Enchantments, Enhancements, Entrapements...

[DDT (12)]

We departed that cool place... Colorado is 'cool' in so many ways, but one in particular had recently overtaken the others in prominence... Yep, the mercury was way too low in the glass tube for this delicate flower more accustomed to dealing with heat than anything being offered just then on the slopes of the Front Range... Riding south was very much on my mind!

The wind, too, was a factor in all those 'venue' calculations. Everything about early spring 'up there' is volatile, extreme, and fraught with challenge... Besides... it was just time to move on. I tend to grow restless after a few days in one spot, and the lure of the open road constantly beckons. I know it goes without saying that our girl also grows weary of sitting around idly marking time, and there is no mistaking her not-so-subtle signals.

With ALI's front wheel pointing due south, we made our way back into New Mexico. We paused for the night in Las Vegas, NM, then resumed our trek towards warmer temps. We did leave the very efficient but rather dull freeway system, and things immediately began to improve... Two-lane roads first to Santa Rosa for some breakfast, then further southward and a Gerbings-free situation more to our liking...

The scenery improved, or at least changed with each passing mile. Perhaps 'improved' is a poor choice of word, because there is no improvement possible when viewing perfection! Mountains are beautiful, clear skies are as welcoming as they are encouraging, and winding roads are invigorating... Vegetation also varies with changes in latitude, longitude, and elevation. No combination of factors is better than any other, in my opinion, they just are different... and all are enchanting in their own unique way...

One's mental state also is a huge factor in shaping one's perception and enjoyment of any ride. My 'attitude' was soaring right up there with the 'altitude', and the whole experience was indescribably satisfying... I wondered if I could have enjoyed it nearly as much without having trodden the same rocky, pot-hole strewn path to arrive here when and how I had... Is the experiencing of hardship really a key to appreciating blessings...?

Alamogordo became our stopping point for the next evening. It was convenient for several reasons, not the least of which were a Walmart store just off 'motel row', and our girl's need for an oil change... Just like countless times before, that chore was performed on the parking lot just outside my room... my most recent 'current residence'... Unlike previous times, however, this one included a boo-boo...

The foil-like metal basting pan I'd purchased along with the oil and filter, was just like dozens of others picked-up for this purpose all around North America... light, cheap, easily discarded when its purpose had been fulfilled... Did I mention it had been quite windy lately? Well, just I stood her up, so the oil could drain, a gust of wind moved that pan a bit under her... and... I hope nobody reports us to the EPA for an oil-spill! Does this make us environmental terrorists...?  Careless, to be sure, but... Oh well, lesson learned...

I put some detergent in a waste basket full of water to wash some of the gunk away...


No helicopters circling overhead and no news teams on the ground filming evidence the following morning, so I figured there was still time for us to escape... We loaded up and headed towards El Paso... and another mess of grits to soothe my jangled nerves, and to ease the guilt I was then feeling. I reasoned this would probably help me appreciate some future blessing more...

The forecast had called for 'isolated showers about' that day, but a departure delay was ill-advised for legal reasons... so, I rolled the dice... Van Horn, TX, became our evening's stop-point. By then, I was thinking maybe we should just head for Florida... The spirit of adventure had been satisfied for the moment, and I did need to do my taxes. More reasons could be found if necessary, but those would do for the time being... I was thinking we'd just ride US HWY 90... again... then skirt San Antonio to the south... again...

The next morning, the weather forecast for our proposed 'plan' looked downright ugly! Dang, I didn't want to hunker down for another night or two, and I surely didn't want to ride into rain, so... Heck, we'd just head west again for a few days, then turn back towards Florida when the forecast improved... Back to El Paso for more grits, then... who knew...

The forecast for west of us was for 'a chance of isolated showers'... the forecast for east of us was for 'rain'... a no-brainer, I'd figured... but first, breakfast was on my mind...

I do hope we can get lucky today...


Glad that one is moving away...


That doesn't look promising at all!


The first one to strike my face was more like a pellet gun round finding its mark... Soon enough it was more like bird shot with a wide pattern! I put my left hand over my face just below my sun shades, and I began to look for shelter... No more than a quarter mile down the road was a picnic area with covered tables! Dang! I'd rather be lucky than good, so I pulled in with ALI protected as much as she could be, then my body hunkered under that merciful cover! I consoled myself with thoughts about how this would enhance future appreciation...

A couple of ice pellets blew in...
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Most pounded the ground harmlessly a few feet away... others made a heck of a racket on the metal roof overhead...
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Once the hail and rain had passed, we returned to the road and headed for a nutritional tonic... that general elixir I go for when things require serious remedy! I was not disappointed...


I've grown fond of that route through the Guadalupe Mountains from Van Horn, TX, to the north side of El Paso... mostly just a jog through some remote, wide open spaces, that includes some rather pleasant scenery...

Mountains...
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Open spaces...


Even a salt flat...



I hadn't locked-in on a destination, but I was toying with... Silver City, NM, perhaps a return to Arizona... we made it as far as Deming, NM... The following morning, the forecast appeared much better for a long ride eastward, especially if I took a more northerly route through Waco, TX, so... That's the way we went... I didn't want to get trapped in the west indefinitely, as that is oh-so easy to have happen!

DDT

[SCain]

Bruce,
Great post, there are some awesome roads and riding out of LV NM, next time you are through the Land of Entrapment, we should get together for a tour through those mountain ranges. Myself and Chuck (F6BANGER) ride that area quite often.
Steve

[msb]

 Some great photos Bruce...gives me a hankering to get back into that type of terrain again one time soon. Love my mountains and valleys here, but it's a different and equally satisfying feeling riding through those great open expanses for miles on end.
By the look of those photos with not much around for cover, it seems you were a bit fortunate to find decent shelter from the hail. The Mrs and I had a similar occurence a couple years ago in Southern Montana where a lone tree appeared in the middle of nowhere to afford us partial protection from almost dime-sized pellets.
Thanks for the post & pics

[The emperor has no clothes]

  nice report.

[Daniel Meyer]

You're all over my favorite stomping grounds!



"One's mental state also is a huge factor in shaping one's perception and enjoyment of any ride."

A true statement...in any aspect of life...so few "get" that.

There are notable exceptions...but for the most part...the universe presents precisely what's expected of it.

Ride on!

[Bigwolf]

You're all over my favorite stomping grounds!



"One's mental state also is a huge factor in shaping one's perception and enjoyment of any ride."

A true statement...in any aspect of life...so few "get" that.

There are notable exceptions...but for the most part...the universe presents precisely what's expected of it.

Ride on!

+1   

Bruce,
Thanks for the update and the photos.

The oil catch pan sounds like something I would do..........with equal results.    In windy conditions and with large enough basting pan, a soft drink bottle full of water sitting in the pan might stabilize things enough to complete the chore without mishap.  Of course, a larger pan means more wind power so.........maybe not.

Bigwolf

[hubcapsc]

If you click on Bruce's pictures it brings you to postimage (no russian girls) and
if you click again, the picture goes full size... it is way worth it with this batch of pictures...

-Mike

[Valker]

Bruce, when I change the oil on the road, I've had better lock with a paper grocery bag rolled down to just the right height to fit under the bike without enough for the wind to blow oil (I know that wasn't the issue here) and a plastic garbage bag inside the paper bag to catch the oil. Easy to dispose of the bag either in a recycle place ot other acceptable container. No further cleanup needed like disposing of the aluminum pan.

[The emperor has no clothes]

If you click on Bruce's pictures it brings you to postimage (no russian girls) and
if you click again, the picture goes full size... it is way worth it with this batch of pictures...

-Mike

Wow ! Very cool. Thanks for the tip. 

[Reb]

I was just in those neck of the woods last week. After seeing your photos I sure wish I was there again.

Thanks for sharing my friend

[Oss]

How sweet it is when it all works out.

Thanks for the great report and Mike thanks for the tip about viewing those pics

[Crackerborn]

I know a bit about "cool" places in May. This was May 25, last year on my way to Denver by way of WY.

And that ain't salt out there... all left over from the previous day.

[DirtyDan]

 

Keep going.......

Dan

[Pappy!]

Pretty amazing! Love to read about where you are.

[DDT (12)]

Steve,

You are so right about awesome roads thereabouts! Chuck led me on many tours through that area once upon a time... I'd rented an apartment in Albuquerque, and he and I rode many, many times together... He does know his way around quite well, and he certainly knows of some great restaurants! Perhaps we can share some wind one of these days... I do like to wander around out there, and if I were a betting man, I'd give odds I'll be back!

DDT



Mike (MSB),

I know what you mean! I'm often asked what my 'favorite place' is... I find that question nearly impossible to answer, because I love it all so much! Your area is very special, and I love riding around up there... The southwest is also special, and I love it down there, too! The southeast, northeast and all in between... I just love it all. Since I can't seem to make up my mind, I reckon I'll just continue to roam around all of it... doing research, you see, in the name of objectivity and all...  

DDT



Thanks, Rob... Are you counting down the days yet until the big ride to Roanoke?

DDT



Daniel,

My favorite stomping grounds, too! As mentioned above, though, I love it all, so while I share your enthusiasm for that area, my 'like lens' has a very wide angle!!!

Yes, we do tend to find what we seek... I seek beauty and goodness, understanding and wisdom... I've found more of each than I ever suspected was out there, but that last item is still a bit elusive... so far...    

DDT



Jerry,

Thanks, my friend... I did think about adding some 'ballast' to the pan, but I was unable to come up with any creative, effective ideas... While I did put the old filter in the pan, it obviously wasn't enough weight. Your idea sounds intriguing! I'll try to remember that next time...

DDT



Mike (hubcapsc),

WOW! That is a great bit of information! Heck, I like anything that puts me in a better light, and that technique certainly makes me appear to be a better photographer... You techy guys know so much!!! Thanks...

DDT



Valker,

WOW! Who knew changing the oil could stimulate such creative thought! Sounds like a good idea, and one worth trying-out... I'll be experimenting with your idea and the one Big Wolf suggested, then I'll see which works best for ALI and me... Thanks!

DDT



Reb,

Yeah, I know just what you mean... I can't get enough of it either! My pleasure sharing the experience... It's like reliving it all over again...

DDT



Oss,

Yes, I like it when things work out too! That really was a good bit of information Mike gave us on the photo viewing... Glad you're finding a way to ride some yourself... best therapy I've ever found!

DDT



Crackerborn,

You are so right! Weather in many parts of our continent can be downright freaky sometimes, and seemingly 'out of season' occurrences can sure present some challenges for those of us who choose to venture forth on a scooter! Snow at odd times of the year has surprised me too on more than a few rides! Oh well, I'm convinced that's a part of the allure... at least for yours truly...

DDT



Dan,

Yep... that's the plan!

DDT



Pappy,

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing you and Lesa at the doings in Roanoke... in a few weeks now! Dang! That reminds me... I need to register!!!

DDT

[RDAbull]

Finally had a few minutes to catch up on my reading.  Hope you got your taxes done on time.

The pictures are great, Mike's tip makes them even better. 

Keep on keeping on.  I'll catch up to you somewhere this summer.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Good talking with you yesterday thanks for checking on me     Awesome ride report so glad you started adding pictures . Ride On my friend.

[trout dude]

Hey Joe did you notice he washed the ground and not ALI  LOL  

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Hey Joe did you notice he washed the ground and not ALI  LOL  

LOL ...That's the Bruce we all know and love 

[t-man403]

Hey Joe did you notice he washed the ground and not ALI  LOL  

That's NOT funny!!!   

[DDT (12)]

I never thought of it that way!!! Seemed only appropriate for me to try to clean up the mess I created... Cleaning our girl... well... that never occurred to me either!

DDT