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.

 

Ramble 13: Real Mountains.