Half way and we're already on into New Mexico
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Back to Oklahoma:
Back to Kansas:
Back to Missouri:
Back to Illinois:
Back to Intro:
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This is where I talk about the dangers of the rookie move of blindly following your GPS...
I jumped down to the highway to get this Welcome to NM sign pic, then asked GPS how to get to Endee.
It took me up past a gas station and along a crazy dirt road, which ended at a field with a closed gate.
Why I mention this, is because I was cruising along the dirt road with my 1800cc featherweight bike at around 35mph, came over a rise and rode right in to deep sand. Yep. Sand. Anyone who's spent any time off road riding knows the fun sand presents to a front wheel if there's any weight on it.
Thankfully I had the presence of mind - or maybe just panicked and whiskeythrottled... it's anyone's guess really - but I gave it gas, got through and didn't dump the bike in the middle of an abandoned road's sandpit, miles from anyone who could possibly help get it back up.
Doesn't look like much in the picture, but that sand covered my boots when I walked back in it. Deep and fine. And out of nowhere.
Long story short, the GPS was taking me the complete wrong direction on the total opposite side of the highway.
But I'm kind of grateful, coz it gave me a fun story to bore you with here.
I took the road through Endee - (A dirt road, so not everyone's cup of tea. But it has some cool sights and was a novel ride which broke up the trip. Not to mention a small gold mine for classic car lovers.)
Tecolote - 19th Century Adobe Church
Pecos - Spanish Mission. Ruins and Pueblo Community
I was pretty gutted to expectantly ride through the rain to this, only to find it closed. It promised to be such a cool experience.
A random note. NM is fascinating in it's diversity. These two places could be right next door to one another. (They weren't. But they could be.)
Santa Fe - Plaze Area (La Fonda Hotel)
I'll be honest. I kind of got lost here. My brain had mostly quit functioning, at least on the frontal lobe, and I was just blundering around, needing food but feeling like I didn't have time to get any. (After I found a campsite on dusk, I found and ate street tacos. Totally worth blundering around for.)
Coronado Campground.
Day 8. Bernalillo to Red Rock Park. Around 170 Miles
Bernalillo
Corrales - Restored Spanish Colonial House (Ysidro Casa San) (A potential highlight, sadly closed for covid when I came by.)
Albuquerque - Kimo Theater.
Central Avenue.
Old Town.
Mesita - Owl Rock
Laguna - 1699 church?! (San Jose Mission)
(Photo courtesy https://missions.arizona.edu/node/55.)
Villa de Cubero Trading Post. I've met a lot of amazing people on this trip. The people who run this place are some of the top candidates! I'm so glad I chose to support this little local shop, rather than the huge gas station out on 44. Well worth the few extra cents in gas.
San Fidel - Not quite a ghost town, but close.
McCarty's. Santa Maria De Acoma church
One of the frustrating things of being short on time... Sometimes you just have to keep going if you've passed the turn off.
Grants - Mine Tour (Photo courtesy https://pinintheatlas.com/welcome/)
(I recommend El Ranchero Cafe for great Mexican food)
Bluewater - I just blew through here, but apparently there are some cool murals and a lake.
Continental Divide - 7,275 feet
Redrock Park & Campground
Not a bad way to end the day. An easy hike after the rain, which didn't take long barefoot - giving my feet a little break from boots and vibrations.
Gallup - Giant Kachina Doll
El Morro Theatre
And ride into the sunrise to Arizona.
Jump to Arizona Pt 2 (Grand Canyon):
Jump to California
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