Long long day

45 miles was supposed to be a nice easy day. Sure we knew that it
included One of the biggest climbs of the trip but that includes a big
downhill... Right? Well it turned out to be one of the toughest days.
The climb was def. the longest and pretty darn steep too. We are
talking close to two hours in my granny gear taking switch back after
switch back. It was a great road for a climb though, no traffic, great
views, no wind, and did I mention no traffic? So the climb was what we
expected and I had hoped for a nice long downhill. I did not get my
wish. Nice short downhill thru the pine trees and then WTF another
uphill? We had to climb to reach New Mexico. We then lunched at the
Mule Creek post office with stuff we had bought in the morning. We
then hoped it would be flat or even downhillish to Buckhorn, our final
destination. Well because of our late start we had a nice windy
afternoon and of course it was into us. The 19 miles were some of the
longest of the trip. At an intersection a car pulled up and I noticed
Cali plates and a Santa cruz holder. I thought, driving here would
have been a much better idea. Finally into buckhorn and a nice
surprise of a shower at the RV park and pizza. For those of you on the
edge of your seats about my bowel situation. Well I maybe have pushed
myself to the other side with Pepto. I should no in the morning.
Hoping that my powerball numbers came up tonight. I may right now be
175 million richer and I'll get to share the winnings with my
wonderful mother. Thanks mom for your support, not only for this trip
bit for all the crazy things I've done. You've always helped pave the
way and never complained about the gray hairs I've given you. Love you.

joe

Friends in low and high places

It was the hardest kind of tough to leave the hospitality offered us by Cary and Marilyn, but even here among the windy mountains we find some of the creature comforts of home. Joe is seen below introducing himself to our host. We can simply not thank our supporters enough, especially those who have shared their homes and more with us--Brit and Chris, Jon and Tara, Jen and Deanna, Betty and Jim, and of course Cary and Marilyn. But I regret to inform you that you have all been replaced. While he doesn't offer much in the way of conversation and can't cook worth a darn, Leif Erikson is full of more energy and charm than quite a few humans I've known (though none on the previous list). We have deciced that if he follows us down the road as we leave camp we must adopt him and place him wrapped in a towel to ride in my handlebar bag. Of course when we get to El Paso we'll find him a proper helmet.
(By the way, thanks again RJ for another Friday--I owe you some RJ tribute blogs, coming soon.)
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A furry welcome

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Thar's gold in them thar hills!

Like the reckless dreamers who came before us in search of wild riches and unspoiled beauty, Arizona did not simply allow us to cross her border--rather, she pulled is in, wide-eyed and thirsting for a taste of her legends. I was particularly entranced by the tale of the Lost Dutchman Mine, a juicy story with all the best elements of romantic old-west adventure and tragedy, including a death-bed riddle. There's even an Apache curse to contend with, and countless mysterious deaths after which bones and belongings are sometimes found, but the map is always missing. I thought long on the legend as we climbed near and around the appropriately named Superstition Mountains. Is there a lost load hiding deep in those secret stone hills just waiting to be reclaimed? Waiting for me; calling to me?
I decide that while Arizona does have enormous treasure awaiting those with enough luck and grit (they have powerball here, haha), her true riches are far easier to find and far more enduring than even the heartiest gold rush myth. I am talking about the distinctive Saguaro cacti that are rarely found outside Arizona but somehow evoke all the lore and mystique of the entire southwest. Seeing these living artworks in person was just as magical as I'd anticipated. No human mind could conceive of nor any artist hand replicate the infinite variations of form and figure found in a Saguaro field. Endless arms posing in suspended motion, figurines reaching and bending and limb-twisting with heads fashioned ever skyward.
As we prepare to leave Arizona and its aura behind us I realize the only Saguaro we'll see for the rest of the trip will be on jars of salsa. I know the places we're about to see hold other treasures that will make our eyes alight, but somehow I think none will be as poignant as the green gold that's hidden in plain sight here in the Arizona desert.
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Living Legends

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Shamrock Shake!

TMI Zone

Word of caution to our readers. The followingmy be more info then you
want to know. Feel free to skip this entry if you do not like to read
about bodily functions. For those of you still with me, here is the
over share. I haven't had a solid bowel movement since Monday morning,
it's now Friday morning and it's wearing on me. Tuesday, our first day
off in phoenix I felt horrible all around. Wednesday I felt better but
still the same bowel issue. I was hoping my body just missed riding
and things would go back to normal yesterday. Well 66 miles and no
luck. I'm drinking even more than normal making sure I stay hydrated
and am hopeful my body can beat out whatever I picked up. I'm hoping a
little RJ Friday luck will come my way. Thanks to my dad and step-mom
for hosting us and letting us make a mess in their garage. We needed
the break. Send me positive energy for solid waste

joe