Small Map Problem

Google Maps only allows so many icons per map, so I have split the trip into sections.  A general view of the trip can be viewed at the top of the blog, and details can be viewed in the maps at the right.  There is a link to open them into larger maps..

February 16: Globe - Pima, AZ

Flat tires have caught up with us! Andy got his first flat about seven miles east of Globe... and I got my first at the Sunrise Cafe, in Pima (a convenient spot for a flat tire, for sure). Andy enjoyed his pancakes while I fixed my flat. We met another cyclist, John, at a campground in Superior, who is following the same route we are. We've been riding together, and enjoying each others stories, for the past two days. We are all starting to get some WEIRD tan lines!

February 15: Globe, AZ

We met up with Andy's longtime friend Matt, who was visiting Phoenix for work. Together we drove to the city of Globe, where we walked around Besh-Ba-Gowah. Besh-Ba-gowah is an ancient 200-room pueblo built by the Salada people 700 years ago. Archaeologists have been working to unearth, stabilize and reconstruct the pueblo. It is built of stones glued together with mud. People entered the rooms by ladders, through holes in the ceiling. Some of the rooms were 3 stories high, though most were smaller 1-story rooms used for storage. The pueblo also included ceremonial rooms, a garden area, and several outdoor patios.

February13: Phoenix, AZ

We took a day off from cycling to explore the city of Phoenix. We visited the Heard Museum, home to an extensive collection of Native American artifacts and modern-day reinterpretations by native artists. We learned a lot about how native peoples survived in the dry desert and rugged mountain regions that we are now cycling through. We also visited "Tacos de Juarez" Mexican restaurant - home of, in Andy's words, "The best Taco ever." We sampled a number of new-to-us Mexican sweets - coconut cookies, milk candy, candied squash and candied sweet potatoes.

February 10: Wickenburg, AZ

Spent a day mostly off-the-bike near the "Old West" town of Wickenburg at Vulture Mine. Vulture Mine is a gold mine, discovered by Henry Wickenburg (founder of the town of Wickenburg) and his mule in 1863. Legend has it that Henry picked up a rock and threw it at his mule, but, being heavy with gold, the rock fell short of its mark. Wickenburg is also home to the Hassayampa River - "Those who drink its waters will never tell the truth again." There was no water in the Hassayampa River bed, so Andy and I remain honest.

Feb.8: Quartzsite, AZ

We were greeted by huge Saguaro Cacti, sillouetted on the hillsides and adorning the highway median upon entering the state of Arizona. We camped in the desert near Quartzsite beneath a one-armed giant...

Feb. 7: Glamis, CA

Cycled through the Imperial Sand Dunes near Glamis, CA. Sand, sand and more sand... a very foreign landscape, coming from upstate New York!

Feb 6: Jacumba, CA

We skirted the Mexican border near the village of Jacumba. Border patrol appears to look us over as we cross the Tecate Divide. I hadn't realized how fortified the Mexican border is!

Feb 5: Live Oak Springs, CA

Still climbing through the mountains... We met a cyclist as we climbed who told us of a bicycle race in Live Oak Springs / Boulevard that day (Saturday). Andy and I laughed about how funny it would be to turn a corner and find ourselves caught up in the racer pack. A couple of miles later, we turned a corner and found ourselves - really! - caught up in the pack! The spectators cheered us on and took pictures as we pedaled up the six-mile hill to Live Oak Springs campground. We both crossed the finish line in good time, then looked for the free food tent (no luck!)

Feb 4: Starting out

Friday, February 4: We began our ride at Dog Park, in Ocean Beach, CA. After dipping our rear wheels in the Pacific Ocean (and soaking our feet in the process!) we headed east through the city of San Diego. We followed bike paths and highways through Santee to Lakeside, where we started a long climb up Olde Highway 80 to Alpine. We camped for the night on the Viejas Indian Reservation. More climbing today...