Valley of Fires & The Rio Grande [news]

03/04/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

Carrizozo, NM, is home to those nearest to the Trinity Site (World's first atomic bomb exploded in July 16th, 1945) and is a memorable town for Paul & I. Riding into Carrizozo is best done without an airplane altimeter for we would have easily registered a 'stall'. With heated bearings and wind crunched faces we made camp at Valley of Fires National Recreation Area. Picking the most scenic camp site on the reclaimed lava field we had our own private shade tree and small lava formed grotto.

We cooked our hamburg and made a fire in the stone-cold lava overhang. The sun set over the Pacific Ocean, 900 miles away, and the desert chilled. There's something strange about the proud desert; A blank expanse where even nature shies from elaborate cultivation but instead sows seeds of true muscle and longevity. When at night, the desert cowers; Seemingly content, the desert is lost for hope of warmth. We blanketed ourselves in the magnificent expanse of luminous stars and sat by our fire. We heated the grotto and cursed the onset of the full moon and it's ability to attract our attention only towards it's intimidating glow.

With mechanical problems diagnosed in the cool morning light we went after a bike shop. A volunteer gentleman at the camp lent us the use of his pickup and we drove to Ruidoso, the southern-most ski resort in the United States. Looking west we determined we were officially surrounded by the Southwest region. We bought the National Audubon Society's Field Guide for the Southwestern States and biked through a land separated from everything Paul & I were familiar with.

Deviating from a true pioneering sense we decided to cross the Rio Grande by bridge instead of attempting the ford. In doing so, Paul is now the farthest west in the United States that he has ever been. This is truly new territory for him and even for myself... well... everyday since New England has been 'new territory' for me; For that I am constantly thrilled.

Southwestern Desert and Plains [news]

03/04/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

We have been biking now through some of the most arid and tumultuous landscapes in the country. We have seen lava fields and strange volcanic formations that tower over plains of cacti and agaves. Our only regret is that our days are spent making it to the next town. Which often holds our direct attention because of potable water sources. Therefore we haven't been able to write quite as much of our travels due to internet locations. We will have much to say in the near future as we travel across these ranges laced with deserts. Our current waypoint goal is Phoenix, AZ (our current midpoint to San Diego).

Laughing Sheep [news]

03/02/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

Out of Roswell, peering out at Mt. Capitan (10,083 ft elev.) standing in solitude amongst tilted plains leading only upwards, we were fooled into a false sense of 'flatness'. Around a steep bend the road tilted greatly downward into the Hondo Valley. We found ourselves barreling into a rather fertile and ancient valley home to small ranches alongside the Hondo River. The smoothly sculpted hills were salt and peppered with dark green creosote bushes and spots of snow on the northern faces. The composition of the hills reminded me of the pale yellow colour in Colman's Mustard. Finally after so many weeks of the shallowest grades through the Deep South we had some elevation worth riding; As well as some of the regionally most unique geology and flora to the southwestern states.

We kept climbing, up to 2,000 ft. per day. Finding ourselves in the Capitan Valley (expecting snow accumulation) we sought out Historic Lincoln for some shelter. Regarded as one of the more current pure western towns, embracing western architecture and lifestyle, Historic Lincoln was home to fugitives such as Billy the Kid. On a Saturday night however this particular town appeared to hold residence to cows, songbirds, and phantoms.

Scouting for a campground just West of town we stopped short at the Laughing Sheep Orchard & Ranch. I felt compelled to ride down and inquire for a place to stay. Note to Reader: The surprise of welcoming hospitality has yet to lose it's luster. I feel that I may always be surprised, especially accompanied with the random instances of a proper adventure, with those individuals whom have no knowledge of myself, but of the traveler.

We bunked there for the night; Paul was in the greenhouse, and I was in the framework for the new restaurant on site. We learned that this particular ranch was self-sustaining and organic. Most likely holding true to the aspirations of many whom own farmland and ranch for a living.

We left late in the morning to the overhead eviscerated clouds that only meant the storm had passed and clear sky was to come. We promptly headed West (an ongoing theme to our travels towards the Pacific) and out of the Capitan and San Francisco Ranges. We shot out of Capitan (location of Smokey Bear's home and rescue) and into an elevated plain home to lava fields and white seas of gypsum.

We were not Abducted [news]

03/01/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

We left Throckmorton, NM and headed West on 380. We passed through such towns as Clairemont and Aspermont. Arriving in Post we found the local Family Dollar and had intentions of only keeping on keeping on (Paul & I have come to the subtle conclusion that Family Dollar & Dollar General compete for our patronage). A married couple in queue with us asked if we would accept their offer to drive us farther down the road. We normally would have pleasantly turned down the offer and opted to physically make the travel. They were persistent in that it would be wise to accept the offer. We obliged and only asked to travel half the distance they were traveling; We wanted to visit Roswell, NM.

We loaded up their pickup and started traveling up to eight times faster than we were used to. They bought us lunch and treats at a Mexican bakery We soon found out that the route we had chosen was barren of all water source, food source, and grounds for camp; Ranch land might have been desolation for almost two hundred miles. The ride was necessary.

They bought our motel room which allowed us to stay a day in the city and tour the National UFO Museum near the center of town. With the local area being steeped in extraterrestrial controversy we watched our backs and hesitated when sudden unearthly impulses beckoned us to stare at the sky. Touring the museum led to a revelation that not all fact has to be accountable for in this part of the desert.

We left the following day refreshed and well on our way through our eighteenth state. We were advised of the natural wonders and enchantment that were soon to follow as we traversed the barren desert plains leading up to the continental divide ranges and high altitude plains.