One of the disadvantages of the cattle drive bike ride across America is that you have to get from one town to another as soon as possible most days. That is because of the heat and wind. And you usually don't want to pedal one mile more than you have to. So in past years I just saw the signs to the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. So this year I was determined to see them. It was about a two hour detour and was well worth it. The pictures do not do justice but you get an idea of the magnificence of the areas. I have never seen anything like this before. Craters of the Moon in Idaho has a little bit of this and Yellowstone also. However this is unique. The little bright green creature was walking down the path. As we approached he very kindly posed on the rock and did not seem bothered by us.
Today the riders were going from Holbrook to Gallup. It was a very windy day. Fortunately mostly tailwinds. It was another day of riding on I-40. That means lots of flats because of the debris on the road (tiny wires from the blown truck tires embed themselves in the bike tires and puncture holes in the tubes.) We stopped to talk to Herm and Geoffrey at the New Mexico state line. I hope they sprinkled their sand. Herm said he had already had 4 flats. Rumor has it that Alan had that many also. The wind was really blowing and Geoffrey rescued my hat that had blown away. Further down the road we saw a group of riders fixing a flat and the van stopped at a safe pull off spot. Robin was in the van and Eileen had walked back to the riders with a pump. Eilene has spent the last two days getting training driving the sweep van. That will be her job when Robin goes home for a weeks break.
The evening was spent in the Santa Fe plaza area. Norm has been wanting a leather jacket for years and found one. Then we had a great Mexican dinner out on a second floor deck. It was a lovely night.
Great way to spend a birthday.
Happy Birthday Day! I do remember getting to ride route 66 on your birthday a few years back.
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