Susan and I crossed the border into Arizona yesterday and grabbed a room in Holbrook, AZ. Crossing the Mohave Desert stands of Joshua Trees lent strange shadows to the falling sun.
Today we visited the Triassic period Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert. I am too tired to get into details, but I highly recommend both if traveling through the area. The Petrified Forest was ravaged in the 20's by those pilfering souvenirs but President Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir were both advocates for national monument status and made it happen.
Why am I tired? Because Susan and I took our new training on the road, or rather off, and I rode myself right into the ground. Literally. We ran parallel to the Sitgreaves National Forest on a high altitude (6500 ft) dirt road giving access to cattle ranches and Elk. The day was warm at 50 degrees and thawing snow was making a mess. Mile after mile we traversed rutted, muddy narrow lanes crossed with cattle guards. This time it was my turn to be hosed down in a car wash at the end of the day.
Tomorrow we plan on heading into the Apache National Forest staying put on pavement, or
maybe not.
I am glad you don't do this when I am riding with you! But you had fun didn't you?
ReplyDeleteThis takes mud spa to a whole new level.
ReplyDeleteSM