Day 12 - Safford, AZ to Lordsburg, NM

Today was another 77 mile day through some rather desolate geography. We had some long climbs but not with a lot of elevation involved. We exited AZ and entered New Mexico. Some things I noticed right away about the change in states; we lost an hour as we passed into Mountain time, so you should see these posts a little earlier now that we're an hour closer; the New Mexico roads (at least the one we were on) were definitely the roughest roads we have encountered for a main state highway; the scenery seems to be less impressive than Arizona, but we're only about 25 miles in; and instead of the majestic saguaro cactus we saw in AZ, NM seems to have a different (not as nice) version of cactus (see pictures). Today, for the first time on the trip, we saw hints of a tailwind. In the morning the tailwind consisted merely of an absence of wind, which is as good as it gets without a tailwind. In the afternoon we had a fairly strong crosswind with a little tailwind included. It made for a strong finish to one of our longer days so far. My tail bone is starting to feel the effects of over 650 miles of riding. I put yet another seat on my bike today hoping to alleviate some of the discomfort. That helped greatly although I'm probably going to start having to use some sort of ointment to help. Ah, the little details that can really make or break a trip.

We really have some interesting people in this trip, which I alluded to in earlier posts. Richard and Rosie are from Fowler, MI. They are a rather unassuming couple who blend pretty easily into the background. However, as we took the opportunity to share a bit of our lives with each other last week, we discovered that Richard and Rosie are in the cattle and dairy business. In Michigan, they milk 4000 cows each day! Then they have over 2500 head of beef cattle on a ranch in Colorado! Fortunately, they were able to take time to go on the trip because they have 2 sons and a son-in-law who help manage the farms in their absence. To look at them you would never guess in a million years that's what they do.

We added two more people to the trip yesterday and today who will ride with us for a few days. Coach allows guests and former Wheels alumni to ride portions of the trip when we are passing close to where they live. It adds a little variety to the trip, which is good. I am hoping my friend Adam will be able to ride with me when we get closer to Camden, AL. He lives in Montgomery and Camden is as close as we get to him.

Devotional Thought:

Coach shared the story of his personal friendship with Stuart Hamblen, a hard living cowboy singer who was converted to Christ during Billy Graham's first Los Angeles Crusade. After his conversion, Hamblen wrote over 200 songs. The one he is most well known for is "It Is No Secret What God Can Do". I remember the song vividly and found myself humming the tune and singing what words I remembered throughout the day. That helped pass the time on the bike in a very constructive way! If you're interested in the words, take a look below. Simple words and maybe even a little hokey for more sophisticated believers but very powerful nonetheless: 

The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through.

Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength your courage to renew.

Do not be disheartened, I have news for you.

It is no secret what God can do, what he's done for others he'll do for you.

With arms wide open, he'll pardon you, it is no secret what God can do.

There is no night for in his light you'll never walk alone.

Always feel at home, wherever you may roam.

There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side.

Just take him at his promise, don't run away and hide.

It is no secret what God can do, what he's done for others he'll do for you.

With arms wide open he'll pardon you, it is no secret what God can do.