Day 10

Willcox, AZ to Lordsburg, NM - 75 miles

Pretty flat terrain between 4,100 and 4,300ft elevation all day.

It wasn't until today on this trip that I really recaptured the bike tour wonder.  

I started pedaling at 7:15, just before the sun started warming the 30 degree air.  The gloves purchased at the dollar store turned out to be a good investment.  Very little wind to speak of - a stark contrast to yesterday.  With sweatpants, long sleeves, and gloves, it actually was pretty nice.  The flat terrain was even nicer.  I made great progress across the high desert of southeastern Arizona.  

The best feeling is looking out miles ahead of you from the top of a small ridge.  Snow covered mountain peaks lurking to both the left and the right, but not ahead.  Just a straight, flat road.  No houses, no towns, no services for as far as you can see.  

The sense of awe has once again been found.

I passed a number of lunch opportunities - dead foxes and owls along the road today.  

For some real food, I thought of my mom when passing large stretches of pecan trees.  She really likes pecans.

Dust storms are a big deal out here.  There are signs everywhere warning about them.  With the rain yesterday and little wind today though, I didn't have to hold my breath.  The air quality was actually quite good today.  Probably the best so far on the trip.

Made it to New Mexico.  I was not enchanted by the first 15 miles of I-10 road shoulder in New Mexico, but the DOT stepped up their game starting at mile marker 15.

It would have been nice to go another 20 or 30 miles today, but then I would've been 20 or 30 miles from civilization.  Nothing out there.  

An overall nice day.  I'll hope for more.