Originally Posted February 28, 2007 Alpine - 29.51 milesHow do I explain the day's events? We're staying in an under-construction adobe because of Dr. Bronners. At the Alpine Library I overheard that the Agave Natural Foods was having their grand opening even though it had been in business for three years. I inquired, because I needed a refil on my soap.
"What kind?" she asked. "Dr. Bronners." "Peppermint?" "Yes actually. I use it to brush my teeth and wash my hair." "Well I have a bunch do you want some?" "If it's no trouble." She went off and returned 45 minutes later with her quarter full gallon jug. She filled up my bottle and somehow she offered to let us stay at the adobe. No showers, but it has a toilet and a wood floor. She, Tanya, was at the library with her brother, Dominique, and after we had settled our business on the internet, he showed us the way to the adobe.We followed him and his wee daughter, Lila, carrying a stuffed cheetah she nearly forgot in the library, in their jeep. Lila was from his second marriage. Later we all went to Blues (minus the children). It was while I was playing pool with Dominique that I asked him why he went through wives like most people go through cars. Good conversation followed and I kept losing even though Dom wasn't much more skilled than I. The happy birthday song played and we decided it was time to head to bed. We've been feeling a little sleep deprived. Tanya pointed us in the direction of home. This meant climbing down under the train tressle. A locomotive was stopped on the tracks and would be for hours as border control checked its contents. 10.0 ave - 42.2 max - 1118.9 odo - 2:57:00 time 
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 It was the middle of nowhere West Texas and we hitched a ride skipping 20 miles and at least 1000 feet elevation gain. Do I feel less like I rode my bicycle across the country? No. Should I? Maybe. Do I care? Nope. Originally Posted February 27, 2007
Fort Davis- Davis Mountains SP - 32.59 miles
Today happened so fast and I felt tired the whole time. Morning came too early in the dilapidated shed after a fitful night of sleep. Something ran across Jon's sleeping bag. We left Kent after inquiring about its lack of inhabitants. In the process I met the one resident. I thought his house was abandoned. Then we stared towards the observatory. Against the wind with 2000+ feet to climb, we moved at about 6 mph. We came across a man from Dallas hunting for some sort of ship temporary separated from his partner. Since El Paso, he probably was the first really friendly person we chatted with. Everyone seems hesitant. A few hours after deciding we would like to hitch a ride, someone actually came along that could pick us up. Johnny has three kids and was heading to the observatory to pick up payment for some cafeteria machinery. I felt like I was on the top of the world and we got there so quickly. We cheated 20 miles. I slowly became disillusioned with the "star party " and we decided to descend to camp. In the restaurant I told Jon to stop telling me to get a spare tire. In exchange he can leave me in the dust if one of my new tires blows. 8.0 ave - 37.2 max - 1089.4 odo - 4:01:57 time - 20 mile cheat  I took a course in college that included a survival overnight. We layered up our clothes and built shelters to sleep in. Southeast Alaska was cold, wet, and on the edge of snow much like it is right now in Western Washington. Despite the thick layer of soft hemlock boughs beneath us, we were still cold and struggled to sleep. I remember walking up and down the forest service road to keep warm shrouded in a plastic bag. Then we’d be too tired so we’d lay down and sleep. Then we’d get cold and start walking again. We went on like that for a while. Our instructor ended the exercise in the middle of the night and took us back to school. They weren’t trying to torture us and we’d had an effective enough learning experience. On my bike tour there were several nights like the one in Kent where the accommodations were less than savory. There were times we didn’t get good sleep. Certainly there have been times as a parent that sleep has evaded me. But these have just been moments, not a way of life. Nights like tonight I think of the people in our backyard that are pacing the path half asleep half awake trying to stay warm. The lack of sleep will make it hard to think clearly in the morning. Anyone would struggle to put their best foot forward. The exercise in the woods was meant to teach us to survive in the wilderness, but perhaps it taught me something else as well. Originally Posted February 26, 2007
Kent - 39.64 miles
Jon is already trying to sleep. Yesterday at this time we were just getting to Van Horn. We left at about noon after stopping at the hardware store. Jon did something and I got pipe insulation for my handlebars. They are quite cushy now. The man who I would guess owned the shop had an impaired walk and a drop clung to the tip of his nose. I bet he has a story. We stopped at a truck stop restaurant for lunch. Grilled cheese and blackberry cobbler a la mode... The waitress had a cast on her arm and she was out of lemonade. I picked up some more postcards in Kent, but there isn't anything here. Less than 20 years ago the last folks left. There's a squatter in the shell of a school. The post office is padlocked. There are turds all over the floor of the house we're at. I preferred the lean-to. The glass is minimal and effectively blocks the wind. 12.4 ave - 36.2 max - 1056.8 odo - 3:11:02 time  The paint set on my desk includes 28 different paints. I've found that I like my paintings more when I use a limited palette of just 3 or 4. The colors coordinate with each other better and I'm not overwhelmed with color choices. When I have just 4 paints, I have to rely heavily on mixing. Mixing actually gets me way more then 28 different colors. So I've decided to practice with just these 4 paints from Daniel Smith for a while. I'll fill up some full pans to put in my urban sketching kit and I'll even have the chance to pre-mix a couple of colors in the pan. I'm thinking I'll try pre-mixing a green and a grey. That should save me some time when I am out and about. French Ultramarine |
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Originally Posted February 25, 2007
Van Horn - 74.88 miles
Highlights of the day include a grunting javelina and a checkout woman at a service station who was continuously on the phone and called me love. To be fair she also called Jon love. I thought I was special. The adjustable showerhead was also special. A good shower is not overrated. The continental breakfast tomorrow will require us to rise at 8:30 (now central time). We only intend to go 30 or 40 something miles tomorrow. It will mellow out our average after a 60 and 75 mile days. The Oscars are on and Jon is talking to the commercials. Sometimes I try to ban him from carrying on a conversation, but doesn't work. Also of note: I now have an extremely defined tan line mid-thigh and the 500 ft descent in the dark to Van Horn was brilliant.
11.3 ave - 28.1 max - 1017.1 odo - 6:34:51 time
11.3 ave - 28.1 max - 1017.1 odo - 6:34:51 time
Originally Posted February 24, 2007
Fort Hancock - 59.23 miles
West rode us out of town. I've really enjoyed getting to know the cycling community through warmshowers and the eyes of the touring cyclists we meet. There is something comforting about being part of an obscure subculture.
I have a splinter and I don't think there is anything poky in my vicinity to dig it out. Maybe I got it when I was playing with the pecan at the campground. There were peacocks at Hideaway Lakes. Jon didn't seem impressed, but the other day he stopped for a few minutes to examine roadkill because he'd never seen a skunk before. We rock-paper-scissored to determine if we stayed or moved on. Now I'm in a small restaurant in Fort Hancock. Two members of homeland security just came in to pick up their orders. Now they can eat quesadillas while patrolling our borders. The news rattles on behind me and a man who spent a year in Quartzsite sits under a US flag. He's chatting with a mustached man from the sheriff's department. I'm contemplating pie. Coffee had become my comfort food. Just plain old coffee with sugar and cream in a pitcher. Nothing ruins my coffee like little plastic packets. I brought my A Peoples History of the United States since Jon is on the phone freezing in the parking lot. I figured I should work on reading it or leave it behind.
942.2 ODO - 4:55:17 time - 12 ave - 23.2 max
I have a splinter and I don't think there is anything poky in my vicinity to dig it out. Maybe I got it when I was playing with the pecan at the campground. There were peacocks at Hideaway Lakes. Jon didn't seem impressed, but the other day he stopped for a few minutes to examine roadkill because he'd never seen a skunk before. We rock-paper-scissored to determine if we stayed or moved on. Now I'm in a small restaurant in Fort Hancock. Two members of homeland security just came in to pick up their orders. Now they can eat quesadillas while patrolling our borders. The news rattles on behind me and a man who spent a year in Quartzsite sits under a US flag. He's chatting with a mustached man from the sheriff's department. I'm contemplating pie. Coffee had become my comfort food. Just plain old coffee with sugar and cream in a pitcher. Nothing ruins my coffee like little plastic packets. I brought my A Peoples History of the United States since Jon is on the phone freezing in the parking lot. I figured I should work on reading it or leave it behind.
942.2 ODO - 4:55:17 time - 12 ave - 23.2 max
This was our second night in Texas. I spent 34 nights getting across the state. That was over a third of the trip! I'm looking forward to revisiting Texas blog posts because the landscape offers so much variety (there are even exotic game). To sum up: it is dry, then it is hilly, and finally it is moist. Jon and I will be parting ways soon and I will visit a lot more churches. This is nothing in comparison to Louisiana. I spent 20 nights there and it should have only taken 7 or 8.
Originally Posted February 23, 2007
El Paso: a day of dust- 0 miles
I woke up to Jon asking me how I felt about taking a rest day. I felt like sleeping. I let Jon go ask if we might not be imposing if we stayed. It was cleared with the household community and we pulled out the maps. Texas will take us a while, but first I needed to change my tires. I brought my bike out to the porch where Daniel was getting his haircut. I was able to entertain Emma and Daniel for a moment by allowing them to release the air pressure, but soon they were on to other things. I moved about as quickly as I like to when doing bike maintenance and about four hours later I was done. In all fairness I was given tubes with broken valves. This meant I actually changed two tires and three tubes. Somewhere in there Freddy showed up from two blocks down asking for help with a recurring flat. Mostly Jon fixed him up, but I lubed his chain and told him that a clean bike is a happy bike. We walked back to Crazy Cat's to return the tubes and get a chain. Mine had stretched .75%. The whole while we had our eyes shut except for the moments we blinked. It felt like the dust was being drilled into my skin when it gusted. I wouldn't try to ride in it. My bandanna that was given to me in my mohawk days blew off...never to be seen again. We proceeded to a coffee shop where I tickled a small boy that kept flicking me. Then he kept wanting to be tickled. His father, whom I had thought was his grandfather, scolded the boy for playing with me. The kid was there for about an hour without entertainment, conversation, or attention while his father read the paper and drank coffee. What would you expect him to do? I went back to the house even though I wanted to go to a different cafe that was having an open folk sing-a-long five miles away. An excellent dinner of homemade cornbread and beans shortly followed. I was once again excited by the presence of people under the age of 30 which here take the shape of Jesuit Volunteers. They took off for the symphony with children's tickets in hand and Jon is on the phone under his bed. I'm sure it's not the only outlet in the house.
Thanks to google image search (Mary Statue Mesilla) I was able figure out that this is the Virgin Mary Statue at Old Mesilla Church. Ooh how the internet has evolved in the last 15 years! As I was painting this using reference photos, it felt very familiar. It felt like I'd painted it before. Back in January we visited Manchester State Park and I did this tiny sketch of the torpedo bunker. Going a back to last year in March I did another more detailed sketch (below) of the brick work around the windows. Same exact style! Old Mesilla Church (above) was built 1906-1908. The Torpedo Warehouse at Manchester State Park was built in 1901. It isn't surprising to see brick buildings built around the same time share a similar style... but it does feel weird for a church to have so much in common with a torpedo bunker.
Originally Posted February 22, 2007
El Paso - 44.91 miles
The winter sun, stunted by the clouds, peered through the tips of the bare pecan trees. Pen and paper are hardly handy when pedaling down the road. These were the words I kept repeating to myself in an effort to drive them in to my memory shortly after leaving Mesilla. On the way out we met a group of cycling retirees that called us sturdy. Shortly thereafter, we met the Rio Grande again; this time we saw it in the daylight. After a half hour stop to take pictures and listen to the daily rant from Jon regarding water, we left the pathetic excuse for a river behind. Amidst the pecan groves/orchards (the jury is still out), we came upon our first loaded tourer on the trip. His name is Peter (note the link to the right) and he started in Florida about a month ago. We all chatted for about 45 minutes. By we I mean Peter and Jon, while I interjected occasionally and leaned on my bike. I was waiting patiently to get to a bike shop in El Paso where I could aquire fresh tires. Mine were tired. They were so tired that within an hour we pulled into the grocery in La Mesa and I had a flat in the front. This, being the fourth in the last week, was nothing more than annoying. After I turned my bike upside-down, two gentlemen of the grandfatherly persuasion showed up on bikes and treated us to cold Sobe. The picked the orange-carrot for me. I told Jon to take the "Power" because even with a flat I was easily keeping the lead. The one of the two I was chatting with said he would offer to change the tube, but I would probably be offended. Without further mishap or delay, we climbed into El Paso and found Crazy Cat Cyclery. After much searching, they suited me up with the touring tires off of a new bike for sale and filled the tubes with slime (free of charge). I called the warmshower contact, West (see link to right),informing Jon that he shouldn't make a joke about East, North, or South in relation to siblings. It was after dark and West drove behind us giving cover all the way to the house. It is the house of a non-profit that provide border awareness education for groups. Good home cooked food, small children doing chocolate science experiments, good fair trade coffee for the first time on the trip, and a picture upload punctuated the evening. I still need to change my tires, but somehow I've worked "punctuated" into yet another post.
802.3 odo - 4:39:12 time - 9.6 ave - 30.3 max
802.3 odo - 4:39:12 time - 9.6 ave - 30.3 max
We took a trip to the Walmart in Mesilla. This was Jon's first Walmart visit and he was enamored with the toy section. Now I have children to drag away from the toy section... so I try not to even let them see it.
Originally Posted February 21, 2007
Mesilla - 60.51 miles
Aside from the time spent changing a flat while watching a tractor dispense a load of fertilizer, we did one thing. We watched the organ mountains move slowly closer. As usual, we had a late start. We didn't rise until 9. At 9:45 the Indian man who ran the hotel came in and asked if we were staying a second night. We were about ready to leave anyway. Jon made his first ever purchase from Walmart. He picked up some bananas. Last night we went in just so Jon could have a look. It felt like I had to drag him away from the toy section. He seemed impressed. I asked him if he'd seen the High Cost of Low Price. Down the street was a terminally closed local grocery store. Since we didn't leave Deming til at least 11:30, I had wire in my tire, the wind wasn't quite as much in our favor, and the shoulder was punctuated with cracks, Las Cruces didn't appear til after dark. Even though I couldn't repeat any of the street names that were given to me, it was easy enough to find Matt and Josie's place in historic Mesilla. We went out to a touristy mexican place that had a tucan and a large assortment of other parrot-like birds. The food was good and the glass of wine I'd had on an empty stomach back at the house meant that I was happy just looking at the wall decorations. I'm sure Jon said something entertaining, but if it was important he'll have to repeat it in the morning.
11.6 ave - 29 max - 837.4 odo - 5:12:35 time
11.6 ave - 29 max - 837.4 odo - 5:12:35 time
The Adventure Cycling Association designs their maps to send you on a safe and scenic route. You can see in the first picture the approximate route of the ACA maps. We looked at it and thought it looked mountainous and cold. We opted for a more direct and flat southern route that shaved off about 100 miles and likely several days (the second picture). It probably cut out a bunch of scenery too. However, 15 mph average fully loaded with gear is pretty awesome too! If memory serves, this is the first time I adjusted my route substantially.
Oh and when I was reading back at this post from 15 years ago it made me want Pizza Hut. Usually we do Dominos, but Pizza Hut was also enjoyable. The little mini Cinnabons were a hit!
Oh and when I was reading back at this post from 15 years ago it made me want Pizza Hut. Usually we do Dominos, but Pizza Hut was also enjoyable. The little mini Cinnabons were a hit!
Originally Posted February 21, 2007
Deming - 63.22 miles
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Averaging fifteen miles per hour, the fact that we didn't leave until noon didn't pose a problem. We loaded up on pecan cinnamon rolls and welcomed the press on our backs. Stopping was the only time the wind chilled us. Once we started moving, the wind disappeared. Logically it makes sense but it was a weird sensation. We made the 60 miles by 4:30. We stopped in at the library. I blogged while Jon busied himself outside. I tapped him out and called home for the weather report. The 29 degrees overnight didn't sound exciting so we investigated the Economy Inn. Ironically, the heat didn't work. Jon compromised and we went to Pizza Slut. We ordered a large deep dish supreme. He punctuated his sentences with his straw hitting the ice in his root beer. He thought it would be a ginger brew. Ginger is a root. Root beer always gives him a chuckle because root means something different in Australia. "Isn't all beer root beer?"
776 ODO - 4:12:27 TIME - 15 ave - 25.4 max |
 | The clouds on the way to Lordsburg were some happy clouds. I love me some good clouds. So it was high time that I have some fun painting them. First I put down some water on the paper where I wanted there to be blue sky (wet on wet) and put down some fountain pen ink with a brush. Then I added the gray undersides of the clouds and the land with watercolors. While it was still a bit wet, I added in some black lines with a fountain pen. |
Originally Posted February 19, 2007
Lordsburg - 58.02 miles
Two months ago I left Sitka and now I'm sitting in Kranberry's watching the cream slowly mix into my coffee. We turned southeast today to Lordsburg to avoid the storm coming into New Mexico. I feel like a snow bird. We're even saying in a a KOA Kabin. What is with their "K" obsession and planting fake flowers? But we're staying out of the wind and its frightening bursts. The wind was terminally against us until Jon cursed "damn you wind." I scolded him for taunting the wind, but it changed in our favor. From then on we moved at a smashing pace with the wind at our backs. I could go 20 mph by barely pedaling on a slight decline. Jon, with his 26" wheels, had to continuously pedal to keep that speed.
30.8 max - 9.7 avg - 711.8 ODO - 5:58:02 time
30.8 max - 9.7 avg - 711.8 ODO - 5:58:02 time
 | I was just coming off completing a degree in Outdoor Leadership when I took this trip. Something that was seriously drilled into our heads was that cotton kills. In Southeast Alaska, where I studied, it rains and rains and rains. Cotton provides zero insulation when wet. Even without precipitation, perspiration can cause problems that lead to hypothermia. For this bike trip, I primarily wore synthetics designed for the outdoors. They wicked moisture, kept me warm, and were moderately stylish. If I were to do this trip again, I would go wool. Wool has gotten popular lately and it just doesn't hold on to a body's stink like synthetics do. It also still insulates pretty well when wet. Cotton also does a good job with the smells, but I still like to be alive. |
Originally Posted February 18, 2007
Three Way - 34.79 miles
After a leisurely rise in the Econo-lodge, we set off into the wind. 5 miles later we noticed the cotton field. Intrigued, we stopped for pictures. Apparently I also stopped to collect thorns in my tires. The rear was immediately flat and we paused to change the tube and repair the old one for the future. A couple hours later, after climbing gradually, I noticed my front tire was a bit squidgy. It was down quite a bit. However, through experimentation, I determined it was only losing 5 psi every half hour. This meant I could put off the change until the morning. Consulting the maps, we were surprised that the steepest part of the climb was over. I love that kind of surprise. The descent was wonderful. Few cars, great shoulders, and an ending including a cut out and a bridge... Fantastic! I asked Jon recently if he thought that the climbs were worth the descents. He gave me some sort of non-answer like "some". After fueling up on cookie-dough ice cream, chicken sandwich, and Corona, I'm ready for bed.
4:04:13 time - 8.5 avg - 38.4 max - 653.7 ODO
4:04:13 time - 8.5 avg - 38.4 max - 653.7 ODO
We just got back from a mini vacation in Leavenworth, WA surrounded by snowy mountains. It is almost starting to feel like spring at home and I need to start planning the garden, but Leavenworth is just not there yet. It may be chilly, but the sunny and dry conditions still allowed for sketching. Let's face it, a vacation isn't a vacation these days without sketching. Just like on a bike trip, sketching forces you to slow down and see the rich details of a new place.
Originally Posted February 17, 2007
Safford - 10.67 miles
Today was a day of rest. We mosyed out of the RV park and down the road to Safford. The two towns blurred into each other. We searched for a cafe. We found one at Victory Fellowship. In this old movie theater were an empty cafe, Christian bookstore, church, and movie showings. The service was slower than cold molasses. We came back at 4:30 or the $2.50/person showing of Night at the Museum. Jon hadn't seen it. He seemed to enjoy the Jurassic Park parody. After enjoying chicken salad sandwiches and phone calls, I'm heading off to bed. The church's pamphlet quotes Jeremiah 32:27:
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing to hard for me?"
But apparently spelling is still beyond their reach.
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing to hard for me?"
But apparently spelling is still beyond their reach.
This farm was hard to look away from in the evening light. Cotton farms are pretty common in this area.
Originally Posted February 16, 2007
Thatcher - 75.21 miles
Once again we're nestled amongt RV's. THatcher is a college town this Friday night. Easter Arizona College...Not a bad spot in the middle of relative nowhere. THis was our longest day and it didn't really get going untill 11. Jon finally shipped off a couple pounds worth of stuff. He came to show me while I was typing up my blog. It was about time for him to get rid of his water filter. After I scraped something out of my brake pads and we posed for a picture, we set off. We began by pushing our bikes up a brief hill. There is something defeating about starting with pushing. We rolled into the Apache reservation and stopped at Bashas' for a taste of their deli. I participated in the pizza, potato salad, and pink frosted heart-shaped cookies. After a couple hours, the hills ended and my average increased. Darkness fell and we hit Pima. There was nothing in Pima. We rode on. Finally the RV park appeard around 8pm and I am showered and about to turn in.
11.8 average - 608 ODO - 34.9 max - 6:20:43 time
11.8 average - 608 ODO - 34.9 max - 6:20:43 time
It is amazing how different it is in Globe only an hour and a half's drive out of the center of Phoenix. Rural areas make for more enjoyable rides, but sometimes you do end up eating frozen burritos and canned peaches.
Originally Posted February 15, 2007
Globe - 26.87 miles
After continually putting off a trip to the bathroom for four hours, I made my way out of the frosty tent. My shorts that I'd rinsed in the shower were stiffened in the shape of the picnic bench. We waited for our tents to dry and for Jon to sense the morning's "disturbance in the force" and then rolled out around ten. Linda wouldn't let us pay for our campsite. We're supposed to save it for next time. The DQ was closed on the east end of town and probably had been for quite some time. No shake today. The frozen breakfast burritos were lacking. Superior really is nestled in a beautiful section of Arizona surrounded by stacked (pancakelike) rock formations. However, it is virtually a ghost town now only used as an old west movie set. "From mining to motion pictures" and "Where history lives" adorn posted signs for the passers by. Then we had our climb up to 4600 ft through windy roads and a tunnel spread over a shoulder less 11 miles. Then tunnel was just frightening. The noise from the semis didn't leave an empty space in your head. Halfway through the climb we stopped to eat at a turnoff for a campground. Some New Mexicans in a Jeep had the same idea and treated us to a can of Miller-lite. Then the shoulders improved and we eventually hit the top. We rolled down through the chilled air and stopped at Taco Bell. Jon seemed disappointed I hadn't warned him about it. I think they have Taco Bell in Australia. I used the phonebook to find the way to the warm showers and we rode/walked our bikes through hilly Globe to the excellent hospitality at the Hansen house. After dinner, Larry showed us the video of the family trip 9 years ago by bike from Globe to Canada. Susan seemed somewhat bewildered that I, especially as a woman, would want to do this trip alone.
34.2 max - 7.2 avg
34.2 max - 7.2 avg
Here I painted a photograph of a man photographing a cactus.
Originally Posted February 14, 2007
Superior - 46.18 miles
Pink pancakes and corresponding milk commemorated the national holiday as the family of nine bustled about their morning routine. I lazily laid on the couch watching one of the young boys deflate Jon's air mattress. I slowly moved about and joined the groomed bunch at the table. One asked for a pancake with writing, but I don't think it was ever received. One after the next, the children made it off to school and mom and the 2 month old went for a haircut. Dad left, kissing each child one by one. In the peace of quiet suburbia, we rolled our bikes out of the we're-in-the-process-of-moving garage. Two and a half miles later, we were at a Starbucks. Jon is quite keen on them and I hadn't had any coffee. An hour later after much discussion with a pair from some sort of house garaunteeing business, we moved on. They drove a big truck and were quite facinated with Jon's stories. Most people are. At least an hour later we were on the 60 and moving away from Phoenix. We went through a bit of a pass with nonexistent shoulders and dropped down into Superior. You'd think it would be at a peak. Pulling up into the RV park on the west side of town instead of the east as indicated, Linda offered us her car. For an intriguing change of pace, we setup our tents, locked the manacles, and drove to the store. We fueled up for the next day and I looked forward to the canned peaches. I ate; Jon showered. It blew and then rained and blew. I borrowed Linda's cell phone. On returing it she invited me in for cookies and tea. How could I resist when it was cold outside? Moments later, we decided we should invite Jon in. Huddled, eating his canned peaches, he eagerly accepted my passed on invitation. As usual, Jon told his stories, some of which are good everytime and I will eventually know by heart. When I finally sneaked off to take my shower, Linda confided that she really didn't get to hear much about me.
I don't send out Christmas cards because I'm not in the mood in December. But in January I have a festive string of family photos and glossy cards in my hall and I feel inspired. This year I sent out a Valentine's Day Update. I settled on a booklet format and started reflecting on our last year and a half. Working around the theme Write With Love made it easier to outline each page/topic.
The other bonus about waiting until February is already having updated return addresses from all those cards and letters. I do mail out to a ton of people that never mail me anything. Sometimes I hear back and it is rewarding to reconnect with friends and family. Sometimes I never hear back. I hope that the news from our lives brings some joy to yours.
The other bonus about waiting until February is already having updated return addresses from all those cards and letters. I do mail out to a ton of people that never mail me anything. Sometimes I hear back and it is rewarding to reconnect with friends and family. Sometimes I never hear back. I hope that the news from our lives brings some joy to yours.
Originally Posted February 13, 2007
Mesa - 49.69 miles
Phoenix puts me in a foul mood. When riding through this city, communication is more important when dodging traffic, but it is extremely difficult. We stopped for subs and Jon checked the grass for needles. I rode from Glendale to 8700 University. Grandpa's spot on the golf course was right where its been for the last 20 years. Sharon, feeling better, greeted me with lemonade. After dinner, I hugged goodbye and rode the half hour backwards in the dark to the warm showers in Mesa. They weren't expecting me to show up and Jon was busy competing with the 14 year old unit of the household. They both take starwars trivia to another level. Currently I'm lying on the couch, my bed for the night, listening to Jon and Layne in a regular rant. The hot topic of the moment is education. There is something comforting about the consistency of the rants. They Mormon storyteller who works for the Interdisciplinary Program at ASU is eating it up. The story about parent teacher conferences where Jon tells the parents that their child should drop out and start life and a trade...degrees in carpet laying.
11.1 avg - 4:26:24 time
11.1 avg - 4:26:24 time
In my writing 15 years ago I mentioned PIPs (Previously Important People). I don't think I came up with the term, but I really can't recall. Giving this some serious reflection I realize that there aren't just PIPs. I'm also considering other titles we give ourselves:
PAP Previously Adventurous Person
PEP Previously Energetic Person
PCP Previously Carefree Person
PHP Previously Happy Person
I know it is easy to get hung up on the past and think that the best is behind us. It is also easy to think that the best is yet to come. I recently watched the movie Hector and the Search for Happiness and it reminded me that happiness is in the pursuit.
As long as I'm not a PLP (Previously Living Person), I'd like to embrace what I am:
CCP Currently Creative Person
COP Currently Organized Person
I'm probably also a CTP Currently Tired Person otherwise I would be able to come up with better acronyms.
PAP Previously Adventurous Person
PEP Previously Energetic Person
PCP Previously Carefree Person
PHP Previously Happy Person
I know it is easy to get hung up on the past and think that the best is behind us. It is also easy to think that the best is yet to come. I recently watched the movie Hector and the Search for Happiness and it reminded me that happiness is in the pursuit.
As long as I'm not a PLP (Previously Living Person), I'd like to embrace what I am:
CCP Currently Creative Person
COP Currently Organized Person
I'm probably also a CTP Currently Tired Person otherwise I would be able to come up with better acronyms.
Originally Posted February 12, 2007
Glendale - 25.25 miles
Surprise deserves some serious reflection. It has PIP's (Previously Important People), running trash men, themed brunches, and beading groups. No on really gets buried here. Myrna and Larry have a plot in North Dakota.
We're staying at our second warm showers of the trip. Susan and Greg are wonderful and they've left us to go about our business. As we rode through Surprise and Glendale, Jon asked me if my speedo was working. I was confused for a moment until I realized he was refering to my cycle computer. My Vetta wasn't calibrated correctly or I'm not really sure. It wasn't giving me reliable information. So I returned it to REI. As always, they took it back only asking what was wrong. I picked up a wireless cateye. It is a bit more user friendly and it works. I tried to explain to him the dangers of calling it a speedo in the states, but there was too much traffic. I've eaten the ham sandwitches I'd made earlier in the day with the supplies Myrna provided. They were quite wonderful. That was one of the many things I'd done before our 3pm departure. Jon was having technological difficulties and it appeared he was about to have a nervous breakdown. I also took a nap, ate leftovers, ate two ham sandwitches, chatted with Myrna, watched Larry get ready for his softball game and watched him return victorious. All in all it was relaxing day.
Avg. 11.4 - Max 18.6 - Time 2:12:17
We're staying at our second warm showers of the trip. Susan and Greg are wonderful and they've left us to go about our business. As we rode through Surprise and Glendale, Jon asked me if my speedo was working. I was confused for a moment until I realized he was refering to my cycle computer. My Vetta wasn't calibrated correctly or I'm not really sure. It wasn't giving me reliable information. So I returned it to REI. As always, they took it back only asking what was wrong. I picked up a wireless cateye. It is a bit more user friendly and it works. I tried to explain to him the dangers of calling it a speedo in the states, but there was too much traffic. I've eaten the ham sandwitches I'd made earlier in the day with the supplies Myrna provided. They were quite wonderful. That was one of the many things I'd done before our 3pm departure. Jon was having technological difficulties and it appeared he was about to have a nervous breakdown. I also took a nap, ate leftovers, ate two ham sandwitches, chatted with Myrna, watched Larry get ready for his softball game and watched him return victorious. All in all it was relaxing day.
Avg. 11.4 - Max 18.6 - Time 2:12:17
I prefer decorations to parties. One involves fun crafting. The other involves people. These are two of my favorite ways to decorate for holidays. I made cute little egg tic-tac-toe for a birthday party and I'm just reusing the grape vine, twine, and hot glue grid again. Hearts are a pretty easy shape. The eggs were easier to cut out though. The hearts are all painted with fountain pen ink that are very richly saturated with pretty pigments. I used Bristol paper for the heart garland too. The hearts are hot glued to the string and then I needed to add a little extra to the bottoms of the hearts to keep them from flipping up. All in all, pretty easy and they will pack up small. I'm thinking a string of clovers for St. Patrick's Day?
Originally Posted February 11, 2007
Surprise: A day of rest - 0 miles
Once again Sunday is our day of rest. The Hinkel's home is a warm home full of good chats and wonderful hospitality. It is also part of Sun City Grand. The grass is gravel and it never needs to be mowed. The plants don't really seem like plants and they all died when it got cold. It actually rained today. I thought it was exciting. Everyone else seemed somewhat afraid. Myrna and Larry took us to the neighborhood Valentine's brunch. The mimosa fountain seemed to have a leak, but it wasn't anything that a cookie sheet couldn't fix. There was also a chocolate fountain, but it never seemed to flow. Great conversations. Everyone seemed to really be enamored with the Alaskan and the Australian biking across the country. Then Larry drove us all to REI. Over the last week Jon and I have been telling each other what we need to remember to get. When we actually made it there it took a moment or two for it all to come back. The most exciting for me were some gel padded gloves and extra handlebar tape. Hopefully, I can still fight the numbness in my hands. On the way back through the maze of houses that look all the same, we glanced at green patches of grass and streets named for desert plants. Century Plant looks a bit like Agave. I'm probably spelling this wrong. Lori and her husband Ken came from Las Vegas for dinner. These cousins don't actually live in Las Vegas. They live in Anthem, but were out there for a show. More good conversation and pork spare ribs led me to remember that I needed to look into accomodations for the next few days. After a few calls, we have warmshowers for the next two nights. I chatted with Grandpa and I plan to stop by on Tuesday. His lady friend is sick, so he wouldn't recommend that we stay there. The warmshowers isn't too far away from him. Finally the project of uploading photos is done and I can relax or put the tape on my handlebars. I think the grammy's or something are on.
Originally Posted February 10, 2007
Surprise - 60 miles
I should write a bit before I fade completely. I haven't done the addition yet, but we did at least 50 miles. I was doing really well. I was just blowing past Jon. Then he realized his recurring flat. Suddenly my success was slightly disproportionate. I should have known better; Jon woke up to a flat rear. he had a flat tire and cat urinated on my text. The piss rinsed right off, but we were delayed about an hour. Jon couldn't find the source of the puncture. Then we rolled down to someone or other's kitchen. I had the breakfast burrito and hashbrowns. Jon ordered a "full stack" of pancakes. He asked me what I normally put on my pancakes as he asked for lemon juice and surgar. It's how they do things in the land down under. Cheers.
The plant pictured with the bikes is a Joshua Tree.
The plant pictured with the bikes is a Joshua Tree.
For the longest time I would hear the call of a Mourning Dove in the morning and think it's an owl...
Originally Posted February 09, 2007
Aguila - 66 miles
As we sit at our superb campside in Aguila, two teenagers frolic about. These cats were even bold enough to enter our tents. This is a pleasent end to a long day. We went 66 miles and gained 1300 ft. The gradient, however, was much easier than the first set of mountains coming out of San Diego. Except for a few moments, it didn't even seem like there was a hill. Tomorrow should be a piece of cake. This is good news to my knees. Fortunately my hands are improving since I adjusted my handle bars. The time change and the long day has thrown us off because we are both still up at 10:40. While John was holding down the fort, I rode into town and gave the Hinkel's a call. We didn't want to surprise the folks in Surprise by getting there a day early. Please excuse the pun. The cafe in Wenden was distinctly in the middle of nowhere. It reminded me of Sitka. The woman working there, who I would venture to guess is the owner, ran from the earthquakes in California to Arizona. Everyone in the desert seems to be running from something. They are used-to-be's. The t-shirt in the Hope gas station said "Your beyond hope". Luckily the sin on the road said "you're". The last 15 miles to Aguila, which were mostly in the dark, were a fun last push. That was the deal. If we stayed in Quartzsite, then I would willingly push the next two long days to Surprise. It was a good deal because they day riding into Quartzsite was dreadfully hot.
We may actually have RV's to thank for me republishing this blog. Up here in Washington a couple months ago I was chatting with a friend. She and her husband usually go down South with their RV this time of year. I asked where they liked to go. I think Quartzite was the first spot named! So I had to go looking back at my old blog to see what I'd written all these years ago. Seeds were planted and one thing let to another...
Originally Posted February 08, 2007
Quartzite - 22 miles
We stopped early today... mostly at my request and against Jon's advice. But now he agrees that it was a good idea. We lost an hour of time going into Arizona. That makes today a short riding day. Then tomorrow we're looking at Aguila. And actually we're thinking we'll make it to Surprise on Saturday. I'll have to give Myrna and Larry a call tomorrow to keep them up to date. More decent weather, but it's hot. I'm actually missing the rain. It only took a little over a week. You can't have it all.
RV's are everywhere. They are on the road. They are in the towns. They are nestled amongst the hills. They are even in the sky. Ok... they weren't in the sky, but a plane dragging a sign advertising RV sales was in the sky. We are staying at an RV park. Camping in Aguila is RV camping. The land is pretty void of vegetation, however we are starting to see the classic cactus... you know the one that looks like a pitch fork.
Libraries. I figure that by the end of this trip I'll have stopped at at least 30 different libraries. Every one that I've been too has free internet. This library has a table full of 16 year olds arguing in a friendly manner while studying for some drivers ed test. They were amused when I asked them if we were in Quartzite. In the end I will be a library internet connoisseur.
Also of note... Quartzite must be where all the fair food trailers go for the winter. There must be hundreds of them along main street. I'm probably exaggerating, but not that much.
Car accidents, church things, walk around town, go to Mc Donalds, talk to strangers, and wait to get killed... that's what these four girls said there is to do around town for folks their age. I hope they were joking about a few of those. Church things are scary.
The librarian is going to kick me out so I must adios.
RV's are everywhere. They are on the road. They are in the towns. They are nestled amongst the hills. They are even in the sky. Ok... they weren't in the sky, but a plane dragging a sign advertising RV sales was in the sky. We are staying at an RV park. Camping in Aguila is RV camping. The land is pretty void of vegetation, however we are starting to see the classic cactus... you know the one that looks like a pitch fork.
Libraries. I figure that by the end of this trip I'll have stopped at at least 30 different libraries. Every one that I've been too has free internet. This library has a table full of 16 year olds arguing in a friendly manner while studying for some drivers ed test. They were amused when I asked them if we were in Quartzite. In the end I will be a library internet connoisseur.
Also of note... Quartzite must be where all the fair food trailers go for the winter. There must be hundreds of them along main street. I'm probably exaggerating, but not that much.
Car accidents, church things, walk around town, go to Mc Donalds, talk to strangers, and wait to get killed... that's what these four girls said there is to do around town for folks their age. I hope they were joking about a few of those. Church things are scary.
The librarian is going to kick me out so I must adios.
Please excuse the pretty rough quality on this comic... new format for me...
We do not know what was really going on here. There was a woman alone on the side of the road who looked like she needed help... but she didn't really want help from us. You can read Jon's version of the story here.
Maybe we only narrowly escaped being kidnapped?
Maybe she was a secret agent trying to bait the bad guys into abducting her so they could catch them?
Leave your theory in the comments!
We do not know what was really going on here. There was a woman alone on the side of the road who looked like she needed help... but she didn't really want help from us. You can read Jon's version of the story here.
Maybe we only narrowly escaped being kidnapped?
Maybe she was a secret agent trying to bait the bad guys into abducting her so they could catch them?
Leave your theory in the comments!
Originally Posted February 07, 2007
Blythe - 53 miles
This is where I am currently in the library. I haven't yet composed my thoughts for the day so I'll change this at my next stop. I need to tap out John outside and let him come in.
The continuation...
Today was relatively uneventful. We descended from the Chocolate Mountains. I took pictures of Palo Verde Peak, agricultural canals, and fields. There was also a phenomenal sunset that was kept away by the fence of the RV park. We had an interesting interaction with a woman on the side of the road 14 miles out of Palo Verde. John's blog of the encounter really does it justice. But in short and until he posts... there was some "business" gone bad with a schizophrenic and a gun. How she is in the desert without water. Here at the RV park on the Colorado River it is noisy, but the water his hot. There's a pool, but it's not worth the trouble. I'm really getting into burritos. I had two yesterday and three today.
The continuation...
Today was relatively uneventful. We descended from the Chocolate Mountains. I took pictures of Palo Verde Peak, agricultural canals, and fields. There was also a phenomenal sunset that was kept away by the fence of the RV park. We had an interesting interaction with a woman on the side of the road 14 miles out of Palo Verde. John's blog of the encounter really does it justice. But in short and until he posts... there was some "business" gone bad with a schizophrenic and a gun. How she is in the desert without water. Here at the RV park on the Colorado River it is noisy, but the water his hot. There's a pool, but it's not worth the trouble. I'm really getting into burritos. I had two yesterday and three today.
I wouldn't advise it, but we camped in the Chocolate Mountains. I have no idea who owns the land, but after the helicopter hovered directly above us, I had trouble going to sleep. I got in my sleeping bag and tried to relax. But I heard footsteps. I'd lift up my head to hear them better and they would stop. After several rounds of footsteps, lift, nothing, down, footsteps, lift, nothing. I talked to John.
That's just your pulse on your pillow.
This is one of those days I was very grateful to be traveling with John.
Originally Posted February 06, 2007
Chocolate Mountains - 43 miles
I sat looking up at the stars. I thought of Rob. He loves stars. I was with him for three months and I did enjoy him. Relationships are beautiful and complex. John and I seem to be traveling well together... so far. I almost had to bust his ass to campu up here in the Chocolate Mountains(pics to follow). Eventually I just made the decision for myself. But, he decided to follow me off the road.
The stars are out in full force with the aircraft bouncing around between them. A helicopter was no more than about 100m above us. No doubt it checked us out. I wouldn't be half surprised if a border patrol truck came rolling up in the middle of the night to check us out. Out heat signatures are all over the place.
We went through the sand dunes. On the right were dirt bikes and four wheelers. On the left was vegetation. The difference was quite remarkable and disappointing. The five points on my body that are in contact with the bike hurt. They're still getting broken in.
The stars are out in full force with the aircraft bouncing around between them. A helicopter was no more than about 100m above us. No doubt it checked us out. I wouldn't be half surprised if a border patrol truck came rolling up in the middle of the night to check us out. Out heat signatures are all over the place.
We went through the sand dunes. On the right were dirt bikes and four wheelers. On the left was vegetation. The difference was quite remarkable and disappointing. The five points on my body that are in contact with the bike hurt. They're still getting broken in.
I just want to take a minute to let you know that I had a flip phone on this trip. I am pretty sure it was pre-paid so I used a phone card whenever I had a land line. I didn't get a smart phone for another three years. I used the computers and internet at libraries to upload pictures, blog, and make plans for future accommodations. Instead of using GPS and Siri, I relied heavily on cyclists that came before me. I can't imagine how much different logistics would be for a trip like this now.
Adventure Cycling Association
These guys make amazing detailed turn by turn maps of bike routes across the country. I purchased and used their Southern Tier map set. They've changed it a little bit since then to make it more interesting and safe. A friend of mine from Sitka, Jeff Budd, had completed the route some time before I went and tipped me off to this great organization. This is their route map from on their website. I highly recommend!
Warmshowers
Jean Andre Vallery was the first host we found using Warmshowers. The idea is that cyclists host touring cyclists. I've gotten to host a couple of folks since I went on my trip, but honestly I haven't checked in on the site in a while. We found a ton of amazing hosts this way and a ton of them had done tours themselves. This is a graphic right off their website that helps explain things.
Originally Posted February 05, 2007
Brawley - 60 miles
Today we made it to Brawley and are resting peacefully at the travel something or other lodge. There is a shower and it is warm. I got to chat with a bunch of folks via land line and phone card. All good conversations. They all seem too busy. I feel I am adequately busy. That's nice for a change. John is out on the street trying to get in touch with his girlfriend in Australia. This is the real reason I am awake. Today we had 18 miles of descent from 3000 feet to below sea-level. I liked going more than 4 mph. We stopped at a bike shop in El Centro. One of the workers used to live in Sitka, but he didn't want to talk about it. They weren't incredibly helpful all around, but John really needed a tube or two. We stopped in Ocotillo and ate tacos and milkshakes. John always gets the malts. Then we rode through Plaster City. I have a picture of a sign I'll post later. All that's there is a drywall factory. When we stopped in El Centro, there was an official Blue Angels car in the parking lot. I can remember seeing them at Seafair in Seattle when I was just a tot.
| 15 years later I didn't remember the hot springs, but I did remember the Mexican border. |  |
Originally Posted February 04, 2007
Sunday: A day of rest - 0 miles
Again I am typing out from Jacumba. Andre was nice enough to get us to stay an extra day. Course when a sulfur hot springs is involved we don't need much encouragement. This morning we walked the 300 yards to the fence. Border control quickly became aware of our presence and instructed us to stop putting foot prints in their smoothed out section that parallels the fence. Apparently they need to see the foot prints...
Then we went over to the sulfur hot springs and soaked in the jacuzzi for over an hour. That was quite nice. Someone should remind me not to post a descriptor like nice. It just doesn't to it justice or anything for that matter. I had a bit of a headache, so I loafed around for a while watching parts of movies on television. Currently the boys are off at the hot springs again while I hold down the fort. It's been great to get some pictures up and on the site. I'm considering taking another shower... There are a few cacti pictured. The two brownish ones I don't know anything about, but the green one is what Patron is made from. I feel like I've been lacking detail, but if you check out John's Blog with the link on the right, he fills in where I don't. It's been fun listening to John and Jean's chatter in the background, but we'll be heading out tomorrow for 18 miles of decent from 2800ft back down to sea level and below. I have 7 maps and tomorrow we'll probably at least finish the fourth if not the fifth of the 15 panels on the first. If that was too confusing, I'm sorry.
Then we went over to the sulfur hot springs and soaked in the jacuzzi for over an hour. That was quite nice. Someone should remind me not to post a descriptor like nice. It just doesn't to it justice or anything for that matter. I had a bit of a headache, so I loafed around for a while watching parts of movies on television. Currently the boys are off at the hot springs again while I hold down the fort. It's been great to get some pictures up and on the site. I'm considering taking another shower... There are a few cacti pictured. The two brownish ones I don't know anything about, but the green one is what Patron is made from. I feel like I've been lacking detail, but if you check out John's Blog with the link on the right, he fills in where I don't. It's been fun listening to John and Jean's chatter in the background, but we'll be heading out tomorrow for 18 miles of decent from 2800ft back down to sea level and below. I have 7 maps and tomorrow we'll probably at least finish the fourth if not the fifth of the 15 panels on the first. If that was too confusing, I'm sorry.
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