descending too far, since this part of New Mexico is "where the mountains meet the plains." The first campground, which had water, was full, so he had to continue on to the second, more primitive campground.<br /><br />Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving Tucson to join him somewhere in the vicinity of Taos and the Enchanted Circle. When we're back, Matt will update all the blog entries with writing from his travel journal and photos from the trip. It'll be good stuff, so be sure to check back in again soon!<br /><br />Today's route map (who knows what map will show up here. The Google maps are going all wiggety wack -- what's up, Blogger??):<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT<br /></span><strong>Day 11 – 31 miles, 2:39, 11.5</strong><br /><br />After fending off the family of raccoons, last night was very quiet on my empty side of the campground. Got to love those sites that RVs can’t fit into! I might have heard (and seen) another Spotted Owl, must check out that call I heard. Decided to have a lazy morning and enjoy the forest. I mistakenly left my loaf of bread (packed away, of course) for a few minutes in the presence of ground squirrels. So, I came back to find one of them had dug into my pannier and chomped on a few slices!<br /><br />I headed up the road a bit to the little ski town of Red River. I had thought I was about 3 miles away, but found out my quiet forest campsite was only half a mile from town! So I toured the small, but very busy scenic mountain town. Lots of motels, condos, bars, sports stores, etc, and mostly Texans with a few Kansans thrown in. Met some cyclists at the town market, and one of them was from Tucson! Why have I met so many Tucsonans on this trip?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760946843/" title="bobcat by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3097/2760946843_e8ee2fc2b8.jpg" width="360" height="500" alt="bobcat" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Finally, a pass sign!<br /></span><br />Up the steep Bobcat Pass (9800 ft) was short and then I had a long downhill pretty much the whole way to Eagle Nest. The scenery was amazing! Some views of a few of the big Sangre de Cristo peaks (Wheeler I think, the highest in New Mexico) and the descent into the beautiful Moreno Valley which opens up to expansive views of meadows and grassland.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760947613/" title="wheeler by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2760947613_ecc758553e.jpg" width="500" height="314" alt="wheeler" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Descending from Bobcat, Wheeler Peak?</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761795092/" title="moreno_valley by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/2761795092_f4509d413b.jpg" width="500" height="297" alt="moreno_valley" /></a><br />Moreno Valley with Baldy Peak in the background</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></p></span>Continuing in my “lazy tour” mode, I stopped in Eagle Nest for a burger at the local pub. While eating the sky seemed to close in from all directions, so I found a phone and a place to put the bike under a roof – the Shamrock gas station. I hunkered down for about 2 hours as it poured, chatting with some of the travelers about my odd form of transportation.<br /><br />After a while I saw my break and went for it, up the steep climb out of the valley and 3 miles to the first campground down in the lush canyon of Cimarron State Park. No room and too many people and RVs anyway. I filled all my water bottles and moved on to the next campground, 4 more miles down the canyon in a light rain. Blackjack is an interesting campground where the sites are spread out along a trail next to a rushing creek. No cars! Luckily there’s a site open (there are only 5 total), and finally, a bear locker to put all my stuff into instead of in my tent!<br /><br />The canyon here is damp and cool. I may not see the sun for a while tomorrow.<br /><br />BIRDS<br /></span>Swainson’s Hawk - Violet Green Swallow - American Crow<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760947239/" title="e_town by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2760947239_cec694900a_m.jpg" width="200" height="240" alt="e_town" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Elizabeth Town<br /></span><br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=1231176507883953935,36.537620,-105.221140&saddr=Red+River,+NM&daddr=US-64,+Uninc+Colfax+County,+New+Mexico+(Cimarron+Canyon+State+Park)&mra=pe&mrcr=0&doflg=ptm&sll=36.633467,-105.326889&sspn=0.274403,0.42572&ie=UTF8&ll=36.632611,-105.325241&spn=0.17069,0.18458&t=h&output=embed&s=AARTsJoRFvPJzWqblralkH0eL2FtSB4LaQ" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=1231176507883953935,36.537620,-105.221140&saddr=Red+River,+NM&daddr=US-64,+Uninc+Colfax+County,+New+Mexico+(Cimarron+Canyon+State+Park)&mra=pe&mrcr=0&doflg=ptm&sll=36.633467,-105.326889&sspn=0.274403,0.42572&ie=UTF8&ll=36.632611,-105.325241&spn=0.17069,0.18458&t=h&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-74704994627133949382008-07-23T22:33:00.000-07:002008-08-15T22:52:55.636-07:00Day 10 - Questa - Junebug campgroundMatt had a great time relaxing at Jack and Heidi's. He only rode about 10 miles today, to another really nice campground.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_7362 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2673465808/"><img height="333" alt="IMG_7362" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3022/2673465808_7a06cc2c4b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The 90-pound steed</span></span><br /><br />Wow, this is a short post to go along with the short ride!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /></span><strong>Day 10 – 13 miles, 1:13, 10.4 AVG<br /></strong><br /><a title="e_circle_sign by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761797140/"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761797140/" title="e_circle_sign by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2761797140_36121e56de_m.jpg" width="240" height="179" alt="e_circle_sign" /></a><br /><br />Had a very relaxing time in Questa, lots of good eating and TV watching and playing with Avery. Left late today to travel a short distance up the Enchanted Circle highway. I finally made it! Pretty cool so far, narrow canyon with jagged red/orange outcroppings not too unlike Cave Creek in the Chiricahuas. I camped near the rushing Red River, watched the fly fishermen that seem to be everywhere in New Mexico and had some leftover stew for dinner (thanks again, Jack!). I think from here on out I’ll be taking it easier on the bike and focus on staying in these mountains for the rest of the trip.<br /><br />Must have spent too much time inside today – no new birds!<br /><br /><a title="junebug by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761792362/"><img height="500" alt="junebug" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3116/2761792362_bb467ec9bf.jpg" width="356" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Junebug Campground</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a title="junebug_bike by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761792964/"><img height="180" alt="junebug_bike" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2761792964_99082032f6_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />Yawn, another bike picture<br /></span><br />Map:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Questa,+NM%5C&daddr=red+river,+nm&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=67.724291,108.984375&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.69652,-105.500755&spn=0.03112,0.19005&output=embed&s=AARTsJq4vspXQqHm85w2Aj_s3Eyt3lVHlQ" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Questa,+NM%5C&daddr=red+river,+nm&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=67.724291,108.984375&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.69652,-105.500755&spn=0.03112,0.19005&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small></p>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-44067588708007704652008-07-22T20:50:00.001-07:002008-08-15T22:34:56.392-07:00Day 9 - Hopewell Lake to QuestaMatt really enjoyed his night at the pretty Hopewell Lake campground. After he picked his site, he found out that the campground was fairly crowded, but he had his area almost to himself, which was nice.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_7355 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2672637269/"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760941699/" title="hopewell_spruce by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2760941699_e24099386f.jpg" width="500" height="369" alt="hopewell_spruce" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">It was very cozy under that spruce tree<br /></span><br />Matt met up with another touring cyclist from Arizona today. He was an older man who owns some property in Show Low, but for all intents and purposes is homeless at the moment. They talked for a while over lunch, and then Matt headed over the Rio Grande. The lunch maybe went a little long, because an afternoon storm was brewing. Matt sought shelter and waited for about a half an hour before continuing.<br /><br />After struggling over more brutal rollers (his least favorite kind of cycling terrain, if you haven't picked up on that), Matt finally had the Questa Q in his sights! He stopped off at the market for some beer, of course, and then slogged up one more big hill to Jack's house. Irish Stew was on the menu tonight, but with a green chile New Mexican twist. He'll enjoy some Gleeson hospitality this evening until tomorrow afternoon when he'll hit the road again.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 9 – 70 miles, 4:47, 14.2 AVG<br /></strong><br />A great morning at the mountain meadow campsite. I rolled down hill for a while until the road hit a very large level valley that I had to climb out of. More up than I was expecting. I ran into Neil, a touring cyclist from Tucson, who was resting on the climb with a beer he had just found on the side of the road! Neil was “reinventing” himself after a divorce and was heading to Taos to see what he could stir up.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761787846/" title="neil by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2761787846_ed2e50566e_m.jpg" width="173" height="240" alt="neil" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Neil and his free beer<br /></span><br />After the peak it was a long slow downhill all the way to the Rio Grande and the beautiful bridge that spans the deep gorge there. It was a great place for lunch and I had the best view around. Not surprisingly, Neil caught up to me, so we had some lunch together. We watched as a huge cell of storm clouds moved in from the south. I decided to take off and try to get in front of it, while Neil told me he usually pitches his tent and jumps inside at the first sign of rain. I was hoping it would push me right into Questa. Not long after I left I knew this wasn’t going to happen as I pedaled real hard into the fierce headwind it was generating. I tried riding on the narrow sidewalk going across the bridge to take a photo over the edge, but the wind nearly blew me into traffic. It was still scary just standing up against the railing! The storm was looking pretty mean and had started to produce lightning, so I waited it out inside a warehouse along the highway.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760942219/" title="gorgeous by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2760942219_bac9048ae7.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="gorgeous" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">My bike likes to pose, Rio Grande Gorge</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761790120/" title="rio_grande by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2761790120_31dc1075b5_m.jpg" width="178" height="240" alt="rio_grande" /></a><br />It doesn't look windy, does it?</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></p></span>I made it up to the junction with Hwy 522, where it looked like a massive downpour had just occurred, and then had a glorious tailwind on my way north. I was making great time until I hit the huge rollers. These were no fun, especially the giant of Garrapata Canyon. I finally rolled into Questa thoroughly destroyed, loaded up a six-pack for the evening and found Jack and Heidi’s place just past the one stoplight in town.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761791870/" title="family by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2761791870_4e44a269fc_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="family" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The Gleeson family, Questa, NM<br /></span><br />It was a great time meeting Jack’s family, shooting hoops with the Sangre de Cristos as a backdrop and eating a fine Irish/New Mexican stew prepared by Jack.<br /><br />BIRDS<br />Spotted Owl - House Finch<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761787172/" title="sangre_pano by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2761787172_45e66348b4.jpg" width="500" height="187" alt="sangre_pano" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The Sangre de Cristo Mountains and a whole bunch of sage brush</span><br /><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761791440/" title="avery_numberone by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2761791440_988dc76166.jpg" width="500" height="411" alt="avery_numberone" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Avery is ready for a career in sports!</span><br /><br />Today's route:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Hopewell+Dam&daddr=Questa,+NM&sll=36.706825,-105.595436&sspn=0.068536,0.10643&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.586695,-105.914785&spn=0.25957,0.63877&output=embed&s=AARTsJr9MdG54lIpyJ8e89hjrL17bP_OXg" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Hopewell+Dam&daddr=Questa,+NM&sll=36.706825,-105.595436&sspn=0.068536,0.10643&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.586695,-105.914785&spn=0.25957,0.63877&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small></p>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-45159890251106646242008-07-21T22:27:00.000-07:002008-08-15T22:05:03.726-07:00Day 8 - Ghost Ranch to Hopewell LakeIt was tough to leave the Ghost Ranch in the morning, especially since Matt could've used a <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//tour08/?id=results/tour08Restday2">rest day</a> at this point. But everyone wished him well and waved to him as he rode off.<br /><br />Today's ride was less than 60 miles, but included 4,000 feet of climbing to reach the Hopewell Lake Campground, just past a 10,000 foot pass in the mountains. The first leg climbing up 2,000 feet into Tierra Amarilla, or T.A. as the locals call it, was into a headwind. T.A. wasn't much of a town, but it had a gas station with a mini-mart and a pay phone, and therefore had everything Matt really needed before he headed up towards the pass. He also got to talk to a local cyclist, who assured him he'd have no problem with the ride.<br /><br />Yet again rain was threatening, but it only sprinkled. Matt reached the top of the pass before he thought he would. The campground was situated on a <a href="http://www.fotosearch.com/NGF012/78712357/">lovely meadow</a> in the forest. Tomorrow he plans to head down, down, down and across the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042895/">Rio Grande</a> to Questa to see our friend Jack, his wife Heidi and their baby girl, Avery! The timing is great because Jack will be heading out of town on Wednesday.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 8 – 67 miles, 6:18, 10.6 AVG<br /></strong><br /><a title="ghost_camp by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760932555/"><img height="168" alt="ghost_camp" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2760932555_416de83d65_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">My Ghost Camp</span><br /><br />Well, it was hard to leave the Ghost Ranch. I met so many people and the vibe was very relaxing. If I wasn’t trying to meet Jack I think I would have stayed another night. But I pushed on and upwards. I didn’t think it was going to be so up to Tierra Amarilla, but turns out I climbed 1800 ft into a headwind. Definitely the whole area has a very mountain forest feel, even though it was only PJ (big PJ).<br /><br />I roll into T.A. and find no market in town but do find only the biggest and scariest thunderhead I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It towered over the valley, bright white at its top, rain pouring out of the bottom. I would have tried to take a picture of it, but I knew it was pointless to try to capture that. Now I regret that I didn’t try. It did make it into this photo, though:<br /><br /><a title="zapata by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760933509/"><img height="500" alt="zapata" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3149/2760933509_e534e1a6fd.jpg" width="357" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Tierra Amarilla politics with gigantic cloud in background</span><br /><br />Anyway, I talk to a couple of the town drunks and also meet a cyclist who lives nearby. He gives me the lowdown on the huge pass I’m about to head over (and have already started to worry about). I feel better after getting some info on the climb and where a campground is that has water. Never can tell who you’ll meet at the local True Value Hardware/community center!<br /><br /><a title="tusas_wall by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761782816/"><img height="240" alt="tusas_wall" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/2761782816_54dd641e21_m.jpg" width="190" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Why do I ride into this?<br /></span><br />So I start off on this 28 mile, 2500 ft climb staring up at a dark wall of clouds hovering over the Tusas Mountains. I pretty much assume I’m in for some rain on this one as I jam up the lower slopes aided by a nice tailwind and the whole package of ham I had for lunch. I’m getting up there and the switchbacks start and the climb really kicks in. Also the rain is moving in on me from all directions, multiple cells cracking off lightning here and there.<br /><br /><a title="cloudlight by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761781224/"><img height="375" alt="cloudlight" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2761781224_126e5bbb1f.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Scary, but beautiful stuff</span><br /><br />I’m really losing it toward the top, sweating like crazy but freezing, almost certain the downpour is about to begin. But I turn a corner and suddenly recognize that I’m near the top, and surprisingly, the other side of the mountain top is all clear of rain! Not being quite sure how this possible, I take advantage of the situation and decide to take in the view points, snap some pictures of the alpine meadows and get a good look at the Brazos Cliffs, 2000 ft vertical quartzite monoliths that tower over the valley below. Also, I take note of the scene of the infamous “Matt loses the car keys in the snow and Beto almost freezes to death waiting” incident of 2002.<br /><br />Still not sure where exactly this campground is, I begin to worry as I’m still riding and go up and over some pretty big hills on this massive plateau on top of the Tusas. Finally I reach it and not long after the skies clear and the sun warms me and the meadows up here at 10,500 ft. It was a very trying day, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to feeling so vulnerable out there on the open roads.<br /><br /><a title="tusas_pano by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760937123/"><img height="114" alt="tusas_pano" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3110/2760937123_09c3408bd9.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The top of the Tusas</span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a title="brazos by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761784868/"><img height="267" alt="brazos" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2761784868_c9c7b81e25.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Brazos Cliffs</p></span><a title="hopewell by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760939183/"><img height="192" alt="hopewell" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2760939183_b9a78a0d86.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The view from my site, Hopewell Lake Campground<br /></span><br />I’ve got a great site, and it’s a beautiful, calm and clear night in the forest. I’ll fly downhill tomorrow and meet Jack in Questa.<br /><br />BIRDS<br />Blue Gray Gnatcatcher - White-crowned Sparrow - Canyon Towhee - Western Scrub Jay - Dark-eyed Junco<br /></span><br /><a title="mexico by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760933999/"><img height="210" alt="mexico" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/2760933999_7967efa89a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">More Tierra Amarilla artwork</span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a title="tusas_meadow by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760935549/"><img height="345" alt="tusas_meadow" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/2760935549_9313780a5a.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />The rain is coming!</p></span><a title="tusas_sun by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760938285/"><img height="180" alt="tusas_sun" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/2760938285_8a72b7fb53_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />The high plateau of the Tusas Mountains<br /><br />Today's route:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=ghost+ranch,+NM&daddr=hopewell+lake,+nm&sll=36.379105,-106.609995&sspn=1.101218,1.702881&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.51924,-106.397105&spn=0.43402,0.32587&output=embed&s=AARTsJr8-bzMBz5r2KyGAF-nE-hetd74Rw" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=ghost+ranch,+NM&daddr=hopewell+lake,+nm&sll=36.379105,-106.609995&sspn=1.101218,1.702881&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.51924,-106.397105&spn=0.43402,0.32587&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small><br /><br /></span>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-65481415673651145562008-07-21T22:03:00.000-07:002008-08-14T21:39:21.279-07:00Day 7 - Cuba to Ghost RanchThis was an easy day for Matt, finally! It was mostly downhill. He paused at a campground near the Abiquiu Reservoir and thought of camping there to take a swim and whoop it up with the lake yahoos. But he decided to press on to the north when yet another storm was rolling in.<br /><br />This time he was able to outrun the storm as he headed downhill in a tailwind. He ended up at the <a href="http://www.ghostranch.org/">Ghost Ranch</a> visitor center, asking about another campground nearby. But it turned out that Ghost Ranch had its own camping facilities with showers and even dinner! Matt dined on prime rib that night and said the food was great.<br /><br />The Ghost Ranch was still a dude ranch in 1934 when <a href="http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC063369/georgiaokeefe2.bmp">Georgia O'Keefe</a> first stayed there. It is now associated with the Presbyterian Church and most guests are there to attend seminars of various sorts. Matt met a couple who was there for an archeology dig -- he was actually camped in their usual site, as they come back to the Ghost Ranch yearly. They took the site next to him and didn't mind "sharing" their usual spot with him. He also met a friend of <a href="http://wherearesarahandmatt.blogspot.com/">Matt & Sarah's </a>from Tucson!<br /><br /><a title="IMG_7371 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2673473868/"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 7 – 67 miles, 4:48, 13.9<br /></strong><br />Don’t know where to begin. Another classic tour day!<br /><br />Had a great rest last night with Oceans 12 and Girl Interrupted on TV. Left Cuba without a hitch and started out on the beautiful Hwy 96. Slowly uphill but not hard through valleys of pasture surrounded by the archetypal northern New Mexican sandstone cliffs. Going up one big hill, what do I see, not one or two touristas coming my way, but a group of 13! Too bad for the hill, they didn’t want to stop and talk. Why would they? They each had 12 other people they could talk to whenever they wanted to!<br /><br /><a title="gallina by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761776492/"><img height="169" alt="gallina" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2761776492_bfcef4a508.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Formation outside of Gallina</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a title="hwy96 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761775792/"><img height="341" alt="hwy96" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3004/2761775792_3228f7803e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Before the drop to Abiquiu</p></span>Made it to the high point in the pine forest with dark clouds closing in. Then down, down, down. Lunch in Coyote brought a cell in, so took advantage of the tailwind and the downhill to outrun the storm. This didn’t go exactly according to plan, but the rain felt good and suddenly I was at Abiquiu Lake watching vacationers boat and jet ski.<br /></span><br /><a title="abiquiu_lake by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761775140/"><img height="323" alt="abiquiu_lake" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/2761775140_6ae756e194.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Abiquiu Lake<br /></span><br />Another big cell came in, so I decided to move on when it turned into a monster. A loud thunder clap right near me filled me with the adrenaline I needed to make it up the hill to the turn off for Hwy 84. Again aided by tailwinds and the downhill, I quickly outran the storm.<br /><br />This is where the day got very interesting. I was shooting for the Echo Amphitheater campground but wasn’t sure how far it was. So, stopped in at the Ghost Ranch visitor center where I was informed that the campground was closed due to trouble with the camphost. Great. But, they tell me, there’s a campground a mile back at the actual Ghost Ranch, which is now a large conference center. Sounded perfect to me; a chance to check out the historical site made famous by Georgia O’Keefe and get a shower!<br /><br /><a title="ghost_ranch by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760930763/"></a><a title="ghost_ranch by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760930763/"><img height="131" alt="ghost_ranch" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2760930763_415300fe23.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">No wonder Georgia O'Keefe loved this place, Ghost Ranch<br /></span><br />The old dude ranch is now owned by the Presbyterian Church and many church retreats and conferences are held here (even though there is a very hippy-ish feel to the place, at least in the campground). Just so happens that a two week camp is about to begin, and I meet Brandon from Tucson who is taking part as a teacher. Oh, also there is a prime rib feast tonight. Couldn’t pass that up!<br /><br />So, I go down to eat with my new church friends and find that Brandon used to live right across from Matt! and Sarah, my co-workers who are now on a world tour! Small world. I take in some sightseeing on the ranch grounds, checking out the historical buildings and looking for some new birds.<br /><br />I got back to my campsite and found that I have neighbors, and they like to hang out, in my site! Oh well, this is what a tour is about, in large part, so I oblige. Turns out they’ve been coming out here for years, just like the church people, only they’re here for an archaeology dig and seminar. What an interesting place and mix of people! So, Howard, who is a cyclist of sorts and once rode from San Diego to Palo Alto, is quite the character. He tells me I have taken their campsite, the one they use every year. Anyway, his son worked at Hughes Aircraft in El Segundo, and we figure he and my dad probably know each other. We both vow to find out. Some more talk of Burning Man and bike commuting and there you have it. A classic day.<br /><br /><a title="schwitkis by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761779958/"><img height="240" alt="schwitkis" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2761779958_63047bd2b2_m.jpg" width="201" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Neighbors for a night, Howard and Mazzie Schwitkis<br /></span><br />BIRDS<br />Bush Tit - Yellow-rumped Warbler - European Starling - Lark Sparrow - Chipping Sparrow - American Coot - Mallard<br /><br /><a title="gh_tree by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760931963/"><img height="500" alt="gh_tree" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2760931963_7853907da4.jpg" width="375" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The original dude ranch structure, the Ghost House</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a title="gh_window by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760931437/"><img height="180" alt="gh_window" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2760931437_cf1e7344e6_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />Classic southwest colors</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a title="ghost_house by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761777816/"><img height="170" alt="ghost_house" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2761777816_4b1df35890_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />The Ghost House</p></span>Route map for day 7:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Cuba,+NM&daddr=ghost+ranch,+nm&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=67.724291,108.984375&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.169365,-106.698035&spn=0.29481,0.57557&output=embed&s=AARTsJpJddVl9KitaGDQmhivFuwXU3Wk4Q" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Cuba,+NM&daddr=ghost+ranch,+nm&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=67.724291,108.984375&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=36.169365,-106.698035&spn=0.29481,0.57557&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small><br /></span>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-56292281121004908512008-07-19T18:55:00.000-07:002008-08-14T19:40:42.364-07:00Day 6 - Pueblo Pintado to CubaThe laundromat near Pueblo Pintado turned out to be quite a hotbed of activity. Many of the homes in the area don't have running water, so there were a lot of people at the <a href="http://outsideforever.com/2007/great-divide-mtb/chaco-washchaco-mesa-nm/">Chaco Wash</a> to do their laundry and take showers. Once again, he received a friendly reception and was told he could pitch his tent anywhere.<br /><br />Unfortunately, most of the land was fairly rocky and dog poo, presumably from the 2 dogs roaming around, was quite prevalent. When it started to rain, he decided to set up in front of the laundromat near the road, so that he could stow his bike under a roof. He thought he'd be alone there for the night, but was glad when the older couple who owned the laundromat locked the gate after the business closed and went into their nearby house. Due to its dilapidated state, Matt had thought it was abandoned and he was surprised than anyone lived there.<br /><br />By 2:00 p.m. the next day he had reached the town of Cuba and was checked in to the Del Prado Motel. Once again he was enjoying the wonders of cable TV (and always searching for <a href="http://www.versus.com/tdf/">Versus</a>, which never seemed to be there), but was looking forward to a meal soon at <a href="http://www.elbrunos.com/">El Bruno's</a>!<br /><br />Tomorrow he'll head back into the mountains near Abiquiu. Stay tuned!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 6 – 52 miles, 4:14, 12.1 AVG</strong><br /><p>This was a pretty short day but was very painful on certain body parts for some reason.<br /><br />Turned out to be a good night at the laundromat. Dinner was rushed as a massive rain cell moved in and threatened. So, I moved my operation under the roof in front of the building and had one young woman ask, “Are you going to sleep there?” I talked with the owners when they got home to shut the gates, and they were super nice. I didn’t realize they actually lived on site in a dilapidated trailer, so I felt a little safer to pitch my tent in sight of the highway. When I left in the morning the place was packed with kids and parents doing laundry and taking showers. I realized this was a great community asset (and meeting place) since many of the people have no running water.</p><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760928893/" title="chacowash by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2760928893_40952142f1.jpg" width="500" height="301" alt="chacowash" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Chaco Wash camp<br /></span><br />The ride started off into a headwind and slowly going up over some large rollers. Made it to Torreon and found more Mariettas Fig Newtons (my new fave snack) and an egg/sausage biscuit sandwich that saved me. This was also where the highway turned from SE to NE, giving me a sort of tailwind. The ride wasn’t very hard, but this is where the pains set in for some reason.<br /><br />I made it to Cuba and got some info from the ranger station. Found the El Prado motel and had a New Mexican feast at El Brunos, a longtime local landmark. Also found that the ranger I talked with worked there. No wonder she plugged the restaurant! The green chile burrito was spicy and I’m stuffed. Time for a nap.<br /><br />BIRDS</p>Black-throated Sparrow - Yellow-breasted Chat<br /><br />Today's map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Pueblo+Pintado,+Uninc+McKinley+County,+NM&daddr=cuba,+nm&sll=35.97498,-107.66965&sspn=0.008648,0.013304&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=10">here</a>.Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-388524127312628922008-07-19T18:24:00.000-07:002008-08-14T19:34:24.050-07:00Day 5 - El Malpais to Pueblo PintadoThe first epic day of the tour! These were Matt's words in describing Friday's route. He called in the morning from a town just past Grants, the first "big city" he had gone through on this tour. He had just gone through a motorcycle rally called Fire & Ice. I was hoping that the motorcyclists would ride alongside him in a convoy à la<span style="FONT-STYLE: italic"></span><em></em> Peewee's Big Adventure.<br /><br />Matt nixed the idea of heading along I-40 (note that he would've been riding on a frontage road, not on the actual interstate as I said in the last entry) and decided to head up into the unknown lands near Chaco Canyon.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_7367 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2672650061/"><img height="333" alt="IMG_7367" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2672650061_af4e96d099.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Always stylish, Matt even sports bling on his bike.</span></span><br /><br />It was a 91 mile day, most of it over brutal rollers that seemed to climb very high, but never descend enough to get a downhill. And he was riding through uranium mining territory, so instead of the mostly traffic-free roads he had been enjoying since his tour began, he was passed by a semi every few minutes.<br /><br />Luckily a ranger at El Malpais had told him about the oasis town of Pueblo Pintado, because it was not even on Matt's AAA map. Several of the towns that were named on his map never appeared in real life, so checking with a local for information really paid off. The area around Pueblo Pintado is populated mostly by Native Americans, and Matt said that everyone was very friendly to him when he inquired at a small market.<br /><br />There was a chapter house with a shower nearby, but it had closed for the day. Matt was told that he was welcome to camp anywhere in the area, but the call of a shower was strong. Fortunately, there were more showers at a laundromat 5 miles further up the road, so he was most likely going to head there.<br /><br />His bird count for the day was low, but he was very happy to pick up a <a href="http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/living/graphics/pigeon1.jpg">rock dove</a> in town.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 5 – 92 miles, 6:28, 14.3 AVG<br /></strong><br />Finally an epic day!<br /><br />So, I wasn’t alone last night after all. An RV came in and generated for a long while, and then two separate campers came in and camped right next to me even though the rest of the campground was completely empty! Oh well, I don’t mind the company right now.<br /><br /><a title="malpais by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761766280/"><img height="240" alt="malpais" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2761766280_24259a48d9_m.jpg" width="195" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Malpais camp in pinyon/juniper<br /></span><br />Back at the visitors center, another ranger gave me the lowdown on Pueblo Pintado, the only “town” that had any services on my route today (but wasn’t even on my map!).<br /><br />Hit Grants, the largest city I’ve gone through so far, and it turns out the big “Fire and Ice” motorcycle rally is going on this weekend. Too bad I’m the wrong kind of biker. A band was warming up with some Judas Priest, and the burgers were smelling good.<br /><br /><a title="malpais by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761766280/"></a><a title="bike_giveaway by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760919163/"><img height="387" alt="bike_giveaway" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3232/2760919163_d9178befac.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I would never give my bike away! Grants biker rally<br /></span><br />I got out of there real fast, as the “big” city was wearing on me. Heading out into the middle of nowhere I noticed the clouds were building early, and sure enough, the rain came and chased me along for most of the day. Also, noticed an awful lot of semi trucks passing me in both directions, and then remembered the ranger had told me that this was a major uranium mining region. There were a lot of trucks, and it was getting very annoying.<br /><br /><a title="mckinley_sign by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760922059/"><img height="359" alt="mckinley_sign" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2760922059_320f6662c5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Middle of nowhere, HWY 605<br /></span><br />After about 35 miles, I finally passed the last mining area and suddenly the road was all mine! I was traversing some awesome terrain that was very challenging to ride. Very long rolling hills were wearing me down as the trend seemed to be mostly up hill. But the beautiful mesas, cliffs and red rock were the perfect eye candy to keep my mind off the work at hand.<br /><br /><a title="hwy509_lunch by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760928107/"><img height="209" alt="hwy509_lunch" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2760928107_00dab464dd.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Lunch spot on HWY 509<br /></span><br /><a title="pueblop_canyon by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761772224/"><img height="263" alt="pueblop_canyon" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2761772224_af697e7dc0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Canyon outside of Pueblo Pintado</span><br /><br />Toward P. Pintado I dropped lower into very desolate and dry rangeland, and I really felt like I was lost in the desert. One very steep but short climb dropped me into a more lush canyon surrounded on all sides by amazing red rock cliffs. This canyon led right to P.P. and the very nice people at the market/gas station. I’m not on any reservation here, but the majority of the people are Native American. Many Divide mountain bikers pass through here too, and the people at the market were well versed in laying out the nearby camping options. I find out that there are showers at a laundromat, the Chaco Wash, about five miles up the road, and I can camp there too. With a tailwind, I couldn’t refuse this offer!<br /><br />So, now I’m camped behind a laundromat in the middle of nowhere with the Disney Channel on inside and a pack of dogs outside. I’ve got an awesome view of rain squalls moving in at sunset.<br /><br />BIRDS<br />Rock Pigeon - Killdeer - White-winged Dove<br /><br /><a title="desolation by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760926885/"><img height="172" alt="desolation" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2760926885_01e9fee9de_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Desolation before...</span><br /><p><a title="road_curves by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761772774/"><img height="174" alt="road_curves" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3124/2761772774_5c8f009573_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Lush canyon</span></p><p><a title="chacowash_rain by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760928327/"><img height="300" alt="chacowash_rain" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2760928327_0b2362cdc7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Sunset at the Chaco Wash</span></p>Today's epic route:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13466135293888714853,35.055870,-107.801630&saddr=Grants,+NM&daddr=35.038992,-107.803345+to:pueblo+pintado,+nm&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=8&via=1&sll=35.509872,-107.819824&sspn=2.226748,3.405762&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.509872,-107.819824&spn=2.226748,3.405762&output=embed&s=AARTsJoYiiI2jBAjGGrKraVivLYiukjegQ" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=13466135293888714853,35.055870,-107.801630&saddr=Grants,+NM&daddr=35.038992,-107.803345+to:pueblo+pintado,+nm&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=8&via=1&sll=35.509872,-107.819824&sspn=2.226748,3.405762&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=35.509872,-107.819824&spn=2.226748,3.405762&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-20587127716150436862008-07-17T20:55:00.000-07:002008-08-14T19:00:41.342-07:00Day 4 - Quemado to El MalpaisToday was an easy day for Matt, mostly downhill, and he was happy about it. He found the areas he rode through surprisingly lush.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_7376 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2672660865/"><img height="333" alt="IMG_7376" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/2672660865_e49dcc551b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Mmm, what's for dinner tonight?</span><br /><br />The motel stay last night was fine, but he felt like it was a little early in the tour to stay in a motel room. He would rather be outdoors!<br /><br />He had the choice tonight to camp right near the visitor center at El Malpais, right in between the parking lot and a building (the rangers took pity on him), or at a campground 2 miles back up the hill he just came down. He needed to come to the visitor center to get water anyway. He insists that the key item he needs at camp is a picnic table, so that he has someplace to sit down. There is a picnic table at the visitor center, but it's not right next to the area where he could camp. It sounded like he was probably going to be heading back up that hill.<br /><br />Matt had not made a final decision on tomorrow's route yet. He'll be calling from a town he'll pass through to let me know where he'll go. The choices include his original planned route north through some very tiny towns, or a trip down I-40! Riding a bike on the interstate is legal and he's done it before in Arizona, making very good time in fact. We'll have to wait and see which way he decides to go.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 4 – 75 miles, 5:17, 14 AVG</strong><br /><p><a title="cibola_sign by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760917977/"><img height="240" alt="cibola_sign" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/2760917977_275de97752_m.jpg" width="226" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Another county, another sign</span></p><p>Had a restful night in Quemado motel. Loaded up on water and headed north. Ride today was awesome. Great scenery through PJ and open plains and lots of rangelands. Very green.</p><p><a title="hwy117 by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761770346/"><img height="164" alt="hwy117" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2761770346_a9c62e7d53_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">No towns out here!<br /></span><br />No towns today, but lots of downhill! And even some tailwinds. Flew into the Malpais and tried to sightsee a bit, but most sites were too far off the road (except La Ventana). Saw the prairie dogs though! The volcanic activity is pretty old here, and I didn’t get to see much anyway since the road skirts around the lava flows. </p><p><a title="ventana_arch by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760920311/"><img height="352" alt="ventana_arch" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2760920311_0ee1b9fb03.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">La Ventana Arch, Malpais<br /></span><br />Had to pass the campground for the visitor center to get more water. The rangers there must have had a good laugh at my expense. I was so indecisive about where to camp (the Great Divide mountain bike trail passes nearby, and some riders have chosen to camp at the visitor center), but I eventually back tracked the two miles to this lonely BLM campsite. Alone again! But I’ve found some shade and a pair of Juniper Titmice to keep me company. And I’ve got pot sherds in the site! I’m sandwiched here between the Acoma and Zuni pueblos. The terrain is now starting to look like the typical northern New Mexico mesa and sandstone bluff.<br /><br />BIRDS<br />Juniper Titmouse - Says Phoebe - Rock Wren - Loggerhead Shrike - Northern Mockingbird</p><p><a title="malpais_lava by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761771254/"><img height="151" alt="malpais_lava" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2761771254_cdc07e0909_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Lava and cactus, Malpais</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><a title="malpais_cliffs by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761771696/"><img height="250" alt="malpais_cliffs" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2761771696_977a1742ac.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Let the sandstone begin! Malpais<br /></span><br />Today's route map:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Quemado,+NM&daddr=34.946739,-107.825317&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&sll=34.746126,-108.132935&sspn=1.12389,1.702881&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.746126,-108.132935&spn=1.12389,1.702881&output=embed&s=AARTsJruz9TNH5Kb1lX5g8SIaj43PrWPDg" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Quemado,+NM&daddr=34.946739,-107.825317&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&sll=34.746126,-108.132935&sspn=1.12389,1.702881&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.746126,-108.132935&spn=1.12389,1.702881&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small></p>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-89328401569474764462008-07-16T20:42:00.000-07:002008-08-14T18:24:57.365-07:00Day 3 - Reserve, NM to Quemado, NMMatt finally got a day with no rain today. After a dinner in the plush laundry room of the RV park consisting of jerky and other items that didn't need to be cooked, he was ready for a break from the rain.<br /><br />He called this morning to check in from the tiny town of Apache Creek. He is keeping a bird list this year and has already seen a lot of species.<br /><br />He is spending the night tonight at a motel in Quemado (with HBO!), and may check out a local restaurant in search of some good New Mexican cuisine. The payphone he called from this afternoon was only working as a listening device for him until he banged the handset on something hard. Working payphones are becoming increasingly hard to find. But since he can't charge his cell phone regularly and coverage in rural areas is spotty and battery-sucking, payphones are still his best bet.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_7379 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2673484334/"><img height="500" alt="IMG_7379" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2673484334_26a5ea4968.jpg" width="333" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What do you mean I can't keep cold beer in stock on my bike?</span></span><br /><br />Tomorrow he is off to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/elma/">El Malpais National Monument</a> and parts unknown. He'll be riding through a very lightly populated area and will decide his next day's route tomorrow night.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 3 – 47 miles, 4:05, 11.4 AVG<br /></strong><br />Said goodbye to Jim and Manny and took off toward Apache Creek. Left the verdant valleys and headed up into the PJ and pine over the pass to Quemado. Only one really steep section (where the NMDOT guys told me to find a smaller gear) then slowly downhill into the headwind to Quemado. Nice little New Mexican town here, a bit run down but genuine. No where else to go but the motel in town. I’ve got a good view of the mountains and fields behind my room. Lots of birds in the cottonwoods and the chorus of toads to fall asleep to. (along with the sounds of my construction worker neighbors enjoying their post work beers).<br /><br />Feeling pretty low on energy today, will get some good rest before the hot, lonely ride to the Malpais tomorrow.<br /><br />BIRDS<br />House Wren - Red–winged Blackbird - Yellow Warbler - Ash Throated Flycatcher<br />Pine Siskin - American Kestrel - Common Yellowthroat - Brown-headed Cowbird<br />Lesser Goldfinch - Summer Tanager - Song Sparrow<br /><br />Today's route map:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Reserve,+NM&daddr=quemado,+nm&sll=33.743755,-109.035187&sspn=0.568681,0.85144&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.02841,-108.62607&spn=0.63162,0.26382&output=embed&s=AARTsJrmQJ48NTwpIpnR-PB8FZD-sv-oFg" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Reserve,+NM&daddr=quemado,+nm&sll=33.743755,-109.035187&sspn=0.568681,0.85144&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=34.02841,-108.62607&spn=0.63162,0.26382&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-74735672348736125502008-07-15T20:58:00.000-07:002008-08-14T18:13:33.843-07:00Day 2 - Hannagan Meadow, AZ to Reserve, NMMatt called tonight from the RV park in Reserve. He had showered and shaved and was feeling pretty good.<br /><br />It rained a lot during the day and he had to seek shelter a few times. We couldn't talk long, because he was on his cell phone and it was a pretty bad connection. He'll call again tomorrow from a pay phone to fill me in on more details.<br /><br />Here's a <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=Hannagan+Meadow,+Uninc+Greenlee+County,+AZ&daddr=reserve,+nm&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=67.724291,108.984375&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=33.743755,-109.035187&spn=0.568681,0.85144&z=10">link</a> to today's route map.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /><strong>Day 2 – 69 miles, 4:53, 14.1 AVG<br /></strong><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761761904/" title="bike_nmsign by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/2761761904_9cb267e67b.jpg" width="370" height="500" alt="bike_nmsign" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I made it to New Mexico</span><br /><br />The day broke crystal clear in the mountains. Located spots of sun in the forest to dry things out. No more rain last night, but rain almost all day today. From Alpine on I was constantly catching up to the storm. Waited about an hour and a half at a RV park right outside Alpine under a carport ramada thing as the skies opened up again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760916051/" title="alpine_rain by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2760916051_35cc39a406_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="alpine_rain" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hiding under the carport</span><br /></span><br />Through on and off rain showers, finally dropped down from the firs and spruce, through the pines and into the pinyon/juniper (PJ). Made it Reserve, NM to find out the RV park in town no longer exists. Seven miles farther and I am now at Apache RV park in Cruzville. Showered and shaved and actually drying some clothes in a dryer! Been very wet last two nights.<br /><br />All the “locals” here came out to watch me pitch the tent, ask me the standard tour questions, and blocked my site so no one would drive through it during the night. Manny gave me a beer (Miller Lite never tasted so good!).<br /><br />I’m hiding here in the laundry room waiting to see what the latest storm is going to do. Some pretty mean lightning out there. Very handy to have this room to store my stuff in over night.<br /><br />BIRDS<br />Barn Swallow - Great Blue Heron - Western Bluebird - House Sparrow<br />Mourning Dove - Yellow Eyed Junco - Western Wood Pewee <br />Western Meadowlark - Rufous Hummer - Eurasian Collared Dove<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2760914875/" title="apacherv by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2760914875_1fc7d07ce2_m.jpg" width="240" height="147" alt="apacherv" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">My parking spot and laundry room</span>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-91892318851237652822008-07-14T22:53:00.000-07:002008-08-14T21:02:08.207-07:00Day 1 - Granville to Hannagan MeadowDay 1 - Granville to Hannagan Meadow<br /><br />Matt called to check in about 4:30 p.m. saying he had made it to Hannagan Meadow. It was Bastille Day, and while Piepoli and Evans were <a href="http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/tour08/?id=results/tour0810">tearing up the Hautacam</a>, Matt was chugging up into the White Mountains at 4-5 miles per hour. He stopped at a campground to eat and take a nap, and considered staying there, but decided to push on to his day's goal of Hannagan Meadow.<br /><br />While we were on the phone, he heard the first clap of thunder and decided he'd better go get his tent set up right away. Tomorrow he plans to head for an RV park he stayed at once before in Reserve, New Mexico.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"><strong>UPDATE FROM MATT</strong></span><br /><strong>Day 1 cont. 53 miles, 5:17, 10 mph AVG<br /></strong><br /><a title="hannagan by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761763260/"><img height="353" alt="hannagan" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2761763260_83d4a1fdf5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">In the forest again!<br /></span><br />Well here I am at Hannagan Meadows again, and like always, it’s raining. Barely had time to set up the tent and then the skies opened up. Sitting here in front of the vault toilets. Luckily there’s a nice big overhanging roof to hide under. I’ve sponged off using rain water and had a snack of jerky and cheese.<br /><br />It was a good first day on tour considering it couldn’t have been much harder. It was pretty much a 53 mile climb up to about 9000 ft. The first half was ok, second half very brutal at times. Feeling good though, new equipment seems to be treating me well. No hotspots on feet; hands not too numb.<br /><br />Hopefully the rain will stop soon so I don’t have to cook dinner in front of the toilets. But I’m sure the red squirrels are happy with the rain!<br /><br />BIRDS<br />Western Tanager - Hairy Woodpecker - American Robin - Red-tailed Hawk<br />Steller’s Jay - White Breasted Nuthatch - Solitary Vireo - Broad-tailed Hummer<br />Cordilleran Flycatcher<br /><br /><a title="hwy191 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761764246/"><img height="200" alt="hwy191" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2761764246_740040ed36.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">The climb is just beginning...</span><br /><br />Check out the terrain on the map of his route today:<br /><iframe marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=granville,+az&daddr=hannagan+meadow,+az&sll=32.10746,-110.40091&sspn=1.158576,1.702881&layer=c&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=33.416715,-109.34908&spn=0.44521,0.08888&output=embed&s=AARTsJq2bDYtWHuoy8rym4KCJ4_QNeNBhg" frameborder="0" width="425" scrolling="no" height="350"></iframe><br /><small><a style="COLOR: #0000ff; TEXT-ALIGN: left" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=&saddr=granville,+az&daddr=hannagan+meadow,+az&sll=32.10746,-110.40091&sspn=1.158576,1.702881&layer=c&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=33.416715,-109.34908&spn=0.44521,0.08888&source=embed">View Larger Map</a></small>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-235432252178690652008-07-14T20:49:00.000-07:002008-08-14T19:05:01.235-07:00And so it begins - New Mexico Tour<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761762284/" title="me_nmsign by Elizabeth&Matt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2761762284_a5927cb703_m.jpg" width="240" height="168" alt="me_nmsign" /></a><br /><br />Matt's tour adventures this year began before he ever got on his bike. The plan was to give him a head start by driving 3-1/2 hours to the Granville Campground in the foothills of the White Mountains on Saturday. We would camp there together, and then he would set out the next morning on his bike while I returned home.<br /><br />Fair warning: this is a long post!<br /><br />Matt had to conduct an <a href="http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/azibaprogram/index.htm">IBA</a> birding survey on the San Pedro River Saturday morning, so he spent Friday night at a motel in San Manuel in order to rise at 4:30 a.m. The riparian habitat he saw was amazing as he tromped through it seeking and finding hawk nests, yellow billed cuckoos, and Southwestern willow flycatchers. He arrived home about 1:30 p.m., finished packing up, and we left for the campground at 4:00.<br /><br />The trip there was mostly uneventful, except for the speeding ticket I got on highway 191 on the way to Safford (hi, Officer Peru!). This was my first speeding ticket since high school, and both now and then, I was doing 70 in a 55 mile zone. Stupidly, I was speeding in a construction zone, but no one was working on Saturday evening and we were making good time, so why slow down for the 4 miles of construction? A half mile from the end of the zone, I met a Highway Patrol officer going the other way, and he turned around and pulled me over. Officer Peru generously gave me a 64 in a 55 mph speed limit ticket, so the fee is only about 50 bucks and it won't go on my driving record. The speed limits in Arizona are so high that I rarely go more than 5 miles over the posted limit, so I will stick to that habit more consistently in the future!<br /><br />Our brush the with law over, we passed through the Mormon town of <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/elaw/2156166924/in/set-72157603605037311/">Safford</a>, turned at the junction in the hamlet of Three Way, Arizona (where there is an abandoned drive-in theater with the screen still in great shape -- a perfect outdoor revival house waiting to be revived), went over a pass and came to the mining towns of Clifton and Morenci. The <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d4/PostcardMorenciAZAerialViewCirca1910.jpg">original town</a> of Morenci was buried years ago by tailings from the ginormous Phelps Dodge Morenci Mine, which is one of the largest open pit mines in the world, and the biggest copper operation in North America. It extends 10 miles along an extremely windy road with many hairpin turns. Driving through it is a little bit like being on an amusement park ride, with lot of giant piles of rocks, conveyor belts, unbelievably huge cranes and dump trucks, and moving equipment everywhere. Only it's not so amusing seeing the destruction from the mine so close up.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_5967 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2670373790/"><img height="500" alt="IMG_5967" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/2670373790_9230c2db8c.jpg" width="333" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Squint and you can see the beginning of the mine -- it's the spot of bare earth in the distance.</span><br /><br />We arrived at the empty campground around 7:45, set up our tent and made dinner. It had rained a little before we arrived and the ground was still damp. Everything smelled clean and wet, with the scent of cedar (there were oak and cypress trees; I'm not sure where the cedar smell came from). When dinner was almost ready, my cell phone starting buzzing in my back pocket. It was our home alarm system notifying us that the burglar alarm was going off. We had just had it installed at the beginning of June and had a false alarm a few weeks ago, so we were annoyed but not too concerned. We called a neighbor, who walked over to check out the front of the house, but didn't see anything. She didn't want to walk around back because it was dark, and since we thought it was another false alarm, we didn't worry about it. About a half an hour later we got a call from a Tucson Police Department officer telling us that our house had been broken into.<br /><br />Another neighbor had called the police when they heard the (very loud) alarm. Several other neighbors gathered to see what the commotion was. The officer got my cell phone number from our friend Celine, and called to tell me that someone had thrown a rock through our back bathroom window, unlatched it and opened the window. He said there had been no entry into the house. Celine and her husband Dylan most generously stayed after the police left to clean up broken glass, tape up the window with cardboard, and look after our 2 cats. Unfortunately, Gila was nowhere to be found inside or out. We were certain he had jumped out the open window and escaped out the open side gate.<br /><br />As soon as we learned that Gila was missing, we packed up camp and left for home. Gila might come when we called, but he would probably be too scared to come for anyone else, and who knows where he was? We departed the campground at 10:30 p.m. We kept passing landmarks with Gila in their name (Gila Box Conservation Area, Gila River), and also passed 2 animal shelters. We tried to keep dark thoughts away by listening to tunes from the iPod and tried to stave off sleep with nothing except a couple of Altoids.<br /><br />We arrived home a little before 2:00 a.m. I could not believe my eyes when I saw Gila waiting with Yeti inside at the front door when we came in. He must have had an awfully good hiding place! The trip back was a waste of gas, but we couldn't have been happier with the outcome.<br /><br />It turned out that the intruder had come inside the house, into my office off the bathroom. It looked like they pulled out my keyboard tray looking for my laptop (but it was locked up out of sight), and they pulled our smoke detector off the wall (thinking it was the source of the alarm?). But nothing was missing. Amazing. We felt very lucky that we have such great neighbors and that we installed the alarm when we did!<br /><br />The next morning, we put a piece of plywood up over the broken window. Ironically, it was a double paned window that already had a problem with condensation in between the panes. We had been needing the replace the window for a while already, so it was the best one they could have chosen to break!<br /><br />We discussed our options over breakfast and decided that Matt shouldn't have to give up his trip over this mishap. We headed back to the Granville Campground on Sunday to do it all over again, but this time I would be coming back the same night.<br /><br />We made it to the (still empty) campground around 5:00 p.m. Matt picked a different site for his solo stay and I had a quick nap while he unloaded the car. It was a little harder to say goodbye than it would have been if Matt were taking off on his bike. At 6:45 I had to leave him to fend for himself. He was making plans to keep busy by seeing how much of his stuff he could fit in his little tent and trying to raccoon-proof his food.<br /><br />I stopped to pick up dinner at a 24 hour drive-through taco shop in Safford and continued towards home. It was dark by this time and I could see lightening off in the distance to the south, the direction I was heading. It started getting quite windy, but I didn't think anything of it. I did notice that the lightning had gotten a lot larger. All of a sudden, I entered a tempest. Instantly, it was raining (and maybe hailing) harder than I can ever remember while driving. I could see just a few feet ahead and could barely follow the white line along the side of the road. There was no shoulder, so I had to continue, moving very slowly. Finally, just short of the interstate on-ramp, I found a shoulder where I could pull over. I did what they tell you to do during dust storms in Arizona, and pulled completely off the road and turned off my lights. There was an insane amount of water coming down, and the flashes from the lightening temporarily lit everything up like a glowing fog, followed by several seconds of blindness. The thunder was so loud it made the car shake. I was very glad not to be on the interstate yet! A few other cars pulled over near me, although they kept their lights on. A smaller number of cars sped by. I waited for half an hour, then took off. The rain was still heavy, but there was good visibility and the rain stopped completely about 75 miles from Tucson.<br /><br />Matt called me to check in about 10:30 p.m. and reported that 2 cars had come into the campground, but the drivers appeared to be sleeping in their cars and not setting up camp. At least he wasn't alone anymore. I made it home about 11:00, where the grateful kitties were waiting for me.<br /><br />I heard from Matt again the next morning. It had rained heavily during the night, but all was well inside his tent. He had managed to fit everything (except his bike) inside the tent, so everything stayed dry. Everything except for the tent, which was wet and splattered with mud. He'd be setting off soon for Hannagan Meadow, about 53 miles from Granville.<br /><br /><a title="IMG_7372 by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2672655839/"><img height="333" alt="IMG_7372" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2672655839_557f187f69.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">I think I was wearing this same shirt in last year's pre-tour photos. I need to get some new pre-tour outfits, I guess!<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;" >UPDATE FROM MATT</span><br /></span><b>Day 1 – July 14, 2008<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></b><o:p><br /><br /></o:p>Finally getting into tour mode after the happenings of the past weekend. Little strange at first since <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Elizabeth</st1:city></st1:place> just left me here at Granville campground. Last year we parted and I just rode away; kept my mind off what I was about to do. This year, I was just sitting at a picnic table in the woods.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I did find <i>This American Life</i> on KUAZ on the little radio, going in and out of static. Then I watched as a strange wolf-dog lurked through the campground in the near darkness. Spooky. Do the reintroduced wolves come down this far? I wondered. Some travelers came in, taking a break from the endlessly curvy road I’m about to ride up today. A big storm moved in last night. Little blue tent weathered it pretty good. Also found out I can fit all my bags inside with room to spare! Not bad for a 3 lb tent. I will attempt to keep a bird list for the trip (something else to do).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Well, better get moving on this 50 mile climb up to Hannagan Meadows!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><u>BIRDS<o:p></o:p></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Acorn Woodpecker<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Painted Redstart<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Northern Flicker<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Turkey Vulture<br />Western Screech Owl<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Band-tailed Pigeon<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Spotted Towhee<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Hutton’s Vireo<br />Bridled Titmouse<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Common Raven<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Whiskered Screech Owl<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Hermit Thrush<span style="font-size:0;"><br /></span>Black-headed Grosbeak<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Mexican Jay<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Arizona Woodpecker<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>- Mountain Chickadee -<br />Whip-poor-will - Canyon Wren<span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /></span><b><a title="wet_tent by Elizabeth&amp;Matt, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/2761765300/"><img height="500" alt="wet_tent" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2761765300_de1b281f6b.jpg" width="375" /></a></b><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">It all fits inside! (after the rain)<br /></span><br /><br /></p><span style="font-size:0;"></span>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-82825642760468812282008-07-08T21:17:00.000-07:002008-07-09T17:46:28.623-07:00New Mexico Tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYttUs__-swp00jDQ2lLdtNQtsvOJSeSymLEBEkRitQyk4ULLVJw1d40MM61N6uAhvB_nD4oaNuglKyEaOFPqy4c4n_qw2SkFLNIk-gfN90AWQXruw8h8vdrj7AVBC26i9kyV1vFvs8w/s1600-h/sign_new-mexico7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYttUs__-swp00jDQ2lLdtNQtsvOJSeSymLEBEkRitQyk4ULLVJw1d40MM61N6uAhvB_nD4oaNuglKyEaOFPqy4c4n_qw2SkFLNIk-gfN90AWQXruw8h8vdrj7AVBC26i9kyV1vFvs8w/s400/sign_new-mexico7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221179976182909474" border="0" /></a>Yes, I'm taking another bike tour!<br /><br />I'll be riding up through the White Mountains in Arizona, then cutting NE to northern New Mexico. I'll stay in the mountains on the way to the Sangre de Cristo range and the Enchanted Circle, just north of Taos.<br /><br />I hope to leave this weekend, July 13, so check back after that to find out "Where's Matt At".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_yetktFqzoUjrJPozj1DgVi9ej_t9ByFxk_H86egKrcUOnzG1ykdrB-SzWizBMU7xM8VyxoLAP2rOsocTjFZDyTGGcIzkPY7fD2KaEJ6mTdOuxNXpbgHSZkInvwmX69RpvbiA7pHa2Q/s1600-h/newmexico.jpg"><br /></a>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-87051256720245555892007-08-19T18:47:00.000-07:002008-08-14T17:18:47.223-07:00Day 16 – Last day! Wood River to Stanley - Utah Tour<p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Day 16 – Last day! Also 10 year anniv. of start of ’97 Tour<br /><st1:placename st="on">Wood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">River</st1:placetype> to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Stanley</st1:place></st1:city> - 55.8 miles, 4:00, 13.8 avg</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Had a good last night on tour. A neighbor, Stan, invited me over for pork roast and potatoes. So, I had a traditional Mormon camp meal! Complete with Jell-o. Four kids and Mom also. Oldest boy, Justin, going to BYU, and three younger girls, who all seemed to be afraid of me. Mom said they thought I would bite. All were very reserved and well behaved. After dinner we made “pies” with those sandwich cooker things. They had lots of games and a very lavish camp, complete with an outdoor TV for video game playing. It was a great time.</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>A lazy morning ensued, I think knowing it was the last day drained some motivation. Up <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Galena</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Pass</st1:placetype></st1:place> was beautiful and pretty easy. Had a big muffin at Galena Lodge that powered me over the climb.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1163680672/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1413/1163680672_2635be0646_m.jpg" alt="galena" height="240" width="205" /></a><br />The last pass of the tour. Can you tell the end is near?<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal">The descent was a screamer and had amazing views of the massive wall of the Sawtooths. I had forgotten that these mountains really do rival the Tetons for awe-inspiration.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162877731/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1423/1162877731_ca9fc39227.jpg" alt="sawtooths" height="278" width="500" /></a><br />The Sawtooth Mtns<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal">Had a good visit to the Stanley Ranger Station, the ranger was very helpful and wanted to know about my trip. Flew into <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Stanley</st1:place></st1:city> with a downhill tailwind the whole way from the pass. I think this is the first time the whole tour! It was great. I quickly found that all the hotels in town were full, but a chance visit to the largest one found a last-minute cancellation. We had a room! </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I’ve showered, had a beer, watching TV in comfort, and it actually rained. First real rain I’ve seen in two weeks! Good timing I guess.</p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162824713/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1369/1162824713_7ed4040e08.jpg" alt="finish" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />Looking forward to the next adventure! (You gotta enlarge this one)</p><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Please check out my personal website,</span> <a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/">Tour Tales</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">, for more bike touring fun.</span></span><br /><p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-39923461875229433092007-08-19T18:46:00.000-07:002008-07-06T16:30:12.447-07:00Day 15 – Craters to Wood River Campground, Sawtooths Scenic Hwy<p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Day 15 – Craters to <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Wood</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place> Campground, <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Sawtooths Scenic Hwy</st1:address></st1:street><br />78.8 miles, 5:37, 13.6 avg</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Nice morning in the Craters, more shade from my lovely Limber pine. Which, I learned from the program last night, is probably a couple thousand years old. Can that be right?<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162844685/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1191/1162844685_b6f390a53a.jpg" alt="lava_tent" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />My ancient Limber pine<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal">Anyway, very fun downhill from the campground, went on forever. Payback for coming in yesterday! Caught up with the two touristas from the camp ground. I thought they were just day trippers because of their light loads, but they actually rode in from Hailey. Nate and Teresa, from <st1:city st="on">Boise</st1:city>, were doing an over-nighter in preparation for Nate doing a <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Portland</st1:place></st1:city> to SF tour in September. He had no panniers because they hadn’t come in yet. We all chatted the whole way to Bellevue. I hipped him to Tour Tales, he hipped me to the bike path that runs all the way into and past Ketchum. Also learned that two other touristas went through the Monument yesterday on their way to <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Rhode Island</st1:place></st1:state>. Can’t believe I missed them! Did some shopping in Ketchum, the Beverly Hills of Idaho, and went on into the Sawtooth Rec. Area. Found a nice camp ground a few miles in. Will go over <st1:placename st="on">Galena</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Pass</st1:placetype> into <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Stanley</st1:place></st1:city> tomorrow to meet Miss Elizabeth, if she ever leaves home…</p>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-23921486829118965302007-08-19T18:45:00.000-07:002008-07-06T16:31:18.662-07:00Day 14 – Blackfoot to Craters of the Moon<p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Day 14 – Blackfoot to Craters of the Moon<br />82.6 miles, 6:28, 12.7 avg</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162842735/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1107/1162842735_34e340dc07_m.jpg" alt="lava_bike" height="236" width="240" /></a><br />A good day until the end. Got a pretty early start to beat some heat. Half the way to Arco it was actually cloudy and there was a thunderstorm. Big drops and some thunder near the Idaho National Laboratory.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162863017/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/1162863017_fb73e53fd7.jpg" alt="moon_sign" height="308" width="500" /></a><br />Middle of nowhere, ID<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162860301/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/1162860301_af94cf5817_m.jpg" alt="moon_flag" height="240" width="170" /></a><br />Close-up of my "shield"<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal">Arco was clear, but not too hot. Overall, it was a good desert crossing. Luckily for me, Arco was celebrating its Atomic Days, July 17, 1955, when they first turned on the nuke juice to power the city. There was a booth advertising free radiation testing for former employees of the reactor. Lots of food and good times to be had, the whole town was there. A classic car show, dunk tank, etc. For me, an Atomic Burger from Pickles. I also recreated the famous <a href="http://www.tour-tales.com/arco.html">Arco photo</a> from Tour ’97, not as exciting with no people in it, though.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1163655934/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1012/1163655934_7912b32db5.jpg" alt="arco" height="295" width="500" /></a><br />Arco photo 2007. Minus a tree.<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal">I left town with a hopefully semi-easy 18 miles to Craters. Yeah right. The first half was good, mostly down and very little wind. Then, as usual, I started going up and then the headwind kicked in. The climb up to the park was bigger than I had anticipated and I guess the Atomic Burger wasn’t enough food, because I quickly fell apart. A couple of mandatory rest stops and some fig newtons later, and I arrived at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Visitors</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place> where I learned it was 100°. Got some good info and a 7UP.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1163694968/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1339/1163694968_83a636f71f.jpg" alt="lava" height="375" width="500" /></a><br />My "backyard" at Craters camp<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><br />Campground is OK, right amongst the lava flows. I’ll check out the Ranger Program tonight. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wildlife today:</span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="">5 or 6 pronghorn</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="">Calling burrowing owl</li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><st1:place st="on">Clark</st1:place>’s Nutcracker</li></ul><a style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162816943/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1144/1162816943_ce2c396580.jpg" alt="craters" height="295" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Cinder cones on the way to Arco</span><br /><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162887807/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/1162887807_5bad76ed0d.jpg" alt="storm" height="375" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Storm's edge on way to Arco</span>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-66315966491261862162007-08-19T18:42:00.000-07:002008-07-06T16:31:39.358-07:00Day 13 – Friday! Lava to Blackfoot<p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Day 13 – Friday! July 13 - Lava to Blackfoot<br />64.9 miles, 4:39, 13.9 avg</p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Lazy morning, still left before most people got up. Good downhill to McCammon. Luckily found Old Hwy 91, so didn’t have to ride on 15. One of the best roads of the whole tour! Easy rollers, no wind, no traffic, cool volcanic cliffs. Ran into pack of road racing women who rode with me into town, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Pocatello</st1:place></st1:city>. Janet took me all the way downtown (I would’ve never found on my own), to the bike shop and pointed out places to eat. Dean at shop showed me route out of town, and we talked about riding in P town. Pizza was good lunch. Oh yeah, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Pocatello</st1:place></st1:city> has a cool old downtown, lots of old brick buildings. </p> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Mellow ride out and through Fort Hall Indian Res., only two dogs chased me. Ran into another cyclist who told me roads to take. Stopped at store in Fort Hall. People on the Res. seemed to be into what I was doing. Got into Blackfoot and checked out town a bit. Also some good old buildings. Staying at the Y Motel. I guess that is the question, “Why?” Could be a loud Friday night, some homeys hanging around. A fight broke out not even a half hour after I got here. Looks to be a hot ride through the desert tomorrow. Got to leave early.</p>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3910948351984716378.post-25268020725702237282007-07-15T02:41:00.000-07:002008-07-06T16:41:07.184-07:00To be continued... Day 12As of today, Matt is at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho. He decided to head to the Sawtooth mountains.<br /><br />I'll be leaving Tucson tomorrow morning and joining him there on Monday. Check back in next weekend for more trip stories and photos!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >Update from Matt!</span><br />Day 12 – Garden City to Lava </span><st1:place style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;" st="on"><st1:city st="on">Hot Springs</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">ID</st1:state></st1:place><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-weight: bold;">86 miles, 6:33, 13.1 avg</span> <p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>New state! Pretty good day of riding with a couple of tough spots. Tried to leave GC a little early keeping hopes alive that I could make it all the way to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Pocatello</st1:city></st1:place>. Early on I could tell it wasn’t going to happen. No downhills anywhere and wind seemed to start early. Cool farmland right after <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:state> border. With hazy/smoky skies it almost felt like a fall morning. Took a quick tour of the Paris Tabernacle at the urging of the nice people there. It was well worth the 10 minutes! The builders quarried and stored stones for 20 years before they started construction!<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1162870011/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1041/1162870011_510e67c987.jpg" alt="parisout" height="500" width="347" /></a><br />Paris Tabernacle<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1163722472/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1281/1163722472_927208b18f.jpg" alt="parisin" height="500" width="423" /></a><br />Fancy woodwork!<br /><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" class="MsoNormal">Quick stop in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Montpelier</st1:city></st1:place>. Had to nap in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Georgetown</st1:city></st1:place>. Got real painful before lunch in Soda Springs. Rejuvenated, I just happened to catch the eruption of the Geyser, the only “manmade” one in the world. It was a fairly easy ride west along the Cal/Ore Trail to base of last climb before Lava. Not too bad, and great descent right into the campground! Toured town a bit to check out the river scene. Lots of rafters and tubers! Have to go back cuz no phone here at the campground. There’s even Thai food!</p><p style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);" class="MsoNormal"><a style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elaw/1163737324/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1426/1163737324_5dd66c8096.jpg" alt="sodasprings" height="500" width="375" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204);">Looks real, doesn't it?</span><br /></p>Dyna Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18153444424327312668noreply@blogger.com0