Van Horn, TX to Tucson, AZ
445 miles
Woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the mountains - and a weather forecast that said rain and 45 mph winds! That's no fun on a bike.
Fortunately, the weatherman was wrong (there's a surprise!) and I cruised into El Paso under blue skies. El Paso is huge. I mean, HUGE. One minute I'm looking left and right and seeing nothing but desert scrub for as far as they eye can see, then WHAM! All of a sudden, there is nothing but commerce and housing all the way to the horizon.
I took a little detour to see if I could find a quiet border crossing -- after all, when this close to Mexico, it would be a shame not to pop in and say "Hola!" but I got lost and gave up after a man with two pet geese pointed me in the direction of an unfinished bridge.
Crossed into New Mexico right after El Paso and stopped off for a quick bite in Lordsburg, where I met a couple who proved that some financial decisions are emotional rather than logical. They were moving back to California from Massachusetts where, they tell me, it will be more expensive for them to live, but they will be nearer their family. There is definitely a value in feeling good.
Just when I thought I'd escaped the promise of bad weather from this morning, the skies opened up as I rolled into Arizona. Of all places to get rained on, I get it in the desert! Oh, well. I'll bet the people around here are grateful for a little water from above. They're welcome to it. It's no fun riding when your visor is all steamed up.
I hope to ride through the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation tomorrow (weather permitting) and, after three days of emptiness all around, I am looking forward to a bit of variety in the scenery.
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