ARIZONA! Mountain Time

Hi everyone,

We are in an RV park in Aguila, pronounced ah-(hard "g")gee-lah, population 600.  I never knew that so many people had permanent residences in RV parks.  All of the ones we have been in except in San Diego have large sections of permanent mobile homes.  This one doesn't seem to have any kids around, but the others have, with school bus stops and everything.  There are some pretty interesting set-ups, as you can imagine.  This one seems to have a lot of unoccupied ones at present.  We are happy if they have showers and bathrooms!

This was an 80 plus mile day for the guys with lots of uphill going.  They did well.  Mike told us at supper that he found himself falling asleep while following Dave the last 15 miles or so.  He said that he was staring at Dave's spokes and the next thing he knew he was almost on top of Dave's bike.  It really surprised him.

This morning after the guys left Paula and I went into Blythe and stopped at the hardware store before getting on the road.  We met up with them in Quartzite.  they felt that we should go into the RV place there and get the steps repaired.  They went with us and the guy said that he could get to it in an hour and the work would probably take a half hour.  With that Dave and Mike took off.  Paula and I were there for over 2 hours, the repairman had a terrible time just getting under the motorhome to get started and kept coming up cursing because one thing or another wasn't going right.  However, the steps are now working and we keep stumbling into them since we are used to jumping down to get out and standing close to the door and pulling up on the railing to get in!  Here in Quartzite Paula and I also met a cute, toy poodle puppy named Max.  He travels with his owner in a big semi or on a Harley.

We met in Hope, AZ for lunch.  After they took off again, Paula and I walked across the highway to a lovely little restaurant and had a dish of ice cream.  

Another character that we have met is Rags, a man of undistinguishable age, riding on the same route we are, but with 80 lbs. of gear on the bike as well.  He is alone and is heading for Georgia.  He told Mike that he did this trip last year as well.  He left San Diego the same day we did.  He rides up to 150 miles a day and just plops down on the side of the road or hops a fence into an RV park when he gets tired.

Paula and I arrived here at about 4:30 and Dave and Mike arrived around 5:15.  We have traveled 326 miles so far.

More uphill tomorrow before we drop down into Phoenix.  I would love to go to a Cubs game in Mesa if there is one on.  We shall see.

Goodnight, and love and thanks for all your prayers and thoughts,

Lana

Last California stop--Blythe

Hi from Blythe,

Well, here we are in a nice KOA Campground on the Colorado River on the California side.  This is our last stop in CA.  The bridge into AZ is right outside the campground boundaries.

We have had a delicious chicken, rice and Asian salad dinner and showers are in order now.  Dave and Mike biked 100 miles today and were in the campsite by 5:15.  They left our campsite in El Centro this morning at 7:10.  We met for lunch in Glamis, a non-town in the sand dunes.  We are told that there are upwards of 20,000 people there on certain weekends during the year to ride dune buggies and party.  the only "buildings" there are white tents (looks like the Denver airport, but smaller) except for an auto repair place.

Hope you enjoy the following story demonstrating my brilliance.  Paula and I made a stop early in the day in Brawley after the guys were on their way.  We pulled into a nice shopping area which included both a grocery and a hardware store.  I had been asked to pick up a couple of items at the hardware store.  Paula went to the grocery store and I went toward the hardware store.  When I went to go in, the doors wouldn't swing open.  I backed up and tried again.  Nothing.  I checked the opening time and it was well after that.  Then a man came through the exit doors with no problem and carrying a purchase.  I kept thinking that maybe I would just wait until someone else came and follow them in.  Suddenly it dawned on me.  It was not an automatic door!!!  I had to push the door to enter!!!  Thank you, Lord, that no one came along that I could ask how to work the door!!!

Another funny story:  After Glamis we planned to stop and wait for the guys to meet us in Palo Verde to check on their condition because it would still be 20 miles to Blythe.  We stopped in the parking lot of a bar and grill--used the bathroom and bought a coke.  Our phones were not working so we couldn't call and were getting concerned that they were taking a long time getting there.  Dave finally called and it went through.  I thought he said that they were coming in to Palo Verde after taking a 20  min.  break so we went out to the road to watch them come in.  They didn't come (it should have taken about 3 minutes).  Finally, as we were looking down the street, they pulled out of a gas station 1 block away from where we were parked.  They had been there for half an hour resting and having a cold drink.  What Dave thought he said to me on the phone was that they were in Palo Verde, had been there for about a half hour and were going to start out again. Communication breakdown!

They were ready to complete the trip to Blythe, they said, so we drove on, found the campground and waited again.  We started supper and they arrived.

Showers and laundry tonight and to bed early.  Tomorrow's ride has some stiff uphill sections but isn't as long milewise.  

It is wonderful to read your responses and get your encouraging words.  Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

Love and blessings,

Lana

In the desert

Hi Everyone,

Well, tonight we have two tired bikers.  The ascent out of Pine Valley this AM was a killer.  We were to meet them for a mid-morning snack in Boulevard, CA.  We waited until 11:30 before they showed up.  Not only was it steep but they had a head wind as well.  The plan from there was to meet at Ocotillo and regroup.  It was downhill and they were really flying.  We were now on the desert and on the way to El Centro which is below sea level.  Now the plan was to get to El Centro, 14 miles before the goal for the day and see if they could go on.  Paula and I got to El Centro and after one false start found the RV park, pulled in and got the rig into a spot.  That is a real trick, but there were a few empty spots in a row which helped in our maneuvering.  We arrived at about 3:15 and then waited.  the guys finally showed up at 5:30.  They were very sore after traveling on a bumpy road for about 20 miles.  the decision was made not to go on to Brawley so now we are 14 miles behind schedule.  

The scenery is very bleak--lots of rocks, sagebrush and little else.  We are and have been very close to the Mexico border and every other vehicle is Border Police.  Paula and I went through a check point today but did not have to stop.

This RV park is not as nice as the one in San Diego.  There are quite a lot of permanent residents and we are very close to Interstate 8.  There are not many trees and the spots are very close together.  We are glad that it is not full and were given some breathing space. 

It is so encouraging to read your emails and we appreciate your prayers and concern.  Thanks so much to those who have been able to contribute monetarily to the cause.  There seems to be something unexpected every day which adds to the stress in some ways but keeps it interesting.  this is a part of the country I have never seen before and, in its own way, it is beautiful.  

We are tired tonight.  There is a full moon and Mike is sitting outside in a lawn chair taking it all in.  Wonder if he still thinks this is a good idea?!?  

Goodnight all.

Love and blessings,

Lana