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Day 11-Safford

 It was another beautiful sunny day with bluebird skies and a big puffy clouds. We had 79 miles ahead of us, which was actually shortened by mutiny amongst us riders. We requested hotel accommodations in Safford rather than an additional 6 miles out to a state park, and a 6 mile return in the morning. This would have meant back to back 84 mile days. We said no thanks and plans were changed.

Today’s route took us out route 70 E. The first 20 miles was pretty much downhill and passed quickly. We took a quick break at mile eight to get snacks at the Apache market. We met Hersom, and Apache men who chatted with us and gave us a blessing. Much of a ride was through the San Carlos Apache Indian reservation. He said we were welcome here.


Route  70 is rolling and except for the traffic was quite enjoyable. The scenery was as usual beautiful. More and more often there are large hills in the middle of deserts that just poke up. The mountains are constant on both sides of the road, in the distance. Mount Turnbill, near the town of Vilas is 8284 feet tall.

We stopped for a quick lunch and got back on the road. That Apache blessing worked its magic when a semi decided to pass a row of cars, and a fire truck, down a hill, as we were coming up. We had to move off the road and off the bikes in order to avoid being flattened. We were grateful to remain safe.


79 miles is a long way so we stopped in Fort Thomas at Meg’s place and establishment run by a woman with down syndrome. We had the best cookies ever — chocolate chips, pretzel bits, and salted caramel. That put me over the finish line!


A pending storm also motivated us to move smartly, but I still took the time to take a picture of the sign that said a portion of the highway had been adopted by the peyote way church of God. Some thing for everyone out here.

Things I learned today:
They grow cotton in Arizona. Pima is one of the towns it grows in.
Arizona drivers are impatient.

Comments

  1. I continue to learn a lot with you. I looked up Meg's Place. Loved it! I also looked up the Peyote Way Church of God. Interesting. Glad you are safe and sound. Hooray to the rider mutiny. Debbie

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