Thursday April 16, 2009, 55 miles (89 km) - Total so far: 1,218 miles (1,960 km)
Weather: Temperatures 47-84, winds southeast light and variable, clear skies. Today's ride was another fairly easy day, but the hottest day of the trip so far. The terrain was mostly a constant gradual downhill which made the riding very pleasurable, despite some late crosswinds and headwinds. We all hated to leave Marathon, a small but unique town. After a great breakfast, served by a transplanted Georgian, the entire route beyond Marathon was almost a devoid of towns, people, and traffic. It gives one a very lonely feeling when you are out there alone. I am struck by the vast openness of this area. The only thing we saw of note besides a few isolated ranches and a few cattle, were a small herd of the stores are closed and deer off in the distance. Like everywhere in the desert southwest in spring, flowers were everywhere. Sanderson is a sad town. Once a railroad town, the locals told us that over 70% of the houses here are now vacant. Most of the stores are closed, and there are a couple of old motels trying to survive in a dying town. Like everywhere we have been, though, the people are nice and everyone seems to have good attitudes. This bike ride is reinforcing my belief in the great American optimism that drives our culture.
Hope all is well back home.
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
No comments:
Post a Comment