We were ready to go at six o’clock this morning, but the cowboy cantina across the street did not open until seven and we needed nourishment for the ride.  Feeling much more refreshed this morning, we were able to enjoy the restaurant’s decor, sense of humor and good eats…….these cowboys can cook up some grub!  Now it’s time to ride.

Same forecast as yesterday, but today we were fully loaded with water and mentally prepared to face the wind, we only hoped our legs were up for the challenge.  It was a nice pedal out of Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O’Connor’s hometown, especially since we were protected from the wind for the first mile.  But the wind was waiting as we turned the corner and assumed our southeast trek.  We left the green farmland as the Gila River and our route separated.  Six miles out, we crossed into New Mexico and the Mountain Time Zone; Ennui Morricone’s theme song to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” eerily played in our heads.

The wind maintained a strong 20 mph blow, but today it threw in super strong gusts, often bringing us to a stand still.  Once again, after two hours of riding we had climbed 500 feet and only come 13 miles; an hour later seven more miles….the wind was wearing us down. Shortly after noon, we found a hitching post to rest our tired bikes, but in the hot blow of the wind and the seering sun, it was not very comfortable.  By mile 30, the temps were in triple digits, the hot gusts seemed to blow right through us, sucking any moisture with it and the road would not end.We crawled into town hitting the first place to eat we could find.  A cheeseburger, ice tea, chocolate sundae and chocolate milkshake, slowly brought us back to life.

There is not much to this tired town, including a restaurant close to the hotel.  Unfortunately, we had to get back on the bikes to ride to dinner.  It was Cincho de Mayo and we were determined to redeem our Mexican dinner from earlier in the week with a good meal and Margarita; still searching.  On our way to dinner, however, we learned that the Interstate (runs through the town) had been closed due to high winds……no wonder we were so spent.  Only 38 miles logged today, but it felt like 380 miles.  If the wind is blowing in our face tomorrow, we are taking the day off.