Text after pictures this time. Not sure how, but...
Note of correction. I mentioned that I didn't remember crossing a river with water before the Gila, well there is that little thing called the Colorado River that we wandered across. There, correction made.
Started today from Silver City, elevation at 6,000 ft and very dry. When the sun goes down, the jackets go on and when camping, the mornings in the 30s make for shivering a risings. As yesterday was a rest day, the legs appeared fresher today and we were off to what seems to all to be the best day yet.
Note. We were looking at reduced mileage for the day, as we wanted to allow time to tour the cliff dwellings and that helps, but still had the promise to be a challenging day. It turned out to be THE PERFECT DAY!
Another note, one of our riding friends, Candy from Canada, had a birthday today. She turned 73. She is amazing. Knocking out the miles, her third cross country trip, first on the southern route. HB Candy.
So what made today the best, perfect. The temps were incredible. Beautiful, clear, pristine skies allowed abundant sunshine. The sun was warm on the climbs, the descents a hair cool. Perfect.
The climbs were significant, up and over the continental divide, 7100 ft and then another that was higher. I think the highest climb got to 7800 ft., but great in between downhills, not killer grades and a great road surface. Little traffic as we were going to the Gila Cliff Dwelling NM, in a wilderness area, real remote. If you were there, you were among the few....
Two other aspects set the trip in the perfect category. The vistas were vast and far reaching in places. At one time we were actually looking down into the remnants of two super volcanoes, combined to total around 25 miles across. Each about 1000 times the force and power of Mt St Helens.
The forests though were special. Pine and cedar, dense and ongoing for miles. BUT, the ultimate add on not felt on this trip was the smell of the Forest. Pine scent. Incredible.
I have often noted that biking is special because it engages all of your senses of perception. Sight, sounds, feeling (pain is feeling), but today, the smell of the Forest was the best.
We finished the riding portion of the day, went to the a Wilderness a Lodge at the NM area and toured the monument. Lots of pictures!,
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