Day 9 Santa Fe to Farmington

Day 9 – Santa Fe to Farmington, New Mexico

A late start today – away from the Hampton Inn by 10:00 after posting my journal from Friday. My first fuel stop was Bernalillo which I entered from the Historic Route 66. Remember that old B & W TV show – “Route 66” with the guys in the convertible. Theme song - “Get Your Kicks on Route 66”. At high noon, another fuel stop in Cuba, NM where the church bells were calling the faithful to Mass. The odometer read exactly 33,800 – I now have the first 1,000 miles under my belt. Coming into Cuba, my iPod was playing an old Johnny Horton tune – “The Battle of New Orleans”. I was struck with sadness at the devastation there. It’s hard to believe that only 1 week ago I flew into Bush airport in Houston and now it has been closed and the hatches are battened down to weather the hurricane.

Today I crossed the Continental Divide onto the Apache Indian Reservation. Elevation 7,380 ft. Images of old cowboy and Indian movies dance through my head. Looking out over the plains, it’s easy to let your imagination run rampant and imagine the wagon trains and settlers who lost their lives. With my very short hair, my scalp wouldn’t be much of a trophy.

After crossing the Divide a severe side wind developed. I dropped my speed back but “Paladin” held firm. A nice surprise, and very unlike my Interceptor in the wind where the full lower fairing would act like a sail and push me all over the road.

Coming into Bloomfield, I can’t imagine where it derived its name. There isn’t a thing blooming in these fields and it would appear has not for quite some time. A few clumps of yarrow add the only colour to a very drab, dry landscape.

I must be acclimatizing to the heat. With the temperature in the mid to high 80’s I am very comfortable in jacket and gloves. I don’t see this as a good thing - I still have to cross that great rock pile and the temperatures have already been dropping to 28 and 30 at night. For the "Canucks" reading this - that's ~ -3C. Yes, Robert, I am still drinking lots of water and Gatorade – can’t have a woman running around with her electrolytes out of balance. It’s almost (but not quite), as bad a woman with out of control hormones. Thank goodness I have that one in check too.

Arrived in Farmington at 1:45 and fuelled again. At only $2.87 a gallon it seemed like a bargain after the $3.00 + I had been paying. This time, in addition to buying more water, I also bought an ice-cold Miller Lite to enjoy at my hotel. I had to laugh – the beer only cost $1.09 and the bottled water $1.25. What’s wrong with this picture ???

After checking in at my hotel, I ride into “town” and visit the local Honda shop. I had a great chat with the owner who made me a gift of a nifty Pro Honda Travel Pack which has cleaner/polish wipes, shield cleaner wipes and hand cleaner wipes. Very cool and much easier to pack than the aerosol can of Pro Polish. He has very kindly offered a pledge to the hospice ride. I also paid a visit to the local Harley shop which also carries Yamaha and Suzuki. They tell me it is the biggest Harley shop in New Mexico and I sure believe it. Lots of neat toys to spend $$$$ on but I have to resist as I’m packed to the gills already. Met with the GM – Mike who listened to my story, laughed with me at my pics and has also promised to make an online pledge. I really LIKE this town - the people are very friendly and it’s so easy to get around even I can’t get lost.

Enjoy dinner at the Three Rivers Eatery and Brew House and head back to the hotel. Across the road there is a gorgeous walk along the river – Paul you would just love this. Huge, 150 year old cottonwood trees stretch their arms across the brick path and make a cathedral like bower. They also have a wonderful veterans memorial commemorating all the wars including the Mexican, Civil, WWI & II, Korea, Viet Nam, Philippines, Spanish American and more coming as they await sponsorship. In the middle of the square is a large concrete water bowl with a huge globe of the world of solid granite. It spins freely in the water and is beautiful to reflect upon.

Walking back, I meet up with a gentleman coming over the bridge with a handsome Great Pyrenees dog who goes by the name of Rex. His owner Hymo and I walk together for some time and chat. It seems we have motorcycling in common – he started riding a 500 BMW in 1957 in his native Austria.

Beside the hotel is an interesting sign I thought I would share with you. “Despite the cost of living – it’s still popular”. My sentiments exactly. Goodnight.