Again, the days plans were reorganized over breakfast. Silver City was still under threat of precipitation so we chose a ride back towards Roswell on Hwy 70, one of New Mexico's Scenic Byways. Snow may lie on the roadsides, but Accuweather (an oxymoron we are learning) called for clear skies.
First, we stopped at White Sands National Monument: A high elevation desert formed inch by inch by gypsum particles. Since our riding suits make us look like snowmobilers we felt right at home. Our brains kept telling us, "Careful! Snow!" yet we rode solid on a sticky sand surface.
Later deciding against the lower elevations of Hwy 70, we turned off in Alamogordo heading west on Hwy 82. The Sacramento Mountains' roads were stupendous with gentle curves, a tunnel and minimal traffic until the temperatures dropped and elevations rose. At 8400 ft. snow filled the roadside leaving no turnoff. Arriving in Cloudcroft at 8650 ft. we pulled into a gas station and I promptly lost my bike to the slushy snow. My motorcycle slipped out from under me and tossed me into a Chevron pump. The station was packed with people eager to fill up before the impending storm: A storm we knew nothing about because Accuweather missed it completely 2 hours before. Susan helped me lift my bike, Charlie chatted up a local who recommended heading from whence we came. Good advice it turns out. Temps dropped to freezing and it began to snow in minutes. Snow plows idled roadside, big orange sentries ready for battle.
Arriving back to our now familiar La Quinta on Avenida de La Mesilla we loaded up the bikes for our morning drive to Tucson. First stop is two new tires for Susan. Charlie encouraged us to intentionally pierce one of her tires so we could practice with our plugging kit. Next a valve job.
Before heading out for dinner we went in search of a sculpture spotted off I-10 the day before. We discovered a roadrunner fashioned from reclaimed materials. The huge bird stands high above Las Cruces seeming to watch the sunset each evening. Susan and I glanced at each other knowing we shared the same thought...a flying pig.
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