{"id":19219,"date":"2016-04-28T19:14:34","date_gmt":"2016-04-28T23:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=19219"},"modified":"2016-04-28T19:14:34","modified_gmt":"2016-04-28T23:14:34","slug":"day-5-wednesday-april-27-blythe-california-to-salome-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=19219","title":{"rendered":"Day 5. Wednesday, April 27 – Blythe, California to Salome, Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"

Little did we know when we began, how much we would enjoy our quiet two mile bike out of town;\"DSCN0144\"<\/a>just about the only flat stretch we would experience the rest of the day. \u00a0The “climbing” began with a short walk up a dirt path \"DSCN0150\"<\/a>to the bridge that would take us over the Colorado River\"DSCN0151\"<\/a> and into Arizona.\"DSCN0166\"<\/a> A few minutes later, we had to get on the interstate for a long and loud ride with the trucks. \"DSCN0159\"<\/a>\u00a0Though the shoulder was wide, the road\/tire wire and glass kept us focused down.\"IMG_1893\"<\/a> \u00a0We crossed dry river beds,\"DSCN0168\"<\/a> saw lots of Cowboy cactus (Saguaro)\"DSCN0202\"<\/a> and enjoyed the varying hills (from a distance).\"DSCN0175\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We took advantage of every possible water and shade stop. \u00a0This rest area had exotic green trunked trees\"IMG_1891\"<\/a> and other critters \"IMG_1890\"<\/a>we’d prefer not to see.<\/p>\n

Climbing was slow but steady, even with\u00a0a 12 mile stretch on the highway;\"DSCN0177\"<\/a> it took us two hours of biking to go only 17 miles.<\/p>\n

Our return to a\u00a0quiet service road took us past\u00a0Dome Rock\"DSCN0186\"<\/a> and more beautiful desert mountains.\"DSCN0176\"<\/a> \u00a0It was only 11:00 a.m. when we choose to take advantage of a food break at a truck stop. \u00a0A good lunch and freshly iced water bottles, we returned to the interstate on our eastward trek. \u00a0The\u00a0southwest wind reminded us that, though the sun was hot, the\u00a0temps were still in the low 80’s; a very pleasant day.<\/p>\n

Blooming wild flowers,\"DSCN0197\"<\/a> exotic trees\"DSCN0184\"<\/a> and cacti,\"DSCN0171\"<\/a> wild animals \"DSCN0217\"<\/a>and continuous climbing filled our afternoon. \u00a0A short ride through a nice valley, again offered variety we were not expecting….\"DSCN0227\"<\/a>…the sign was right (look at that swirling\u00a0dust)\"IMG_1911\"<\/a>\u00a0 This couple mile flat stretch had an eire,\"DSCN0229\"<\/a> ominous feel.\"IMG_1908\"<\/a>\u00a0 But our little valley soon came to an end and once again we climbed;\"DSCN0244\"<\/a> the wind now behind us and offering a much needed boost up our last hill. \u00a0The “town” of Hope was six miles from\u00a0the end of our climbing for the day; we hoped<\/em>\u00a0this sign \"DSCN0240\"<\/a>was not an omen.<\/p>\n

Our last mile into town, left us with some misgivings \"DSCN0259\"<\/a>as to whether it was now a ghost town.\"DSCN0258\"<\/a> \u00a0But our motel, though scrappy on the outside, was clean and comfortable inside and dinner was across the parking lot and delicious.\"DSCN0263\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Our\u00a063 mile day, included three good climbs. \u00a0Still hungover from our long ride from the day before, we were (once again) exhausted……kinda felt good<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\t\t