Day 13, Thursday, 3/19/15, Douglas, AZ, (48º at 6:00 am) to, Rodeo, NM (61º at 3:00 pm) 59 miles, elevation changes: +1256/-1163.

I set out this morning in a light rain in Douglas, AZ and rode out of the rain after about a half hour. It was a very uneventful 59-mile day, cloudy and cool to the Painted Pony Resort just outside Rodeo, NM.

Highlights:

• I rode into New Mexico, my 3^rd state. I took a picture of the “Welcome to Arizona” sign so that I’d have a complete set since I missed doing that when I rode into Yuma.
• We began a long decent after 26 miles of uphill. I averaged 20 mph for a 15-mile stretch going downhill with the wind at my back. I loved it!
• AZ state route 80 that we rode on for all but three miles today was the most desolate road I have ever ridden on. There we times when no car came by for 10 minutes at a time.
• I rode by a plaque commemorating Geronimo, the last Apache chieftain.
• I made it to the Painted Pony Resort where we are staying before the big thunderstorm hit. I am sitting in the hanger where the men are staying with the rain beating down outside.
• I visited the Chiricahua Desert Museum in Rodeo about 5 miles before the resort. It has a live collection of every type of rattlesnake that exist.

 Tomorrow is a 95-mile day, my first ever to ride that far on Big Blue. “I think I can!”

 Pictures:

The type of view I had throughout the day traveling along AZ State Route 80.

I made it to New Mexico.

I had to add the welcome to Arizona sign that I missed when riding into Yuma.

Hanger at the Painted Pony Resort where I will sleep tonight. It was great to get there just before the thunderstorm hit.

Plaque commemorating Geronimo.

Pretty ground cover yellow flowers coming out on the prairie floor.

Make it a great day!

John