April 6, 2019
As I wrote earlier, I needed to pad some length this ride a bit; I really didn't know by how much. Additionally, I thought why not see something I've not been to before. East along US-380 will eventually run into US-70, and a big oversized loop around the White Sands Missile Range. Simple and foolproof is always good.
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| US-380, New Mexico |
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| (L) Smokey Bear - Capitan, NM |
We ride thru a couple of towns, and we come across signs that featured Smokey Bear. Well, I did not know that in 1950, in this very region of New Mexico, a real-live bear cub was rescued from a forest fire, and given the name Smokey. Just a few years earlier, the ad campaign for promoting forest fire prevention had been created. Smokey the Bear is actually buried at the State Historical Park in Capitan, NM. Seems like a good reason to make a trip and explore out this way on another ride.
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| Lincoln, NM |
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| Lincoln, NM |
Lincoln, New Mexico had a large historical district. Many of the building along the highway were at least 100 years old. Some were maintained, some weren't.
Allsups - Hondo - 1445 1455 0:10
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| Hondo, NM |
The easternmost point of our trip is here. A good mark needed to set a corner, and three more stops to get home.
US-70 is a wide, four-lane highway, which twists and turns thru the mountains. Big, wide, sweepers, but a bit too much traffic to push the limits out here.
A lot of horse farms...oh, yeah!
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| US-70 near Ruidoso, NM |
Ruidoso Downs is the name of a community and a horse track that has been here since the 1940's. Seems to be some impressive money around these parts.
Once out of the mountains, it's back to the desert, next to the White Sands National Monument and the community of Alamogordo.
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| At the base of the mountains on the horizon, you can see the white sands. |
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| Alamogordo, NM |
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| This road seems to be dead straight for 50 miles - because it is! |
El Paso - and especially the area on the west side of the city, is home to Fort Bliss. Staying out of Texas, we turn onto State Line Rd and head for the next-to-last "corner" for our loop, Chapparal, NM
Chapparral - 1725 1732 0:07
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| One gas station for the region...and I found it. |
Quickly, the beginning of the end is near. Getting onto I-10, with the "Welcome to Texas" sign in the rear-view mirror means this ride is...still going on.
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| Back onto Interstate 10, approaching Las Cruces, NM |
Approaching Las Cruces...that food I had a few hours ago...yeah, I could use a bit more.
"Wanna eat something?"
"It doesn't matter..."
"Still have your headache?"
"A bit..."
I *know* this place, I've been here before, and it's easy-off, easy-on to the Interstate.
Las Cruces - 1803 1832 0:29
Sometimes, it *is* nice to -not- move, even if it's only for a half an hour. A bite to eat, a quick check of social media (for both of us...), and now it's time for the last...320-odd miles.
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| Easy access to the Interstate from this location. |
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| The sun low on the horizon... |
On the way out, I put on a podcast for us to listen to. My wife seemed to enjoy it, as she asked if I had another one to listen to. Well, those that have read along on this blog may remember the last time I did this, I had to solve my flat tire problem. I'm truly wanting no drama.
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| Yeah, it's bright...ugh! |
We listen to the podcast, and I'm adjusting the next-to-last fuel stop needed to make it home.
Only a few miles outside of Lordsburg, eastbound traffic is very, very slow. It was difficult to see, but there had been a fairly substantial accident here. I thought there was at least two semi's involved. I have no idea about injuries.
Lordsburg - 2001 2012 0:11
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| Approaching that next-to-last stop is always a relief. |
Gas...and the pump fails to provide a receipt. My wife says she needs another bio-break, so she will retrieve it. From here, there's only a couple more hours of riding in order to make it home.
As sunlight fully escapes the horizon, a nearly new moon is also on the horizon.
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| Moon on the horizon - sunset and moonset on the same ride! |
My wife and I are both watching this - it was hard to tell if the sliver of light (called "earthshine") still shining on the moon was able to be detected as it was fading. (NOTE: nope...the new moon happened a couple of nights earlier; the earthshine is actually getting larger - I didn't know that! )
The final stretch across the desert was remarkably uneventful.
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| The I-10 / I-19 junction - just a few more miles to home! |
AMPM - 2120
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| The last receipt from here - and home in six minutes! |
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| Thanks for being a good sport - love ya!! |
Slightly over 18 hours to cover 1045 miles. About 3 1/2 of those hours were to get fuel, food, wait in line to get in - and to see Trinity.
So, what did *you* do on Saturday?
April 26, 2019
Certificates inbound... 😃
July 16, 2020
ICYMI: 75 years ago today, the explosion at Trinity happened.
That's a real trooper you carry around with you! Maybe I should make my first SS1000 with a passenger...
ReplyDeleteIf you're serious about doing a Saddlesore, my suggestion would be to do it by yourself. Time management with one person is so much easier.
DeleteIt takes a bit of effort...only because it's not just you that has to be taken care of. I'm fortunate that all these miles later, she's got it figured out. When she needs something, she needs to tell me! I'm a terrible mind reader! :D