Dan and the RV
- Five Star Hotel in Salome
As planned, we completed a 61 mile trip today. We expected it to be relatively easy, but the ride involved 2500 ft of climbing. It took us almost 6 hours to complete the trip.
We started from Blythe on I-10 and traveled along the Interstate for 32 miles before exiting on Route 60 East. We are glad to be saying goodbye to I-10. The scenery is nice but the traffic is heavy; too many 18 Wheelers racing by our shoulder.
We met a number of cyclists today. The one that stands out is a guy named Alex Wilson from Vermont. This guy was loaded down with gear and traveling cross-country alone. I don’t know how he does it (or why for that matter). Climbing those mountains with 50 pounds of gear is a tough go – guess he finds this satisfying. Alex was a prototypical cycling guy – sort of weird. I am guessing that is what many think about us until they meet us (usually Dan making friends) and realize we are just a couple of good old coon asses from South Louisiana.
We are staying at an interesting hotel (picture attached) that Beth managed to find. This town of Salome is sitting in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing out here and we were lucky to find this place. The rooms were all booked (go figure) but the owner, Randle, put us up in his RV, (picture attached with Dan standing alongside). We are living high on the hog.
Tomorrow we are heading to Yarnell, North of Wickenburg. The first fifty or 60 miles of the trip are relatively flat but we have a monster climb up into what is supposed to be a beautiful town setting. Dan and I visited the post office today and jettisoned some of our gear. We are trying to reduce weight.
I struggled a bit today on the climbs. I need this time tonight to recharge my batteries. Tomorrow will be a great day.
tomballay 
I noticed I got a shout out for my incredible ability to find luxurious accomodations. My phone will be ringing off the hook!
I’m glad Beth is my friend and NOT by travel agent!!! Love the RV, we could all meet you guys on the road and follow you in it . . . Keep up the good work, you guys are amazing!!!
Salome looks cozy. You guys should take a day off and enjoy the sites.
Have a great ride tomorrow!
You guys are impressive. Love the RV. I say give Randle a few bucks to hook up the RV and follow you to Yarnell. The same bed 2 nights in a row!!
Wondering what was considered excess gear.
Is Dan wearing flip flops and a Columbia fishing shirt in that picture?! looks like a luxurious combination of excessive goods to me!
Weird certainly, but a prototypical bicyclist?–probably not. As for why I’m biking across country, there’s more in my blog: atwilson.com. Great meeting you guys and sharing a few miles and a rest together! Did you come across the “Cultural Recyclists”–a group of four 20-something kids biking to Pennsylvania. I wrote about them in my blog: Day Six. Cheers, -Alex
Tom, Audrey called me and gave me your site email address. Iam much enjoying reading of your ventures.
Do you have a sponsor?