Chama was at 7800'...the highest we've stayed during the trip. Espanola is at 5800'....and I can already tell the difference.
The last few days of climbing it's been hard to drink as every sip means a missed breath. One missed breath at 9000+' feels like you've held your breath for 2 minutes! Take a long sip and you almost pass out!
The day started with bacon and eggs in the parking lot. It's a bit like musical chairs. Everyone lingers about trying to look disinterested...until Sue announces breakfast is open. Then it's an "every man for himself" scramble to get to the food.
Today's route was a straight shot down to Espanola...downhill most of the way with a much deserved tailwind! Chip, Craig and I made easy work of it today. Craig hammers the downhills...Chip hammers the long climbs...and I keep us moving on the flats! We're a good team!
We're working from the Cyber Cafe across from the hotel...so tonight is a short version. Off to Moriarty, NM tomorrow where I will intersect the route I took during last year's LA to Boston trip. Should be a nice day!
Dining options are pretty limited in Chama....this one was closed!
this one too....
And the winner is....High Country Restaurant. Great fajitas and salsa so hot it would remove chrome from a trailer hitch! I put some on the first fajita and the heat lasted well into the third!
If "TG" had been open...I'd have gotten a cut!
Sunset thru a Chama dust cloud!
Craig begins the long roll down to Espanola. With a light tailwind and only a few short hills it was a super easy day. We earned it!
Butte or Mesa? We're checking Wikipedia...stay tuned!
Great road all the way to Espanola
another infinity road!
looking back at Craig.
Pretty spectacular scenery today!
looking back at Chip. He's begging me to slow down...yeah, right!!!
rolling along the Rio Chama River which flows into the Rio Grande River...all the way down to El Paso!
fill those water bottle up boys....."U-Famous"!!!
pepper wreaths at the local market in Espanola
The CyberCafe Rats!
5 comments:
Nothing like being in good enough shape to call an 82 mile day, with 2300' feet of climbing, EASY.
All the best,
The Starr's
D.R. When you cross the 'Fast America' course could you shout out a 'Sho Am Good' for I-man, Judd and myself?
Rob
The pictures are so great, David. I hope you are also having the time of your life as you give us all the feeling of "being there with you"!!! Enjoy!
fabulous photographs...
love how the landscape is starting to warm with brick, and browns.
xoxo...
Smiles, be happy, have fun, be safe...Enjoy the day!
Ditto what Mike said. You da man! Just like Lance too when he told Chechu Rubiera (or another Postie...CRS disease strikes again), "I was beggin' him to slow down" on one of the Alp climbs. That's what Craig and Chip are saying to you!
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