After a hard day...Starry, Starry Night

I did not think I would get this chance to write...last night when I arrived at camp I was not sure I would make it to morning. Naw-- I'm fine....but it is an an exhaustion like nothing I have ever felt before. One night I laid down to sleep and I was too tired to take my glasses off. But you know me...I hate to miss anything, so in a short time I was enjoying helping the group get our evening meal ready. Many of you wonder about the food --yep-it's true ...the carbs are plentiful...but still I miss my salads. Two "cooks" and 2 "helpers" are assigned each day, but of course many in the group come to help the cook crew if they have no bike repairs and their tent is set up. Sometime at the end of the day we purchase that night's dinner and the next mornings breakfast and lunch. At breakfast we prepare our lunch and depending on the length of that day's ride it is a 3 sandwich day or a two sandwich day --we get 1 or 2 pieces of fruit--and 3 cookies or trail mix . My love of peanut butter is great, because for the last few years I have had to limit it so much. We carry 3 big pots and 2 small ones and whatever you think of to cook has to be done with that. Pasta, rice, with some meat and veggies just about sums it up. We have some spices, but we have to be careful since everything left over has to be carried forward.

Enough on meals -- the stars are beyond description when we are in these small towns. Last night we camped at Superior, Arizona....today Globe Arizona...and then on to Safford, which is a 79 mile day.

Yesterday was a tough day --a huge mountain pass to get through and lots of construction going on. Just getting out the Phoenix/Tempe area was a 30 mile day. Well--I did it ,but not without a bit of a cry. Honestly this type of exhaustion (and I needed to eat something probably) brings you to a fairly emotional level. What a sight --me riding up this big mountain pass in tears-- really -a couple of the construction workers looked like they were ready to leave their post and give me a ride ...It all ends up making me laugh and my mini breakdowns are very mini --so don't worry! At one point Andy rode up and said, "why are you crying, you did it, you're only 10 miles from town. I had to laugh...10 more miles- after 50 grueling ones is just too funny!

Yesterday was Nick's birthday. He is our second youngest rider at 43. Doug's favorite saying is,"It's all good" --so--the goofy bunch that we are made it our job to say that as much as possible yesterday. Corny I know -- but we thought we were so funny...again, I blame the exhaustion. No cake, but we did have a pack of Oreo's to celebrate! He is a great guy from California...and loves touring. He takes every opportunity he has to go to a museum or art gallery....or stop and take a cool picture.

This is rattlesnake country and you have to be very careful --especially this time of year. We are in Globe, Arizona camped at a cool community center. Our colorful tents are all pitched on a grassy area in front of the center. Looks like nice showers are in order tonight! Tomorrow is 79 miles, so I am already mentally preparing myself for this journey. It is such a beautiful area--we are at about 3000 to 4000 feet in elevation and climbing. The sky is big and blue today and I didn't think this town would have a library that I could ride to, but Jan and Shiryl and I all rode back in to town to explore a bit. We are now 3 days away from New Mexico.After tomorrow's big ride we will be in Stafford, Arizona --just off of route 70.

The owner of last night's campground lost a son (Luke) and she and I were talking about this loss and I told her about Ty. Her son was killed by a drunk driver. I showed her my little tiny photo's I carry on a chain that Maryann Reiger made me and "Anonymous" paid for. They are very special, and I love having them with me. Thankyou Anonymous (whoever you are).. it is a gift that I treasure.

Last night was very cold --once the sun goes down the temperature drops quickly. I love sleeping in this weather. My chain broke yesterday and a sweet guy named Doug helped me put on my handy little replacement link which I had luckily just bought at the last bike shop we were at. Doug's bike is black and so are his panniers --I threatened to make him listen to Johnny Cash songs on my ipod as a thankyou for helping me with my chain. He is a mountain biker mostly I think...but is loving this type of bike touring. The guys play a game where they hide a door knob they found on the side of the road in each others gear...so someone at the end of the day finds they have been packing this stupid doorknob. We girls have threatened their lives if they try to involve us and so far they have repected the warning.

Back to the community center now-- nice grass to set the many colorful tents up on. We look like a traveling circus of sorts...and at moments thats how it feels. We can still often hear coyotes at night and soon we will be in "wild pig" country. They are called havalinas I believe. I have to go love ,Dee (my time is up again!!!)