Arizona, Part 1

...in which Team Ontario learnes the difference between the artificial and natural features of the Senoran Desert.



Leaving Silver City, Marianne and I were both pumped and energized from having spend time with a bunch of super awesome cyclists. While the plan was to cycle to Mule Creek, we made it about 12 miles further to the top of a 6200 pass and just into Arizona! We camped at the Blackjack Campground just off the side of the road in a beautiful pine forest. We woke up a bit on the chilly side, our water having frozen, ate a quick breakfast and descended the awesome 14 miles into Three Way...

We rode swiftly into Safford, then 9 miles further to Pima where we hung out in the park with four girls who had a million and one questions about our trip, our bikes, our gear and our food. They all had pretty awesome bikes themselves and raced around the park as we prepared noodles. That night we decided to pitch our tent on the emerald green lawn between the fire station and library.

"It will be much easier to drive our tent pegs into the soft turf than it would in the crispy yellow grass of the municipal park a few meters away." we thought. It certainly was easier and at 4:00am, we found out why... The sprinkler system didn't get us wet but it did make a ridiculous racket as it splashed against the walls of our tent, startling us both out of a deep sleep. So, remember folks: when the grass is green in Arizona, always ask why.

The following day began slowly as we had plans to cycle about forty miles to Peridot. A tailwind and shining sun made us decide to go a bit further to Globe, where we met up with Larry and Susan Hansen. These fine folks cycled from Arizona up to Canada with four of their eight children back in 1999 and we saw the video to prove it.





The following day was possibly one of the most beautiful cycling days we have experienced. After an arduous climb out of Globe, we thouroughly enjoyed the 14 mile descent into Superior... We cycled through canyons and saw Hudus.








We also biked through a short but frightening tunnel just before getting into Superior. Going down does not last as long as going up but some of those moments are certainly worth the climb...

After this awesome day of cycling, we landed in Apache Junction in the stunning home of Kit, her husband John ( who turns 23 years old today! Happy Birthday John!) and their dog Sophie. Kit, Queen of the Desert, is a walking, talking encyclopedia about all the plants, insects, birds, snakes and everything else that grows and lives in the Senoran Desert. Like the saguaros which surround her home, we were soaking up every last little drop of cool information she had to share with us. We also did some bird watching and heard the yelping coyotes latter on that evening as we were watching the sun set...

From Kit's, we cycled through the beginnings of Phoenix towards Cynthia, Tom and Damon's house. To find out about that, you will have to wait for Arizona, Part 2...where Team Ontario visits the Grand Canyon, only to learn that, even in Arizona, it can get quite cold!