And then the wind...it was to be the beginning of a very difficult part of the journey for Greg...I don't know how he even rode in this! There would just be gusts of wind that would blow sand from the dune areas and dirt from the farm areas...I had to drive slow even with this huge RV!
After a few hours of riding he decided to stop and would pick up again tomorrow.
As we both began our ascent the next day, into the mountains, we began to see PERMANENT signs saying, for example, "High Winds - next 49 miles"...yeah, this was going to be tough...it was no surprise to see these...everywhere...
Greg really wanted to push and go as far as he could. We met up at one exit ramp area where he took a breather before moving on...
He told me about a man he met along the way, Gordon, also riding a bicycle along these roads. But Gordon wasn't doing this for sport. This was his life. He rides through these windy areas and stays wherever he can find refuge. Greg gave him the only money he had with him, and Gordon said it would be enough to get food for an entire week...it was only ten dollars. It's very sad, and humbling to know that people are out there barely existing and yet they survive and press on. Gives me pause to think, how can I ever complain about anything?
The mountains began to get more intense...we began to see pull-off spots (for cars and trucks) that had water for radiator overheating, and emergency phones - every half mile...it was steep and very windy (35-40 mile gusts)...Greg rode an average of 5 mph.
In the morning, when Greg tried to start the generator, so we could turn the fridge back on, it wouldn't start. The water in the batteries was almost gone. The container of distilled water we have, had leaked so there was very little to use. He tried other ways to start it and finally got it going.
This day was more pleasant, the winds were less intense. We headed back to the place he ended last night. This area is amazing...it's as if God took a pile of rocks in His hand and poured them like a topping onto the mountains...
As I was heading back I saw this tower up on the hill - thought it was someone's cool home.
Then I see something else and could NOT resist finding how to get over to it. Got off the interstate and back tracked along a narrow road...to this!
On the way to the UFOs, I see a sign for the tower...
I'm looking out at the road...and see...Greg!
The search then began for a bike shop. One was listed in Pine Valley...gone. One was listed in Alpine...gone. But they did have a food store so we were able to buy two gallons of distilled water! Next stop - San Diego! Found a great bike shop there!
Todd helped us out. First he had people calling other bike shops looking for a replacement, just in case. Nothing. Then he went to work cleaning it and fixing it. Apparently the dust storms in Kansas started the problem and the dust storms he just went through, finished it!
Well, within a half hour, Todd had saved the day! And the gear should be okay for the rest of the trip. Plus it only cost us $10...which was just great!
We were heading back east and realized even though it was late in the day, we could both go to the tower! So we had about an hour or so until they closed to explore and have fun!
On the road...couldn't catch up to it to take a side view...
It was getting dark and we still wanted to explore the boulder park, so the owner said he'd keep the store open and we could shop afterwards! Yay!
And to top off the night...
Next day's journey...
As I'm driving down the road looking at the side of this mountain..I see two dark holes...
...the square-ish one definitely looks man-made...wondered if someone lives there...
Saw these birds running along side the road into the bushes...caught a quick, but blurry dark pic - I think they were quail...
When I was taking pics of the planes I didn't notice the background, but as I approached this bridge it was clearly evident that this was the border between the US and Mexico...
Greg attempted to ride yesterday. It started with some sunshine and blue sky...
Then it began to get gray and bleak, and as I was heading back to camp this dense fog started rolling in!
Decided to stay in the area near Greg...just in case.
And then it began raining again and it turned to sleet! Had trouble finding Greg with the GPS program because he was flying down a hill and the program couldn't keep up with where he was! He was pretty much drenched by the time I got to him...
Back to camp to wait another day...
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