Salome, AZ to Wickenburg, AZ
Wheels down at 0709. Still not early enough, as it was just Eileen and I, with Ken sweeping. Tomorrow, I intend to leave just after breakfast, packing my panniers and loading the bike prior to 0530.
We wheeled through the small hamlets of Wenden and Gladden. Nothing there but farms, ranches, sage, and tumbleweed! Wenden did have a golf course, but I'm not sure where all the golfers com from, as we seem to be a long way from anywhere! Gladden is not even on our map, so we were surprised to see the sign.
Below is what we saw all day. Mountains in the distance, with desert sage and creosote brush in the foreground. We never saw any rattlesnakes; however, we did see three dead coyotes on the road.
We stopped for brunch at the Coyote Cafe in Aguila. For some, it was another second breakfast. For me, an early lunch, enjoying the Carne Asada plate. We had a nice conversation with a local rancher who came in as we were leaving. He has hosted bicyclists at his ranch, for those whom he met on the road and invited in. His sister-in-law has bicycled cross country a couple times, so he is familiar with the drill. Truly a nice guy, and not what we would experience in the cities.
One of our riders, Tom R., had a bad run of flat tires - at last one each day. We came across this abandoned gas station, and I couldn't help but coax him into posing next to this sign:
A lonely Saguaro, standing sentry.
We had ridden about 45 miles when we came across this mile marker. It seemed like we had ridden 100 miles today, but we were only about 12 miles from our destination, and it is all downhill from here!
Today's ride ended at the Horspitality RV Park, where we set up our tents on the grass. Spent the afternoon relaxing, chatting, doing laundry, and sorting photos. Amazing how many tents can fit into such a small plot of grass!
Tomorrow is a long day - 70 miles; however, it is mostly all downhill!
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