Day 16 Moriarty,NM to Socorro,NM 112* miles 2500' climbing

Woke up to an amazing sunrise in Moriarty! It was the only thing 'beautiful" in that town/truck stop. We rolled out early with the intention of making short work of the 119* miles down to Socorro (*note the discrepancy between the published mileage and our final mileage for the day!). Today's route was relatively flat...with only 2500' of climbing. The first section was rolling hills and wide-open farm land. Craig, Chip and I went into Team Time-trial mode early. We were a good 3 miles off the front by Rest #1...and another mile or two further off the front by Rest #2 just on the outskirts of Mountainaire,NM. Unfortunately, about a mile past the stop we were held up (again) by road work. The signalman had already been informed to hold us until we were all together for an escort. We had worked our butts off to get out in front...we weren't thrilled to have to wait...and then get caught by the group. It was a tortuous wait of close to 40 minutes. We decided that if the State of New Mexico was going to take away our advantage...the State of New Mexico should help reinstate our lead! We noticed a Torrence County Outreach van with 3 school teachers aboard and sent Mr. Charisma (Chip) up to ask for a lift thru the road work site. We piled in just as the entire group rolled up next to the bus. I blew them all kisses as we rolled off down the road. The ladies dropped us almost exactly were we would have been had we not been held up. Plus, it was really fun talking with them. This area is extremely rural! They have to drive 35-50 miles to pick up some of the kids they teach. And, most these kids are very poor. Thanks for the lift ladies!

The route after lunch dropped down onto the vast New Mexico plains. We had a 14 miles section on I-25 that was covered in debris with plenty of the dreaded "gummies"! "Gummies" are cracks in the road that the DOT has filled with a sort of rubberized caulk. The problem is when the temperature is over 100 (as it was today) the "gummies" get really soft. If you aren't careful they can be very dangerous! After the interstate we toured the backroads into Socorro...not very attractive! I flatted from a steel-belted radial wire I'd picked up on the I-25 leg. We were glad to have the day behind us. Straight to BK for a milkshake...all is good!


















Last night's dinner of Steak and Enchiladas. We fight like wild dogs over the sopapilla's and honey!



















I had to find a way to use the word "beautiful" and "Moriarty,NM" in the same sentence!




















"da da dada da...da da!! Greeeeen Acres is the place to be. Faaarm livin' is the life for me" Land spreadin' out so far and wide...keep Manhattan just give me that country side"!




















"Hello, Prudential...I'd like to see that 5 billion acres of completely treeless prairie land you have listed outside beautiful Moriarty New Mexico!"



















probably looked like this 100 years ago!




















Team Time Trial...screaming across the prairie!




















rolling towards Mountainaire,NM




















the vast nothingness of the prairie




















Craig, Chip and me...taking the bus!


















The Outreach ladies! Thanks for the lift!




















dropping down into the plains of New Mexico





















rollin' towards Socorro




















last week...out of boredom...I started dragging my camera thru the wildflowers. Today, I drug it thru the wheat-like grasses.
Trying to stay in touch with my creativity!


















Cow? I didn't see a thing for 20 miles!




















today's team time-trial participants...Craig & Chip.

















folks out here in the west tend to save everything they've ever owned! Desert dwellers are a little odd.



















this road is actually part of the river. When it rains this section is completely under water. They just come thru and scrape away the mud...and the road is back in business. Glad it was dry today!




















NM 408...not the most scenic road we've traveled!