Friday Kevin said GOODBYE TEXAS! It was a long, hard two weeks in the Lone Star State but as they entered "The Land of Enchantment" that magical feeling of fairy tale stories took over and they knew everything was going to be smooth sailing (or pedaling) from there on out...
That first day in New Mexico was, in fact, enchanting. Landscapes were breathtaking.
Some of the pictures Kevin sent to me made me think of Route 66 with vintage buildings, classic cars and old tractors.
They crossed over the Rio Grande? Looks like the Rio Sand!
They ended the day in Radium Springs, NM with 83 miles under their belts.
Like a Grimms' Fairy Tale, enter the "darkness" on Saturday... Darkness took the form of evil character #1 - WIND. We thought we had battled wind before but that was but a puff compared to the 55 MPH blasts on Saturday. No joke here - the wind shut the ride down after 44 miles in Caballo, NM.
During the day, however, they did pass through Hatch which evidently is the Chili Pepper capital of New Mexico. (I made that up based on all the chili pepper pictures Kevin sent me)
Chilis, Chilis EVERY WHERE! Where's my heartburn medication???
For crying out loud - even Uncle Sam had a chili!
So, did things get better on Sunday? Um, no. Enter evil characters #2 and #3 - COLD and CLIMBS. The day started at a brisk 35 degrees and it really didn't ever warm up.
Over the course of the day they traveled through the Black Range (aka Devil's Mountains) and Gila National Forest.
Finally after climbing up to 8,828 feet they reached the summit of Emory Pass.
Interesting sites along the way included this dark little creature - a tarantula!
They also passed the Santa Rita Copper Mine on the way to their final destination for the day - Santa Clara, NM. On Sunday a total of 71 more miles were traveled over the course of 7 long, cold hours. Way to hang in there!!
Maybe this sign says it all...
Jeff had a little palaver with the local law! No worries - his pitiful look was all an act!
To sum up the last 3 days, Friday was a nice, pleasant day but the weekend was rough. Despite all obstacles Kevin, Emi, Jim and Jeff moved another 198 miles toward their goal. This puts new meaning to the phrase, "Nothing worth having comes easy." We endure these trials knowing this journey will end in San Diego but the journey for our wounded warriors will last a lifetime...
4 Click here to leave a message for Kevin:
Great work kids
You two are amazing!!I love following your day to day postings....
Mary McMahon Arondel
Kevin Hope to hook up when with you arrive in San Diego for a couple of beers!!!!! You are the Man Don Laspesa
If you go north on the Rio Grande a few hundred miles near Taos, you can go white water rafting. I saw a guy pull a 28" Brown out of the river further south near Samta Fe. After taking what we want in NM & states further north, you get an idea of what's left for Mexico....I just don't understand why they get so upset....
XOXO Waterdog123
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