Fri. Sept. 30, 2016,
Hwy 146, mile marker 9 to Antelope Wells Border Station
Start - ~4400'
High pt 4401'
Lo pt. ~4399'
End Elv ~4400'
Climbing ~500'??
Miles ~54.5
Total time 6:00
Ride time 5:30
Day with BOB 51
Last continental divide crossings, #30?
Total miles ridden - both on and off route
2485
This is it, my last day of riding the route, for this year at least? The long journey nears it's completion and I am ready for this milestone.
It rained last night and it is overcast as Glenda drops me off. The land here is a broad flat valley, with yucca, mesquite and creasote bushes. I roll through the almost abandoned village of Hachita, and stop at the cavernous and empty community center, whose doors are open to Divide bikers and hikers to stay. This would have been my overnight last night if not for Glendas support.
I turn and peddle south from Hachita, taking in the desert and it's offerings. It is towards the end of the wet season here, and things are actually kinda green, in places. I see a frog!, some praying manti and hordes of a large type grasshopper working to propagate the species.
Big Hatchet Mountain dominates the views south. Big Hatchet grows as does my milage. I actually do climb a little around Big Hatchett, and a few other spots. On the other side of the Hatchet Gap, there are mountain ranges flanking both sides, and drifting south out of sight into Mexico, though they look barren, dry, and forbidding to me. I keep peddling, and pass a few widely spread ranches off in the distance.
I am counting the mile markers down, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10! Single digits are left! I start thinking, what are my top ten highlights of the trip? Much musing over the next hour or so helps me deal with the afternoon headwind. Probably worth a seperate post. Glenda passes me with about 7 miles left. I pass mile marker 5, I can taste it! The end is nigh, and the rest of life lies just beyond.
At last, there is the border station, and only the vorder staion; I am tired, jazzed, thoughtful, relieved, satisfied.
This trip is done, but upper Montana and a short section Wyoming remain and beckon, and the divide stretches both north and south Canada and Mexico....
