By David Freeze

40 miles of steady climbing, the heat returns

  I found that first town that I really like at Salome. Very small, at less than 2,000 people, I had nice conversations and slept very well. Last night, Northern Arizona had solid coverage of big thunderstorms. I got caught out in it after a trip to the Family Dollar and the convenience store for pizza. Nice people all around, including at Sheffler’s Motel.

  This morning I was late by 30 minutes on riding at first light. That is my every day goal. The road was wet and had standing water, an oddity for this area. The first town was Wendell, and all the supply points were closed that were supposed to be open. The next town, Aguila , was supposed to be closed for the off-season and I worried about having enough water for the day’s ride. No other towns were on the route.

  I rode into Aguila and spotted a store with a vehicle parked in front, amazed to find it open. Not many supplies available, but I got extra water and a muffin. The 12 year old running the cash register counted out perfect change, something I saw the previous night in Salome. Very happy that I found an open store when under duress lost some  steam when I found yet another new Family Dollar on the other end of town. They are big stores and sell vegetables and produce.

    Lots of vultures were out and one picked up a snake off the road and flew off with it. Hay was being raked even though it had been rained on the night before.

  It was hot by 1pm and I couldn’t make Phoenix anyway, so I stopped for the day in Wickenberg. Wickenberg is rich in gold history, Indian conflicts and stage coach happenings. Population is around 7,000.

  I rode 55 miles on US 60, straight as an arrow. Nothing unusual, light traffic, but after climbing to about 3,000 feet yet again, I dropped back down to 2,200.

  Tomorrow is Phoenix and maybe something past it, with the heat burners back on. I’m grateful to have a mostly downhill ride but cycling through a big city is very challenging.

  Thanks to Frank and Janis Ramsey for sponsoring this ride, friends since I met them on the Alaska trip. Frank is from Salisbury, and he and Janis now have an apartment in Salisbury as well.

    Next week, I will finish off Arizona and get into New Mexico, were I will cross the Rockies. Can’t wait to be downhill toward Texas and the lower south. Keep riding along!