Sorry we have not posted earlier but have been working hard. We start before 7:00 breakfast and end just before 9:00 bed/quiet time. We rode the first day; it was a nice day but became a little warm, mid 80’s. But we climbed 3,500 feet. I was happy. The riders are so excited they are fun to watch.
Today I am doing check in at the center of the world. I got to work out here. How many people can say they worked out at the center of the world or biked there for that matter? Rose got laundry duty but gets to ride out of Yuma tomorrow thru the Salad Bowl of our country.
The rider are just starting to ride on the worst road of the ride I think they will be surprised when I tell them the worst is still to come after lunch. One needs to look up center of the world to get a real feel for this place. I will attach some photo of here but cannot do it justice. I will also put some of the moon scape as Bubba calls it.
Rose: it was truly hard for me to mentally calculate the volume of laundry for 54 people for 3 days. Pictures would not adequately describe it. Some stats: 7 3’x2’x2’ bins, $80.00, 4 mega washers, 4 medium washers, 2 small washers, 300 or more individual socks to be matched into pairs. The good news was that we apparently only lost a few items. The better news was that the store was near a Starbucks and the 3 of us were in air conditioning while the riders were enduring rough roads and heat. Still, I am sorry I didn’t get back to see the Center of the World again. The place is so bizarre that it makes me wonder what I would do with millions of dollars of excess money. I can say I certainly appreciate his creativity but …
Great news for us, Joyce worked it out so John and I could ride together through the Imperial Valley. It was one of my favorite rides last year. Due to drought, there are not as many crops being harvested this year as last. Still, it was beautiful. The cloud cover made it difficult to photograph but great for comfortable riding.
The ride ended in Dateland, AZ, in the suburb of Bubbaville. Anne, the travelling chef, had stuffed pork loin, a chicken dish, quinoa/lentil dish, veggies, salad and cookies. That and a glass of wine was just the perfect ending to a great 70 mile ride.
This morning we awoke at 5:08 to an unfamiliar electronic alarm. What did we leave on? In which of 5 bags was it located? John and I stumbled around in the dark, tearing into bags to try to find the annoying source. Those of you who camp understand that 2 people cannot really move around simultaneously in a tent, especially in the dark. After several minutes of contortions that felt like the old game “Twister” we finally determined that it came from the next tent. Laughable learning experience. Don’t accidently hit “snooze” on the phone alarm and then leave the phone behind.
We spent the day working SAG stops and ended in Gila Bend AZ. In these remote “camper parks” we see and meet lots of retired folks who manage a good happy life while living very modestly. $120 per month in space rent, a few changes of clothes and a motor home or vehicle and camper and your set. Today ended with a simultaneous rainbow and desert sunset. A local geologist spoke with us about the Arizona geology, history, water, population, energy generation. Good day.
