Ride on

September 14/09 - Town Park, Vaughn, New Mexico
Mileage: 144 km
Total mileage: 2,904 km

Fantastic day of riding. Long gentle inclines, easy to peddle and equally long gentle descents. The whole day rolled away in that manner. The wind was to our backs, we skirted the rain showers, couldn't ask for better cycling conditions.

The day started with the hills being forested and slowly the bush disappeared. By Clines Corner at the intersection with I-40 the country had turned almost totally to rolling pasture land. Big, big ranches out here. Surprisingly the grass is tall green. I had thought it would be burnt yellow by this time of year, but no.

At Clines Corner we had a Mexican buffet. A good feed and luckily so because unknowingly we still had a long way to go.

South from Clines Corner we peddled intending to reach Encino and camp. It was a full day by the time we got there. Surprise there is nothing in Encino. Encino had obviously seen some hard times. Two closed gas stations and a main street consisting of old businesses with smashed windows, and no doors. We cycled another 26 kms to Vaughn. In Vaughn we made ourselves comfortable in the town park.

Where does the name Vaughn come from anyhow? In an area with such romantic, beautiful Latin names for towns, who thought of Vaughn? I think Vaughn must have been some crazy Anglo settler who just had to have things his own way. The other settlers must have got so sick of him that they finally said, "OK Vaughn, call the place whatever you like."

We met a fellow today as we were leaving the Santa Fe area. Our new friend Ross LewAllen had investigated our bikes outside a grocery store and shortly afterward associated them to the couple wearing black disco shorts and tap dancing shoes.

We talked with Ross for a long time. Ross, it turns out, was a pro cycle racer in the 60's and now practices Shamanic Healing in the Santa Fe area. We had lots in common and Ross was very interested in our tour.

In parting Ross gave us a Zuni Indian fetish. The fetish is a small beaver, approximately 1 1/2" carved in stone with several smaller stones on its back. Ross stated the smaller stones were rewards of the beaver. I asked him if it was a charm, and he said, "No, it is medicine." I asked him what the rewards of the beaver were and Ross smirked saying we would find out. He did say however that one of the rewards was that the beaver could build a home anywhere and be comfortable which was what we were doing. I will have to do my internet research, but I'll bet that the beaver being the hardest working animal on the planet also comes with the reward of tenacity and perseverance. Thank-you Ross. The spirit and intent that it was given with will carry us thousands of miles.

Interestingly enough, the beaver happens to be Canada's national animal and a very fitting gift for two Canadians. Also of interest, but unfortunate for the beaver, is that this little critter was responsible for the mapping of Canada and most of the United States during the early fur trade. The maps Deby and I now use to find our way through both countries. Thank God the beaver is prolific. And thank God for Archie Belainie.

*Note to self: Don't have 3 heaping plates at a Mexican buffet and then ride 74 kms. A bit of a dysentery issue arriving at the town park in Vaughn.