Date(s): Oct. 7, 1999
Day: Thursday
From: Gila Hot Springs, NM
To: Mimbres, NM
Lodging: Casas Adobes RV Park
Segment Mileage: 40.6
Cumulative Mileage: 940.6
Actual Riding Time: 3:14
Average Speed: 12.4
Weather: Sunny, windy
Temp: low 80's
Today was probably the best riding yet. We started the morning with a climb out of Gila Hot Springs. We were backtracking to route 35 from our side trip to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, and it was a 6 mile climb that was much steeper than the climb into the valley. It took an hour, standing in granny gear much of the time. Despite the climb, it was one a great day of riding because we were still in the Gila Wilderness, with views of mountains and cliffs all around, unobstructed by phone or electric lines, with crystal clear skies dotted with a few clouds, and almost no cars.
From the peak we descended back to the Grey Feather Lodge where we had stopped on Tues., and met for brunch. The staff bent over backwards to help us and we feasted on eggs, hash brown potatoes, toast, soups, pie, etc. Breakfast in camp had consisted of cereal packs that were available from the RV store, mostly sweetened children's cereals that weren't very appealing.
It was hard to leave the lodge after the good meal, but the
tailwind helped to push us up the gradual climb to our last crossing
of the Continental Divide, at around 6599 feet, where Oliver took a
picture of Mike and I. 
The
ride into Mimbres was downhill from there with a tailwind. Most of us
stopped at the store for drinks, and the deal of the day, 5
cent/minute phone cards. A post office was next door, and I mailed
home to Kerie another envelope of used maps, photos, and
misc. booklets; a pound of weight that I won't have to carry over
Emory Pass tomorrow.
Camp is a typical RV park, although the wind hasn't stopped howling since we arrived. It was an interesting job trying to erect our nylon tents that were more like kites than tents, with the ground so hard that the smart ones like Janet pounded a screw driver in first to create a hole for the stakes. We've heard that a storm is predicted for tonight, possibly our first rain since Brawley.
Highight #1 of the day: Spike helped me carry food from the raccoon-proof tin roof, and a horse that had been left out all night sensed the presence of food and followed him to the breakfast table, Spike announcing that we should expect 14 for breakfast instead of the usual 13.
Highlight #2: In the middle of the night, Spike yelling to the braying burro to shut up, and having the burro shut up immediately.
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