Mar 18 2012

12-03-17 Saturday 83 days – Socorro, NM – San Miguel church – You know bad weather is not always bad

head wind into Socorro, NM down I25 freeway. The car speed limit is 75mph. The bicycle maximum speed is only limited by the head wind and rider about 10mph avg for me.

The rest stop on I25 – meet some folks a mother and adult son from Norway – been here in the USA 9 years kind of traveling around the US, living out of a car. Have a different view of things than others I have met. One thing about this trip any preconceived ideas I had about people in general are surely challenged, which is good. Maybe by the time I am full circle back to Tucson, I and Michael(my grandson) will have new ideas about stuff. Perhaps you will get a different thought for yourselves out of this journey.

the mountains look really far away and yet Socorro, is 15 miles ahead on the other side of them. The wind is what makes them far away. Kinda of like goals we set they seem so far away, and then it is only the struggle that make them seem that way.

Made it into San Miguel Church by 4 pm in time for vigal mass. It begins to work out as well we want it to – the motel, a Walmart and grocery store are all with in 4 blocks.

The view from the WalMart parking lot – the wind is up and the clouds are coming in another storm is on it’s way, Glade I am tucked in at the Economy Inn motel.

Mar 18 2012

12-03-16 Friday 82 days – Meeting more people and a great down hill

A really great morning – the way the weather and scenery changes from day to day. The whole feel on the senses is really something. Of course not worrying about how to survive the rest of day gives me the luxury of seeing more around me if I choose to see.

A few miles up the road I came across 2 fellows from Canada who are makeing professional videos of trains. this particular new section of railroad pass was just completed recently. In talking with the photographers, I remembered and talked about my riding freight trains across the USA from Roseville, ca to Lynchburg, Va when I was 19yrs old. Guess what this bike ride is a lot longer, slower and much more luxurious. Do we ever really grow up, change and become completely different people?

Now this is what Iam talking about for a good down hill – Into the Rio Grande Valley

Still on Hwy 60 at the Y going straight a long way to I25

this 17mile section of Hwy 60 to I25 is all down hill, a pretty good wind into my left shoulder out of SW. The new blacktop is smooth and wide shoulder.

Ya know there are folks with all kinds of situations, most of them are those they make happen to themselves or let happen to themselves. Many time we get into a direction and feel unable to go somewhere else or only stay where we are.

Back to the Rio Grande River – seems like a long time ago since El Paso, Texas the Gulf of Mexico, Houston, my daughters and Son-in-Law and Grandkids in Leonard and here I am back to the Rio Grande River

The river travels a long way over 1000 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.

at junction of I25 and Hwy 60 is this great RV park – It’s early and the blood pressure in low – 30 mile on day so far – going to hang out here till the run into Socorro, NM

the lobby of the RV park – The owner has an animal rescue place – these are Finch and Parakeets gages kinda neat. Really enjoyed sitting around the lobby, washing cloths, showering, etc. The conversations were good.

Mar 18 2012

12-03-15 Thursday 81 days – Short mileage and changes in terrain

Heading to Mountainair 10 miles ahead. Only had sporatic Verizon service,

Mountainair some of the Adobe has lasted for it full purpose and beyond. Maybe the government should pass laws to require all building be adobe from local materials. save on fuel, resources and is biodegradable, with water. Would need to do away with some building codes though.

Our history lesson of the region today

sitting here at Ancient Cities Cafe with big burrito, Coffee – charging up everything – still no wifi to up load photos. Went to the Library which has free wifi no cell service. stayed there until 6pm

The other side of Mountainair the west side of the slope to Rio Grande valley and the country changes

I think this stuff is cool. you can think of all that has passed by here in the just the last 400yrs. Riding at 5-15 mph gives a different perspective and feel to the area. Even then the weather is different now and than at different times over even the last 400 yrs.

Camping on my federal lands, the water bottles froze during the night. The trains are still close enough to hear every 30 mins all night long – there is a lot of freight going both ways just on this line.

Mar 15 2012

12-03-14 80 days – Hit the center of New Mexico – near Willard.

Morning rises in New Mexico

Here is some more coal mineing to feed the power plants – Thank you for the fruits of the earth to sustain us.

I made it to Lucy, NM it a crossroad to Lucy ranch. not far from here I meet James E.Vassar Author of BBClark and the Golden Buddha – he is 71 and riding his bicycle from Moriarty to Fort Worth, Tx unsupported. Missed the picture of him. Thanks Jim for spending a few minutes with me.

a while ago painting other folks property was garfittie now it is artistic license – as long as it is the right art.

Not much else to shoot at out here.

View to the salt lake

out side of Willard, NM – some of that free wind Electricity. of course everything to get there is based on fossil fuel, including the copper mining, manufactureing, Lubricants for the bearings, Fuel for the service vehicles, etc.

Met another wonderful young fellow Ryan, who lives with his wife and daughter in Willard, Good conversation about stuff. December 2012. ???

another beautiful sunset, I always think these are the Sandia Mountains with Albaqureque on the other side, they are not.

A nice 37 mile day – yea I cracked the face on the odometer Ya know after about 2300 miles some of this starts to fad a little. and I am still here and still going.

Mar 15 2012

12-03-13 Tuesday 79 days – Just rolling – sometimes there is too much thinking.

Tuesday morning camping 3 miles out side of Vaughn

St. Marys Church – Charged up phone, compter, ipod, while over at ALLsups in a discussion about Isam with a local woman and a Muslum here 35yr from India – interesting. My take away was if we give all the money the Shay of Iran took when he was over thrown 30+ years ago, not oppose Iran to have an Atom bomb like everyone else, and not protect Israel in the future then, Iran would be friends with the USA. UMM

able to get some praying and meditating.

That is snow over there that hasn’t melted yet – expecting cool evening

still have the west head wind probable will for the next week or so. the difference will be in the speed.

The prong horn antelope dont act like the horses and cows. They go the other way when they pick me up. If Iam ever starving out here I am hunting cows for food not antelope

late in the afternoon made it through Encino, NM

been here before and have to turn left again. DARN, not a good time to visit.

down for the night – It will be 2 days to get to Mountainair nm and only one little town in between.

Mar 15 2012

12-03-12 Monday 78 days – This is always the hard part – this too shall pass

 

A couple of miles out of Yeso – This where the elements can increase you mood. Lonely, cold struggle, on a road where you didn’t expect to be only a week ago.,

The rest stop that I was aiming for yestetrday. Spent 2 hours, Fixed coffee, and ramen noodles – and found out the stove is on it’s last leg – the fuel pipe as a small hole in it – that was rubbed into it – will pick up another when I get to a large enough city to carry hiking stuff. This one only lasted 30+years when my son and I used to hike.

Lots of this cactus in the country side

another view – the country side is a little more hostile,

Ended up makeing 33.8 miles – got into rolling hills which blocked some of the head wind. Vaughn, NM is on the horizon 3 miles away. I cut the water a ;little closer than I wanted too, I, ll pick up an extra bottle at the next stop

Mar 15 2012

12-03-11 Sunday 77 days – Off to the center of New Mexico. OH the Westerly Winds.