The first 2 hours out of Tuscon were great riding, about 72 degrees, and really crisp. Once the sun got hold it rapidly got very hot, coupled with it being hotter as one travelled east. It is 103 to-day, with 109 scheduled for tomorrow. Van Horn east of here is scheduled for 106 today.
I had originally planned to reach San Antonio in two reasonable hops, but would have run into 3 digit temperatures east of El Paso, so decided that I would bed in El Paso, and give me and the bike a little TLC, plus I can do laundry. I hope to catch up with a few other things as well, maybe even my blog. I plan to head east very early tomorrow, and hopefully beat the worst of the heat. San Antonio is in the 90s, with chance of thunderstorms later in the week. I guess to be expected nearer the Gulf. It was thunderstorms I envisioned dodging, not so much the heat. If it takes longer to the Keys, so be it. I can readjust heading north. As long as I am in Maryland on the 14th, and Madawaska within my 21 days, that will do. The rest is gravy.
Well New Mexico is not much for scenery. Pretty flat and scrub. I10 is in not too bad a shape. Most of the traffic heading my way was big rigs hammering along at 80 plus, with only one bike, a Gold Wing. The rider looked like he was sitting there watching TV. Why do Gold Wings never have a load of gear strapped on them?. I know I have the sink with me (far too much gear but I packed for 3 things), but these guys sure travel light. Or maybe they don’t have spare T shirts and underpants. One thing I did see today were many land cruiser type RVs heading west. I had meant to mention it during my trip down California, for they were noticeable by their absence, much to my delight. There were a few in campgrounds I passed, but none on the road.
Gas is much cheaper here than California for sure, and the add on for premium we suffer in Washington is easier. 20 cents a gallon more, not 40. I meant to mention this during the Big Sur trip, I bought gas at $4.95 a gallon. Talk about a captive audience. I didn’t really need to fill up, but needed the high . I have found that Chevron gas pumps, specifically in Arizona, won’t process my Visa card. Inside at the cashiers desk it works. Maybe it is Chevron getting payback for Washington boycotting Arizona. I was getting gas in one station and I am sure I met Wild Bill Hickok. Gun, hat, hair the lot. I asked the time, and he was the nicest guy.
When driving through El Paso looking for a motel, I passed the “World Famous” Barnett Harley store. So of course I stopped to check it out, and bought the obligatory T shirt, not that I need any more gear to pack. They had a ton of bikes in there, a large store indeed.
Entering Texas
Well it is eastward tomorrow. We'll see how far I get.
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