Day 18 - Las Cruces to El Paso, TX

Three states down and five to go! A thousand miles to ride in Texas now, so this state will take a while.
Mitch made frying-pan size pancakes for breakfast this morning and demonstrated his fine flipping skills (see photo). We took our time today since we couldn't check into the Comfort Inn until 3 pm. Our ride was supposed to be 43 miles, but ended up being between 63 and 71 miles depending on the route (there were two choices). Andre, Bob G, Jerry and Carol rode four bonus miles when I made a wrong turn and we enjoyed a tour of the neighborhood south of Las Cruces (smile).
It was a delight to roll this morning wearing just biking shorts and a light jacket in the cool air. No tights or huddling in the laundry room!
We stopped for coffee and pastries in Mesilla, close to last night's restaurant. In the photo are (left to right) Bob G, Andre, Carol, Jerry and Bruce.
After Mesilla we passed many pecan trees (see Rhodri's blog post with some great photos). Also fields of green onions, alfalfa and chilis. Three wineries too (see photo of one).
We crossed the Rio Grande River several times yesterday and today. Surprisingly it is bone dry (see photo).
The architecture in this region is consistently one story with adobe-style exterior and poles sticking out at the flat roof (see photo). This changed in El Paso to pitched roofs and brick and other exteriors.
In the tiny town of Chamberino we stopped in the shade of the Post Office for a snack or lunch. Pictured are Bob G, Andre and Carol.
When we reached the outskirts of El Paso, we crossed from New Mexico to Texas. We were anticipating a big "Welcome to Texas" sign. Instead we were met with no sign and lousy pavement. So I took a photo of a Texas license plate on a beater VW bug to note the occasion.
We rode into El Paso from the west on Mesa St. Lots of city traffic and strip malls, with a gentle incline. The nearby red mountains to the north were dramatic with jagged tooth-like tops. We stopped at a local bike shop for spare inner tubes and some minor adjustments.
We then rolled through the downtown and continued east, passing the bridge to Mexico (see photo). The terrain was flat as we rode through an industrial area, past a refinery, and houses. We were glad to arrive at our first motel on the trip. Julianne thoughtfully gave us each a bag of Epsom salts in a "Welcome to Texas" bag. Kinda made up for the missing sign!
After showering, doing laundry and working on bikes, we walked to a nearby Texas Roadhouse to celebrate our arrival in the Lone Star state. Pictured quenching their thirst are (left to right) Bob Plant, Linda, Mitch, Bob Pedersen, Julie, Andre, Flynn, Rhodri and Ken.
Bob Plant was elated tonight because Marquette University's basketball team beat Miami (Florida) in the NCAA tourney. Note Bob's "MU" hat in the photo, adorning a cactus!
Most of us wore T-shirts or the equivalent to dinner. Credit to Linda and Carol who dressed for the occasion (see photo).
Dick Ward is the rider who broke a hand and had to leave the tour. Mitch said Dick's hand is in a cast and he should be able to ride again in four to six weeks. We are glad to hear he should make a full recovery, wish him the best, and miss him.
Bruce.

Las Cruces to El Paso.

Was only a short day of "about" 43 miles. My odometer said 61..... They must have been "Mitch Miles".

Anyway here we are successfully ensconced in the Comfort Inn. Julieanne has supplied us all with bath salts which were eagerly poured in and used at the earliest opportunity. Thanks. Also today we passed field upon field of pecan trees which I have discovered are pronounced pecaaaan. Anyway, here's a picture of them and the orchard (do pecans grow in orchards?)

Viva Bob Gordon.

Bob expresses quiet satisfaction at conquering Emory Pass.

Good work Bob.

Old Glory Across the Country

Bob Plant, a Navy veteran, has carried a flag with him on every ride for 16 years and this ride is no different. You are a patriot Bob- thanks!

Last couple of days

Sunrise over the Rockies as we head out of Silver City, NM casts a long shadow. Icy morning up Emory Pass in Railroad Canyon. Past Gila Indian Cliff dwelling country where our faithful blogger Bruce puts up his posts after a long hard ride.

Head over heels!

Peter came to visit Linda in Las Cruces. After all these years, still "heels over head" when too much weight on the same side of a small unstable table.

Day 17 - Arrey to Las Cruces, NM

Last night was better for sleeping than prior nights, since temps were "up to" the 30s and no wind. Sunrise was beautiful (see photo).
We were tired from yesterday's Emory Pass ascent and afternoon headwind, so rode at less than full speed today. Before leaving camp I managed to break my tire's valve stem while adding air (a daily task) (see photo). We rode about 62 miles on route 187 from Caballo Lake State Park to Las Cruces. We ascended 600 or 1200 feet depending on whose computer was used. Flat nearly all the way. We passed a significant number of pecan orchards (see photo), and fields of cotton, onions, chilis and alfalfa. The last was for dairy cattle at two large dairies we passed.
After 20 miles we came to the town of Hatch, which bills itself the chili capital of the world (see photos). We enjoyed a hot drink and huevos rancheros at the Valley Cafe (see photo of waitress with Sandra, Trevor, Bruce and Julie - Andre took the photo). My Pittsburgh relatives will be glad to hear the waitress was wearing a Troy Polamalu Pittsburgh Steelers T- shirt!
The remaining 42 miles to Las Cruces were uneventful except Jerry picked up a flat from our nemesis, the goathead. I stopped at a great little Mexican bakery (see photo) and refreshed on an apple empanada.
Linda's husband, Peter (see photo) was hiking the Grand Canyon and joined us this evening. He is now off to Big Bend park, and will rejoin us at Fort Davis.
Instead of cooking dinner tonight, we piled into the van for a run to a Mexican restaurant Julianne knows called La Posta de Mesilla. Boy, was the food good! Lots of red and green chili dishes. Authentic interior too according to Andre, who has lived in Mexico. Jerry graciously bought a round of tequila shots for medicinal purposes, since Mitch's cold is being passed around the group. In the photo are (left to right) Terry, Bruce, Julie, Rhodri, Flynn, Jerry, Julianne, Mitch, Bob G, Ken, Bob Plant, Linda, Andre, Carol and Bob Pedersen. Thanks to Peter for taking the photo. The last picture shows Bob Pedersen about to dig in.
On a closing note ... Carol said last night was the first night she did not need to use earplugs. So the designated snore-free zone worked!
Bruce