March 6, 2017. Duncan Arizona to Deming New Mexico 101.5 miles and 794 miles from the Pacific. Doing a century ride today was not in the plan but that’s just how these things go. I packed up camp happy as the sun was rising over the high desert mountains to the east. My new air mattress is like sleeping at the Hilton – thank you Maja. And my new gears are great for climbing mountains – thank you thank you Brad. After a quick breakfast horse and I hit the road fully dressed in our insulated cold-weather gear. Not quite freezing temperatures last night but very close. The sun warmed up quickly and by the time we hit the New Mexico border I was taking off my leg warmers, jacket, and stocking cap.
A traffic was light and the road and a nice shoulder. The large Saguaro cactus have disappeared replaced by sagebrush and a funky looking bush type cactus. A hawk flies overhead looking for breakfast and I hear a coyote howl in the distance. I marvel at the tumbleweeds as they blow across the road in front of us. Mother nature’s way of spreading seeds by turning the bush into a ball and letting the wind do the rest.
The nice tailwind builds all morning. By the time we get to Lordsburg It’s turned into a full-fledged windstorm from the Northwest. The road turns north east and I do everything to try to hold horse on the road but it was nearly impossible. Gusts of 45 mph hit us broadside and nearly threw us into the ditch a couple times. I stopped and looked for Plan B. And then turned around and headed back to Lordsburg. As I was heading into town I guy in a big black pick up truck stopped next to me at an intersection. I must’ve been looking at the map with a dumbfounded look. The really nice older gentleman was from the area and we talked about options for a while. He was a former biker and his grown children are into mountain bikers. He help me figure out an alternate route that would send me towards Las Cruces taking advantage of the big wind. More trail magic just when I needed it. Horse and I had a downwind course and cruised between 15 and 20 mph all afternoon. By the time we got to Deming my legs had that rubber feeling. I got a room and took a shower, did some laundry and then went for some find Mexican food. The wind is still howling outside. I will sleep well tonight. I hope you do too. Cheers, Freebird

March 4th, 2017. Globe Arizona to Safford Arizona 76.2 miles and 692 miles from the Pacific. A great day to be on the bike. A very cool start to the day which meant putting on my cold-weather gear. I had a lot of energy in the morning which seem to last most of the day. The highlight of my day was a white motorcycle went by and beeped his horn twice. My first thought was that it might be my friend Jim from Phoenix. But this is a long ways from Phoenix. Sure enough about a mile up the road there was Jim waiting for me at a rest stop. It was really nice to see a familiar smiling face. He road ahead and we had lunch together in the little town of Bylas. I am camped at a warm showers host tonight along with a couple other bikers. Warm weather, nice tailwinds, and beautiful scenery of the Arizona desert all afternoon. Snowcapped mountains to the west and beautiful red cliffs on my left followed me all the way down this gorgeous Valley. Several hawks fly overhead and jackrabbits dash across the road in front of me as horse and I make our way through this beautiful desert wonderland. I hope you had some time to enjoy a friendship or see some of natures wonders today as well. Cheers, Freebird

March 2, 2017. Sunflower Arizona to Roosevelt Arizona 45 wonderful miles and 582 miles from the Pacific.
My good friend Jim and his wife Trish dropped me off in the desert today just passed where I injured my knee last year.
Beautiful Arizona weather with temperatures in the high 60s And a nice wide shoulder and very little traffic. Can’t ask for much more than that on the first day of this journey. Camp happy and I are set up overlooking the Roosevelt reservoir. It is beautiful and desolate. As the sun sets the mountains to the east turn bright red and the cool Mountain air begins to sink into the valley. I take a sip of warm tea from my camp stove and feel grateful for all my friends and family that have supported and encourage me. I am one lucky free bird. Enjoy the pictures of the desert southwest.