| Cross-Country Ramble 12:
Attitude Sent: 96-04-24 02:10:13 EDT
April 23, 1996
Apache Junction, AZ
We left Phoenix this morning, sent off by friends as if we had
been visiting dignitaries. It was already warm at 8:00 a.m. The city
traffic was heavy. We diverted ourselves onto bike paths, wide
sidewalks or access roads whenever possible. On a bicycle path we
rode past a stream of Palo Verde trees. This is the end of their
blooming season. The ground under them looked like a yellow circular
carpets. Ken's shoulder brushed some of them when he rode past,
causing a cascade of yellow snowflakes.
The bike path ended abruptly. We pushed our bikes back out into
the traffic until we turned onto an access road that suddenly turned
into a construction site. We biked past backhoes, front loaders,
over small mounds of dirt and a through a slightly flooded street. I
thought as I pedaled, "On a trip like this I never know what
adventures will greet me."
On the next access road, Ken and I pedaled past soft, desert
plants that separated us from the noisy traffic. The sun was higher
and the air warmer. My bike seemed to bump loudly over every little
bump. Finally, I got off to see what was wrong. The back wheel was
flat. We found shade, Ken changed my tire for me and off we went.
Now, my bicycle was difficult to steer. I asked Ken to look at it.
He said my front tire was flat. This time a huge light pole provided
a tiny piece of shade while Ken fixed my flat again. We commented to
each other how it was good to take a break from the heat. I wondered
what would happen next. I didn't have to wonder long. I had another
flat. We had another break. The culprits were thorns from those
wonderful desert trees I'd admired. I must have run across a million
of them.
At lunch I commented to Ken how I looked forward to what was
going to happen next. Everything seemed fun and challenging. Now,
why don't I take that attitude all the time?
Carol
Itinerary:
- Day 20: Wickenburg, AZ
- Days 21-23: Phoenix, AZ
- Day 24: Apache Junction, AZ
We expect to be in El Paso, TX by May 9, after biking through
Superior, Globe, Ft. Thomas and Safford in Arizona and Buckhorn,
Silver City, Hillsboro, Hatch and Las Cruces in New Mexico.
next ramble.... |