So we really had two rides today - the first started with an 18 mile (but relatively gentle) climb through the Sangre de Cristo mountains - tons of fall color with the aspens (see above), a descent through Angel Fire (with one flat tire) and then another climb and descent through Cimmarron Canyon - which was absolutely spectacular (see below - doesn't do it justice though). Passed through part of the Philmont ranch (for you former Boy Scouts). We're following part of the Santa Fe trail which was a major trade route from Missouri to Santa Fe prior to railroads (and the invasion route for the US/Mexican war in 1846). The first half of the ride was amazing - the second half sucked because we were on plains and bucking a 20mph headwind gusting to 30 - exhausted... ready for bed in:
Raton, NM (Spanish for 'mouse' - not sure why the town was eventually named this as it started as Willow Springs) was a stopping point on the trail and then became a major rail hub. The rock strata near here offer some of the best evidence of the 'iridium layer' which demonstrates the effects of the meteorite that ended T. Rex's reign. We've left the Rockies behind and will be descending the high plains about 1000ft per day for the next few days.
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| Prairie dog, middle hole! (shy guys, this was the best I could get) |
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| When your bar is in the middle of nowhere you don't need a name - just tell it like it is |
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| Probably pumped the well dry today.. getting into cow and windmill country now... |
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