Back on Mountain time...

in Baja CA Sur. Its wide open, wild, and beautiful. I landed in San Ignacio early and I am staying in a yurt on the San Ignacio river; a tributary into the Pacific, with wireless, no less. Its called the San Ignacio Bed and Breakfast (left a link earlier in this blog). If you ever come down this way, Stay here. Its in the middle of a Palm tree grove right on the river. Terry and her husband from the great white north, are super people and they have created a Zen masterpiece.

Here is the backyard:

Here is a shot of the Yurt:

Backing up a few days; Entering California along the border of Mexico:

heres another, outside of Yuma, entering California.



The dune buggies play here.


Crossing over to the outer darkness:

I will send along more with some pics soon.

Old men of the desert. The Saguaro and I.

All the winter gear is now off and packed away in the bowels of my bags. Shouldnt need them again until returning in February-ish

Tip of the day:
"Dont follow leaders
and stay away from parking meters"
Dylan, "Subterrainean Homesick Blues".

This is true in regards to riding a motorcycle. Should you ever find youself out there on one, heed these words.

I ripped off my winter gloves and gear in a parking lot at at a Starbucks in Tucson, AZ. so was able to take a few road side pics along I-8 from Gila Bend to Calexico, CA. This one was taken at the Best Western Space Age hotel in Gila Bend. The most dinero spent on shelter yet but the folks running the place were really accomodating and the "free" breakfast at the adjacent Space Age restarant was cooked in pig fat, just the way I like it.

Here is a shot of the rig in a parking lot at Saguaro National Monument, west of Tucson.

Another shot at the Monument

I arrived and booked a room in Calexico, CA early. A very busy city, and the last USA outpost before entering Mexico. The city reminds you of this at every turn:

An Applebee's is next door. Too bad the Starbucks
isnt quite ready to opens its doors yet.

Shouldn't it be getting warmer?

This is a pictoral definition of the slang "Butt Cold". Go ahead and enlarge the pic(s) for a better understanding.




Left Las Vegas, NM at 8am on about a 50 mile detour south-east because snow was flying in Santa Fe and Taos along I-25. (I could see it hanging over the Mountain). The good news, no snow on the detour. The bad news, more "Butt Cold".


Walking into the fuel stop shakin like a leaf on a tree, in Vaughn, NM at about 9am, with the hair on my face iced over, their thermometer(sp)?, read 19 degress. Unbeknowst to me, this territory is elevated more than 7200 ft.

Looking at the image, below, now, ( of Las Cruces, NM), I am reminded of the Saturday Night Live skit where Sinead O'Connor tore up a picture of the Pope; with its street signs, telephone poles and wire framing the glory, power, and majesty of these incredible Mountains. (This shot would be an excellent example of how not to shoot a landscape. But aint them Mountains purty)?


I was flying through this area way too fast, 90 miles an hour for three hours, as in this warmer weather I wanted to make up some time for the extra stops I had to make to give me time to cry for my mother in the "Butt Cold" earlier. (I just couldnt drive more than 65 mph with the temps in the 20's).


Las Cruces was in the fifties and I could finally crank out some miles. So I did. But the 15 minutes I stopped to take this pic and re-fuel is just a tiny example, (and a blasphemous one at that), of the spectacular scenery in this area. While I would have liked to spend more time here, it sure was a gas flying along through this space... ; )

425 miles / 7-8 hours in the saddle
Tomorrow: Sonoran Desert.

I love heated gloves. No really, I do...

Dont think it got much over thirty-five degrees all day. I was a little worried about rolling over Raton Pass, the last potential snow maker 'till my return, but the ride over the top was without any drama. It was cold but the roads were dry with little to no traffic.

I made it to Las Vegas baby! (Las Vegas, New Mexico that is). Took me awhile to get here though. I needed to make some unexpected stops along the way to check and adjust the gear and luggage. Coming over Raton Pass I realized my gloves werent heating up and my paws were starting to let me know it. Pulled over, got out the trusty Leatherman, and re-attached the wiring in the plug where it must have been pulled loose when I tried to walk away from the bike, still plugged in, at my last stop. They worked great the rest of the ride. (Know that I am here right now giving a "shout out" to St. Christopher)!

Today: about 325 miles, 6 hours in the saddle.
Tomorrow (Sunday): Las Vegas NM to Deming, AZ / 425 miles / Temp.'s forecasted to be about the same...
Thought(s) for the day: Damn, its cold and Damn, its cold.

GO PACK!!

Spirit Chain

St. Christopher medallion, whale bone, and the ring Robin gave to me back in the day.

Shake down complete. 24 hours ‘till departure
Thanking you doesn’t do justice. I can only think to say, “Namaste”; I honor each and every one of you. Your gifts and best wishes will not only be carried around my neck but deep in my heart and soul. I will be leaving tomorrow morning knowing that I am truly blessed.

You dont need a weatherman...

...to know which way the wind blows.

5 - 6 inches of snow expected to fall tonight with the forecast for the rest of the week to be about 40 degrees and dry. I need to commit to the rental truck Wednesday so will see what happens. I sure would like to ride out of here...

Here is the rehearsal; The third of ten packing attempts so far. My saddle bags are filled with tools and emergency gear. The yellow sacks will be mounted on top of the saddle bags. The rest of the stuff has to fit in the luggage, on the chair, which is already full. I dont have a clue either.