Day 11, Caballo Lake to Las Cruces, 65 miles

We spent the night in Truth or Consequences which was actually named after the 1950's TV game show. Early in the morning Bill drove us the 15 miles back to the lake and we resumed where we left off on state route 187.

The morning was quiet with little traffic and little wind. We rode through fields of onions, groves of pecan trees, and fields being prepared to plant chili plants.

After thirty miles, we cycled into Hatch, the chili capital of the world. We bought more water and m&ms. Uncle Sam greeted Ruth.

Further down the road, we met two cyclists journeying to San Diego from St. Augustine. They left St. Augustine January 28 and have had to sit out 15 days because of cold temps and high winds. They warned us about the hill country of Texas and we did mention Emory Pass . They carried heavy panniers and we wondered how they will get over the pass with 10 to 12 percent grades.

As we approached Las Cruces, the winds picked up. We were riding mostly south with the winds coming from the west. Therefore we had strong crosswinds. We held on to our bikes tightly so that we did not fall over.

Today, Ruth focused on taking photos of adobe homes and we did not eat Subway sandwiches.

Tonight Paul and Peg Miller invited us over for dinner. Paul was the former minister of our church, Presbyterian Church of Wyoming.

Tomorrow the winds are suppose to be stronger and gusty but we are having a much anticipated rest day.

"Who has seen the Wind?

Neither I nor you:

But when the leaves hang trembling.

The wind is passing thro' " Christina Rossetti

Day 10, Riverside to Caballo Lake, 100 mile!

By the light of the full moon, Bill drove us back to Riverside so we could cycle the twenty-five miles back to Silver City. The temperature was thirty degrees.

Upon approaching Silver City, we crossed the Continental Divide. We also started to shed clothes as temperatures rose quickly.

When we reached our motel, we stopped for a second breakfast.

We followed Route 152 through the desert and we went past the Santa Rita open pit copper mine.

Then the route began the long climb to Emory Pass. Again our SAG team delivered Subway sandwiches.

After lunch we continued the long climb. We passed through Ponderosa Pine forests with a gurgling stream below us and patches of snow along the side of the road. The scarcity of cars made the ride very peaceful. However, our legs began to scream that they had had enough climbing. Don and Bill came down the pass and brought the good news that we only had one more mile to go. We pedaled faster and made it to the top - 8,228 feet. We were thrilled and the views were spectacular.

Next came the descent. For the first six miles it was curvy and we were very cautious. Then came long straight runs where we flew - whee!
We were only planning to ride 83 miles to Hillsboro but our loving husbands encouraged us to continue and Ruth realized that we could reach a 'century' (100 miles) by riding to the banks of the Rio Grande river. With the wind behind us ,we pedaled hard and arrived at Caballo Lake with tired legs but huge grins on our faces!

Tomorrow we pedal to Las Cruces followed by a highly anticipated rest day.

Mary Jo and Ruth

'It sounds crazy to me... but in a nice way.' - The desk clerk at our Silver City hotel

Day Nine, Safford, Az. to Riverside, New Mexico - 90 miles

We left Safford at daybreak and Ruth commented, "The desert is starting to lose its appeal." But within a few miles we were rewarded with miles and miles of yellow poppies blooming underneath rocky mountainsides. A storekeeper in Three Way told us that this year was especially spectacular because of the bountiful rains in the last month.

Today we climbed through two different passes. The first pass was doable with a climb of 1500 feet. The second pass was at 6,295 feet and we climbed nearly 2,500 feet. Luckily, there were few cars on route 180 - I guess motorists did not even want to tackle the zigzags.

Halfway up the mountain the best SAG team brought us lunch from Subway again. We sat in the shade and admired the beautiful vistas beneath us.

Ruth and Mary Jo continued the arduous climb. The poppies were replaced by cedar trees and Ponderosa pines. Finally, we crawled to the top and entered the state of New Mexico! We had a long descent through the pines and down into the Gila River valley. The land is used mostly for grazing.

After cycling nearly 44 more miles, we reached our next store at Buckhorn. The store was the only establishment in Buckhorn. The proprietor gave us a hearty welcome and recommended the chocolate chip ice cream cookies - nothing else could have tasted better. The storekeeper also told us that two weeks ago it had snowed. A young male cyclist arrived at her store at 7:30 pm covered with snow. He was able to spend the night at a local ranch.

We did not stay at a ranch but our hotel was still more than twenty-five miles away. Our husbands rescued us at Riverside and transported us to our motel in Silver City. Tomorrow we will go back and resume cycling where we left off. We were blessed today by temperatures in the low seventies and no wind! Your comments keep us going! Ruth and Mary Jo

"Life is like riding a bicycle - to keep your balance, you must keep moving." Albert Einstein

Day Eight, Globe,Az. to Safford, Az. 77 miles

The day began with a long downhill from the Dream Manor Inn . We left State Route 60 and continued southeast on State Route 70. It was hilly with fun rollers to glide down and up over the next hill. The desert is green and snow still remains on some of the mountains.Around ten in the morning our good fortune changed. The wind picked up and of course it was in our face. Our pace dramatically slowed to a crawl. Luckily our dedicated SAG team came to our rescue. They delivered water, oranges and fig newtons. They drove ahead to find lunch and came back with Subway sandwiches and cold lemonade. There was no shade so we sat on suitcases beside the car.
Well nourished we continued onward to Safford. Several miles from Pima, we began to see signs advertising Taylor Freeze - malts, banana splits, 32 flavors of ice cream etc. Our mouths were watering but then we discovered that the shop was not open on Sundays.
Passing newly planted fields of cotton and a copper mine, we finally made it to Safford.

Mary Jo and Ruth

"Maybe we should reconsider knitting and quilting." -Ruth

Day Seven: Tempe Az to Globe Az 80 miles

Departing at 6:30 AM, Ruth and I found our street, Apache Trail, empty. We quickly covered the 26 miles from Tempe to Apache Junction. While passing through Mesa, this Gothic couple wished us 'Good Morning'.

After Apache Junction, the map directed us to get on the busy four lane state route 60. We frantically checked our phone maps to find another route - no other routes were available.

We carefully entered the highway and rode to the right of the rumble strip. Gradually the traffic became less. Some people stopped at an art fair, others at a renaissance festival and others turned off to hike in the desert. We enjoyed reconnecting with the desert flowers again.

We slowly climbed to Superior where we ate lunch. Just beyond Superior was Queen Creek tunnel which we had been dreading for months. We imagined a dark, narrow tunnel but fortunately it was well lit with two traffic lanes going east. With the car lights flashing, Bill and Don followed us through the tunnel.

We only had 24 miles to go but now had the wind in our faces as we continued to climb. The view of the dramatic rock formations kept us pedaling.

Finally we had a long descent but with a strong head wind. We climbed into Globe and looked for our Bed and Breakfast for the night which was perched on yet another hill. I (Mary Jo) was not thinking kind thoughts about Ruth who had made the reservations, as I slowly cycled up to the hilltop B&B. However, it was magnificent with a 360 degree view of the desert and totally worth the climb.

Thank you for all your words of encouragement. With today's ride, we have cycled over 500 miles and have completed 1/6th of the ride.

When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine with God's help - Quote by Robert Half

Day Six: Surprise Az. to Tempe Az 44 miles

Today was a nice change of pace as we rode through Phoenix. We rode along a 12 mile bike path and through pleasant neighborhoods filled with the scent of orange blossoms.

It was interesting to see many homes with arid landscaping using native plants.

While we were pedaling away, the guys were enjoying watching their second spring training baseball game.

There was also a chance encounter with another adventurer who is walking across America to promote healthy life styles. His sign reads 'Go walk 20 minutes today' Check out his blog at www.enjoythewalk.org

We may be slow but we are inefficient! - Quote from our waitress at lunch.

Day 5: Salome to Surprise, Az. 88 miles

LONG DAY, MORE TOMORROW!!

Day 4: Palo Verde to Salome, Arizona 83 miles

Today we completed our first state as we crossed the Colorado River from California into Arizona.
Because of the spring rains, the desert is in full bloom with poppies and cacti blooms.
This area is so desolate that the only paved road is an interstate highway, I-10, and so we rode along the wide shoulder dodging pieces of old tires for 25 miles.
We stopped at Quartzsite for lunch which consisted of mostly desserts.
Today's ride ended with a nice downhill run into Salome, Arizona. Dinner was at the local ice cream and burrito shop. Of course we ended the day with another dessert.

I gave up sweets and in a month I lost 10 pounds.... and my will to live! - Quote from Quartzsite Bakery and Pastry Parlor.

Day 3, Brawley to Palo Verde, 70 miles

The morning began with overcast skies and cool and crisp temperatures-perfect cycling weather. We shared route 78 with other cyclists heading east to the Atlantic Ocean-two firemen from New York City, two men from Michigan, and the Wandering Wheels group from Indiana.

The landscape changed from irrigated fields to The Algodones Dunes. The only settlement in 70 miles was one general store in Glamis.

Don and Bill delivered Subway sandwiches to us and we ate alongside the road with many cacti near. Nala, Ruth and Bill's dog, became curious and she had many cacti spines on her paws and legs. We spent the next forty minutes removing the barb needles. It was very painful but with Ruth's words Nala remained calm.

We cycled the rest of the afternoon into a headwind to Palo Verde. In town there is a motel and bar. Ruth and Mary Jo

Day Two; Pine Valley to Brawley 97 miles

This morning we put on many layers to combat the 38 F. low temperature in the morning. We went from over 4000 feet in elevation to twenty-five feet below sea level. Upon arriving in Brawley the temperature was 84 degrees.

Today's ride included some great long down hill runs.

The increasing heat inspired Ruth to seek a refreshing beverage.

It was fascinating to see the fence stretching across the border with Mexico.

We have one of the best looking SAG (Support and Gear) teams in the country.

Among the beautiful scenery we found a lovely spot for lunch.

Another perfect end to a long day with dessert at McDonald's.

On the road again......... Going places that I have never been...... Seeing things that I may never see again! - Willie Nelson