Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Day 11, Tuesday, 3/17/15, southern Tucson, AZ, (61º at 5:15 am) to, Tombstone, AZ (74º at 3:00 pm) 73 miles, elevation change: +3812/-2454.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Another beautiful day in AZ. We had breakfast an hour early today because of the longer 73 mile day and the 3812 feet of elevation gain of which most took place in the first 25 miles and the last 6 miles. Yesterday was a 28-turn day; today was a 6-turn day that counts the left turn going out of the RV park in the morning (I left at 7:15 am) in Tucson and the right turn into the Landmark Lookout Lodge Hotel (I arrived at 2:40pm) where we are tonight. We rode for long stretches south, then east, then south, and finally east. The wind was insignificant today that helped my average speed to be higher than yesterday.

Highlights:
·      Leaving the Tucson dessert riding up through Coronado National Forest and riding down into the prairie and the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area heading for Tombstone. Pictures below.
·      Our highest elevation today was 4820 feet above sea level. We’re getting closer to the highest elevation of the trip.
·      Another day of challenging elevation gain, 3812 ft.
·      The Tombstone gunfight at the OK Corral that we went to before dinner, basically a slapstick comedy of a cowboy gunfight. Of course, the good guy, the sheriff, won.

The last view looking back toward Tucson.


The first view looking toward Tombstone. See how different the prairie landscape is as compared to the dessert cactus landscape. This change literally took place in a two-mile stretch.


After lunch, looking west, looking north and looking south, respectively. I hope I'm not boring you too much with these pictures.




The billboard advertising the Tombstone gunfight we went to.


The view from the my room at the Landmark Lookout Lodge Hotel in Tombstone. This part of the US is truly gorgeous. It is really easy for me to see riding Big Blue sitting up as I am as compared to being on a drop handle bar bike. Another advantage for a recumbent.



Make it a great day!


John

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