I'm sorry to report that we've had poor internet and server connections the past three days and so have not been able to get daily reports out for everyone. Even here in El Paso - yes! we made it! - the connection varies. Just when I get photos attached and report ready to send, the connection fails and everything disappears.
So, instead of knocking my head against the technology wall, I'll give you the crib notes and call it good. We all arrived safely in El Paso late this morning March 22. Hugging and celebration was the order of the day, then feasting on all the left-over sag food, packing bikes into the truck, hanging out by the pool, and readying ourselves for the journey home.
After our rest day in Silver City, we climbed to the most spectacular view and highest point on our route: Emory Pass at 8,228 ft where we ate a relaxed lunch and gazed off toward the Rio Grande Valley. After lunch, we buckled our seat belts and flew 8 miles down the mountain to the historic silver camp of Kingston which is now a tiny rural neighborhood best known as the home of the "Spit and Whittling Club". Rather than spitting or whittling, though, we had a lovely meal and then let our Sag Queen, the Texas Tornado, Carol Nies take our extra dollars in a lively game of Left-Right-Center. I never knew cyclists were such avid gamblers!
The next day we continued our flight down the foothills to the floor of the Rio Grande River. From there, it was rider choo-choo train time for 60 more miles into Las Cruces for the night, and another 55 miles in El Paso the next day. As one rider said "it's too bad this is over, today was the first day I wasn't sore in the morning."
Jerry and Steve: you're great! Andy Anderson was our main photographer with contributions from Alan Church and Carol Nies (who is still walking around with her winnings in a grocery sack). Thanks. Several people commented on how well this group got on. I agree. We developed a commaraderie that was uplifting and easy.
Onward to next year. Signing off - and sorry about the technical difficulties these past few days. --Julia Brown