Day 306 May 31, 2017 Lordsburg to Rodeo, NM

I am having problems getting photos to upload. Hopefully< I will add them soon.   : )  

Sunrise in Lordsburg NM

Because we expected a headwind, we got our day underway by 7:30 AM. The directions were pretty simple. Take the entrance ramp to merge onto I-10, continue 17 miles to NM 80. Ride south on NM 80. The hotel will be on the left at mile 47.

We use secondary roads whenever possible, today it was not possible. There are no secondary roads that will get us from Lordsburg to NM 80 and Rodeo, NM. You might imagine riding on an interstate highway to be challenging to say the least, but it was not. New Mexico does not have a large population and thus the interstate was not very busy. Additionally, there was a wide shoulder so there was space between us and the 75+ mph traffic. We actually wished we could stay on the interstate longer! As it turned out, NM 80 was a pleasant road as well.

 All day we road between the Peloncillo and  Chiricahua mountain ranges in the Chiricahua Desert. The scenery was breathtaking. After a long climb, we stopped to take pictures at Granite Gap. The gap is absolutely breathtaking. We ended up spending 10 or 15 minutes just looking around trying to find the correct superlative to describe it. There are none. They all fall short. Weeks of climbing allowed us a view of the land below second to none. It took my breath away, not only for its beauty, but for the fact that all the effort gaining altitude over the last couple of weeks got us there. We earned the view.

 

John and I have fallen in love with these
Soap tree Yuccas. Their scent is lovely
 and the insects are mad for them.

Further on, we happened across the Chiricahua Desert Museum. Having made good time, we stopped to look around. Unlike the last desert museum we went to, this one focused on the animals. We knew the desert had rattlesnakes, but had no idea how many types there are. The museum had live examples of at least a dozen different rattlesnakes. They also had live lizards, turtles, and tortoises. Additionally, there were examples of anti-venom throughout time. It was an interesting time.

We stayed the night at the Mountain Valley Lodge and RV Park. It is like a small oasis in the desert. The grounds were landscaped with desert plants in bloom and filled with a wide variety of birds. Our cabin was a charming 2 bedroom cabin. In the morning, we were able to sit at the kitchen table chatting while we enjoyed our breakfast and coffee.

Soon we will head to Douglas, AZ, 47 miles away. More great views... and climbing. :)

Sunset in Rodeo NM.