Day 26 Fri. Oct 10, 2008

From Show Low to Heber, AZ 41 miles

This morning I checked the wheels of my bicycle. The front tire was getting soft. I decided to put some air in the tire; big mistake. The pump I own does not fit the valves on the inner tube. At Sorocco I purchased a hand pump which was designed to add a few more pounds until I reach a gas station.

Remember, my tires were inflated with 4 ounces of slime to prevent goat heads, small seedpods with very hard, sharp needles, from puncturing the tires. I’m supposed to remove the pin at the top of the valve stem place it into my mouth for immediate response after inflating the tire, to prevent too much air release from the tube. Well, that minor memory slip caused me an extra 20 minutes of riding time. What’s the rush, I’m on a journey, against the wind. I did remember to remove the pin before pumping. I replaced the front tire, adjusted the brakes and must wait until I arrive at a town with a qualified bike shop to replace or remove the pin from the tube I intended to inflate.

Show Low is a fairly large town, located on Hwy 60. It stretches out East and West for many miles. The central road is the highway that runs through it, Hwy 60. The name of that road is Deuce of Clubs. In 1878 Colonel Cooley and his ranching partner, Marion Clark, decided to play a card game for ownership of their ranch. On the last hand Clark said, Show low and you win. The Colonel laid down his hand with the deuce of clubs, winning the game. It has been Show Low ever since.

One of the longest streets T’s off of Deuce of Clubs and travels south. It too, markets a mall, JC Penney, Radio Shack and other retail and service businesses. And of course a quantity of residences and plenty of construction in progress.

I discovered Mountain Road because I was looking for a new battery for my camera. First I went to K Mart. It seems like all or most small town techno needs are met by K Mart or Wal Mart. Not so this time. Someone suggested Radio Shack and gave me directions.

Today I followed Hwy 60 out of Show Low and left it to follow Hwy 260 all the way to Heber. AZ. There were many paved walking paths and parkways along the way out of town. Lots of women and seniors were making use of them.

The wind began to pick up further out and the shoulders began to reappear this time with no corrugated restrictions to minimize the riding space. I thanked Sister Wind and sang a song in my heart to her. Opening my mouth on the ride is prohibited. My lips dry out and particles of sand, dust, asphalt, pebbles may enter my mouth.

Then I discovered long gliding valleys. What a pleasure, but that joy was soon circumvented. The blasted wind kicked up to about 30 mph. This will be my last day to curse the wind. Sister Wind, I’m sorry. I made the choice to ride west. You find pleasure in bringing moisture and cool temperatures to these regions. Who am I to want change?

I was well into 3 hours of my ride when Pam caught up with me. The highway began to develop more and more sophisticated hills. They climb in very subtle ways. First there is a bump on the road then further down the road a slight turn becomes a long up hill climb in very small increments that last for, well, too many minutes.

Occasionally when I look up the mountains are decorated with tall skeleton of pine trees, suggesting that Brother Fire had visited these parts and did considerable damage to the green forest mountain. It is no wonder that Sister Wind has full control of the mountains, the highways, everything. I tell you the winds are angry.

But, praise be to God! There are young pine trees already taking deep roots and spreading fledgling branches dancing in the wind. It is so nice to see green instead of red dirt and stones. Understand, of course, that the picture I am painting certainly reflects only portions of this vast country.

As I travel through the region called Snow Mountain, on one side of the highway there are miles and miles of fire destroyed forests, while on the opposite side, green trees are tall and old but green, some parts of their trunks are split open half deceased, the other brimming with life.

At Heber, Pam and I found the only resting place, Best Western Sawmill Inn, a bit on the upscale. We had to take it or drive 63 miles to the next town. We ate at Sassy’s Café, where we met Jerry and Deb Ostrem, who had kind words of encouragement for us and gave us a much appreciated donation.

We also went to a small open market. Sort of a one vendor Farmer’s Market. We purchased some fresh fruit and sweet corn.

I just got a call from Serdar. It is such a pleasure to chat with him. God bless you, Serdar. Pam enjoyed talking to her daughter in law, Rebecca and her son, Tom.