| As I exited Quartzsite the next morning, I captured this
view of the town with an RV dealership in the foreground. I was back on
Interstate 10 until State Highway 60 spurs off to the northwest. |
| I cycled over Plomosa Pass on I-10, a modest pass that got me over the Plomosa
Mountains. At the exit for Highway 60, I rested on the side of the road and captured
a desert view (bottom) and a prominent mountain (top) to the north.
The sunny weather in the 70's was perfect for cycling and I appreciated riding through
the small towns of Brenda and Hope. Both are actually concentrated RV camps for snowbirds during the winter months,
and elderly folks walking or sitting near the road often waved to me.
|
| Near Vicksburg Junction, I looked back on my route and captured this highway shot. :)
There would be many more lonely roads like this one as I contined into eastern Arizona and New Mexico. |
Directly Above: A sign at the junction of Highways 60 and 72 in Hope.
| Hope, Arizona (top photo) consisted of a gas station & convenience store, antique store,
a church and a few RV parks. The town was astonishingly quiet
and as the only person in the convenience store, the worker and
I exchanged words about my long journey and this particular corridor.
"It's a shame I don't have my car right now, because I'd really
like to explore this area more." I would utter similar words in a many more quaint western towns.
I also engaged in a pleasant conversation with a gentleman from
San Diego as he pumped gas in his truck. In rural areas like this, merely standing outside a
convenience store while drinking a refreshment would be enough for locals to inquire
about where I was heading and exhibit a gesture of friendliness.
|
| I continued up Granite Wash Pass, a gentle hill in the Little Harquahala Mountains,
where the desert scenery was just beautiful. I was enjoying myself and in a groove!
This was my most enjoyable day among all 45 days of the adventure.
I was still elated from the
meaningful send off in Blythe and I had so much joy.
This untraveled highway goes through very peaceful lands that
resemble the most common mythical associations of the wide-open desert and old West.
This is Arizona at its best!
|
| Salome, Arizona ... "Where She Danced" is the town sub-title.
I really fell in love with this small town. It is vastly different from the overpopulated areas of Phoenix and Tucson
that is characterized by crime, traffic jams, suburban sprawl and stressed out American living. |
| Like yesterday, I made it a shorter than average ride.
I traveled 41 miles to reach Salome, and the
next town with lodging was 55 miles down the road in Wickenburg.
While I was confident I could have made it, my intuition told me to stop,
relax and enjoy the afternoon. To have rushed past this inviting little town would have been a mistake.
I enjoyed a large Mexican dish at Christina's Cactus Cafe & Bar (adjacent photo)
served in a laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere. |
| I checked in at the Sheffler's Motel,
a reasonably priced inn with a very friendly motelkeeper.
My room contained badly outdated interior design and fixtures - stuff that reminded me of my grandparents' generation.
Still, everything was clean and functional and nothing was going to get me down.
I felt great about today's ride and had a full afternoon to enjoy the Arizona sunshine and
explore the town. My body was beginning to feel strong and was slowly adjusting to daily riding.
I visited the library, had pizza for dinner and watched the sunset.
Not far from the motel was the grave of Dick Wick Hall, someone
I had never heard of, but the grave site had a very touching tribute to his life.
The tall and strong saguaro (top photos) next to it was magnificent.
|
| It was a very relaxing and positive day. I thought I would throw
in one more shot of large saguaro
in front of a home.
My evening was uneventful and I was in bed with the lights out by 9 p.m. |
