"Byyyye! Have a good ride!" shouted the motel keeper just before I departed on the highway. Her simple act of kindness put a smile on my face during today's ride in the desert.

My daily interaction with humans was often limited to checking in with a motel deskperson, buying supplies at a convenience store and interacting with waitresses in restaurants. Almost by instinct, my heart clung tightly with appreciation to any friendly encounters I had out there, for they sometimes boosted morale during the long and lonely rides. Since San Diego seven days ago, I had no face-to-face interactions with a person I already knew.

After 50 miles and a few hours of riding, the temperature reached 75 ... not too shabby. Here is another northerly view from Highway 60 just before reaching Wickenburg.

When I would typically enter a town, this would be my regular pattern: 1) Find a cheap motel, get a room and leave my bike inside, 2) Eat a huge late lunch to replenish myself, 3) Walk around town if there was anything interesting, 4) Rest/nap at the motel room, 5) Eat dinner and 6) Be in bed with the lights out no later than 9 p.m. Most of the time, it was an entirely banal routine and little energy was available for much else.

Adjacent photos:
TOP: An area of homes on the west end of Wickenburg.
MIDDLE: The main intersection of Highways 63 & 90 come together. I learned this area is commonly busy because its a main thoroughfare between Phoenix and Las Vegas.
BOTTOM: The Saguaro Theater, featuring the Desert Stagers Melodrama, caught my eye.

Wandering on the bike, I ended up at this McDonald's where I momentarily caved in from my vow to avoid fast food. The well-manicured prickly pear cacti in the front deserved some recognition anyway. That looks great!

A teenager worker informed me I was on the eastern edge of town. There was no lodging or much at all further east; The few motels I passed was all there was.

For the third consective and final day, I decided to shorten the ride. With a week of cycling under my belt, I felt ready to ride longer distances in the 70-80 mile range beginning tomorrow. My body still struggled with some post-ride exhaustion at the end of the day, but my body's ability to recover, handle pain and deal with soreness greatly improved. I was a very confident and joyful man!

I walked around Wickenburg for a short while in the late afternoon. I did not partake in much picture taking minus these three photos. The train near downtown was striking (top right) and I admired two tall palm trees at the motel (bottom). The exhortation on a sign at a storage facility read "Watch for big problems. They disguise big opportunities."

Yes! This is very true! I remembered my morning with Greg in Blythe and told myself that with God on my side, I could handle any situation. My leisure walk reflected the contentment of my spirit, but little did I know I would soon be rudely awakened by troubling circumstances that would challenge me to learn and re-experience this lesson all over again real soon!