Day 14: Just another day on the road

Safford, AZ to Lordsburg, NM
Date: 01/15/2013
Distance traveled: 73.45 miles (742.9 miles total)
GPS tracks: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/262724619

I started the day yesterday with a great breakfast prepared by Gene Robert & Joy – very good waffles and bacon, and plenty of it! I simply could not believe how big and awesome their family is. Did I mention that Gene Robert and Joyce have 6 kids, 26 grandchildren, and 54 great-grandchildren!! Talk about a legacy! Wow.

Me, Gene Robert & Joyce

Pro Tip: If you’re a coffee drinker and going to be staying with families in this area of the country you should bring your own coffee. Members of the Mormon church are not likely to be slaves to the bean. I’ve discovered that the Folgers Black Silk (a knockoff of Starbucks Via) is very good and strong coffee at half the cost of the Via.

Ashley, myself, and Chase.

Chase, Ashley and I said goodbye and got on the road around 10am. As we expected, we all travel at different speeds so I chose to part ways with them early in the day. Chase road along with me for the first 35 miles of the day, and then stopped to spend the night in the adorable little town of Duncan, AZ. I stopped at the 3 Sisters Bakery for a cinnamon roll, had lunch with Chase, and then we parted ways. If you get a chance to stay at the Simpson Hotel Bed and Breakfast, you absolutely should. I was jealous of their accommodations for the night… but I had to keep on my schedule, (un)fortunately.

Chase climbing up one of our long, gradual hills of the day.

The best parts of today’s ride were that (1) I got into a new state and (2) we were honked at and waved at by many (over 10 for me) encouraging drivers. Lots of thumbs ups, “guy head nods”, waves, etc. It’s so so so nice to have that positive energy coming your way in comparison to how some days have gone. I think I may like New Mexico.

Enchanted.

Lots of wide open spaces today.

I am really not sure what is so “scenic” about these historical markers.