Update10

Update 10 - 11/26/00

Howdy Partners!!

We are in El Paso, Texas, enjoying the Wild West. The region is rich in three histories, Native Peoples, Spanish/Mexican and American and the desert is as beautiful as you have heard. Don't pass up the chance to visit here!

We started the week in Tucson, Arizona, where we enjoyed "El Tour de Tucson," a great bike race. All the riders are timed, including the 111 mile main event, 75, 50 and 31 mile racers. Prizes are awarded to 1st thru 5th place winners in each distance category. The winning time for the 111 mile distance? Just over 4 hours, 24 minutes. There is only one word for those folks -- fast! We are already planning the trip to come back again next year.

From Tucson we continued our southern "detour" from the Adventure Cycling Route through the historic towns of Sonoita, Tombstone, Bisbee and Douglas. We stayed in a B&B in Sonoita built by one of the owners of the great race horse, Secretariat, visited Boot Hill and the OK Corral in Tombstone and toured the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee.

From Bisbee it was a quick ride down the hill to Douglas in the southeast corner of Arizona, near the Mexican border. We visited the fabulous Gadson Hotel, with it's ornate columns and woodwork, and marveled at the artifacts and photos from the Old West on display there.

The next day - Thanksgiving Holiday - we crossed into New Mexico near the little town of Rodeo and stayed at a cottage called Quail Run near Portal, Arizona. The route here parallels the state line, so going a couple of miles east on Portal Road to the cottage put us back into Arizona. With no time to cook a turkey, we settled for turkey soup at dinner.

Since leaving Tucson, we have crossed a lot of desolate land, but going across southern New Mexico gives new meaning to the term. There is nothing but fences, the occasional cattle herd, and rare passing auto for miles and miles. Our "high point" for the day was just that -- the Continental Divide. The road paralleled the Mexican Border as we rode through the little town of Hachita, known to cyclists as the end of the Continental Divide Route. We completed the 95 miles to Columbus where we spent the night in the very historic Pancho Villa State Park.

From Columbus to El Paso is another 70 miles through the desert. Coming over a rise we could see El Paso from 40 miles out. Watching passing traffic take 20 minutes to disappear, knowing vehicles travel at about 75 in the desert gave meaning to the vast distances the Southwest is famous for.

Tomorrow we leave to the Southeast and our next major city, Del Rio. Only 435 miles away and still on the Texas/Mexico border. Things are BIG in Texas!

Free as the Wind

George, Sharon and Jim Miner

PS Those of you who have been following our trip since we left last September will remember that our Email helper Kathy, fell ill some time ago. We are happy to report that she is home now and recovering quickly.

This email is intended solely for the personal use of the addressees. No reproduction rebroadcast, or other use is allowed without the expressed written permission of the authors.





				Update 10 - 11/26/00

		Howdy Partners!! We are in El Paso, Texas, enjoying the Wild West. The region is rich in three histories, Native Peoples, Spanish/Mexican and American and the desert is as beautiful as you have heard. Don't pass up the chance to visit here! We started the week in Tucson, Arizona, where we enjoyed "El Tour de Tucson," a great bike race. All the riders are timed, including the 111 mile main event, 75, 50 and 31 mile racers. Prizes are awarded to 1st thru 5th place winners in each distance category. The winning time for the 111 mile distance? Just over 4 hours, 24 minutes. There is only one word for those folks -- fast! We are already planning the trip to come back again next year. From Tucson we continued our southern "detour" from the Adventure Cycling Route through the historic towns of Sonoita, Tombstone, Bisbee and Douglas. We stayed in a B&B in Sonoita built by one of the owners of the great race horse, Secretariat, visited Boot Hill and the OK Corral in Tombstone and toured the Copper Queen Mine in Bisbee. From Bisbee it was a quick ride down the hill to Douglas in the southeast corner of Arizona, near the Mexican border. We visited the fabulous Gadson Hotel, with it's ornate columns and woodwork, and marveled at the artifacts and photos from the Old West on display there. The next day - Thanksgiving Holiday - we crossed into New Mexico near the little town of Rodeo and stayed at a cottage called Quail Run near Portal, Arizona. The route here parallels the state line, so going a couple of miles east on Portal Road to the cottage put us back into Arizona. With no time to cook a turkey, we settled for turkey soup at dinner. Since leaving Tucson, we have crossed a lot of desolate land, but going across southern New Mexico gives new meaning to the term. There is nothing but fences, the occasional cattle herd, and rare passing auto for miles and miles. Our "high point" for the day was just that -- the Continental Divide. The road paralleled the Mexican Border as we rode through the little town of Hachita, known to cyclists as the end of the Continental Divide Route. We completed the 95 miles to Columbus where we spent the night in the very historic Pancho Villa State Park. From Columbus to El Paso is another 70 miles through the desert. Coming over a rise we could see El Paso from 40 miles out. Watching passing traffic take 20 minutes to disappear, knowing vehicles travel at about 75 in the desert gave meaning to the vast distances the Southwest is famous for. Tomorrow we leave to the Southeast and our next major city, Del Rio. Only 435 miles away and still on the Texas/Mexico border. Things are BIG in Texas! Free as the Wind George, Sharon and Jim Miner PS Those of you who have been following our trip since we left last September will remember that our Email helper Kathy, fell ill some time ago. We are happy to report that she is home now and recovering quickly. This email is intended solely for the personal use of the addressees. No reproduction rebroadcast, or other use is allowed without the expressed written permission of the authors.