Thats gotta be named “camelBack mountain in the background! Great picture for sure. Spoon

Thanks, Kelly. I just ordered a pair. Interesting that they might have a cooling effect when it's hot. Also interesting that it might be easier to hear - hear talking, anyway - with them on - when I wear my banded ear warmers, they definitely block most sounds, such as a dry chain.

Jeff

Considering the scientific name, (Cucurbita foetidissima) I'd think they stink rain or shine.

Who knows... I had a friend in AZ who used them for walking sticks. Lightweight, but seemed rather bulky to my hands.

I rode a section of the Central Highway in 2017 and also 2020. I remember seeing a lot of Walmart semis. Oddly.

Doing a Google search right now, I see the cranes are in residence all winter and we went right past them. I guess you have to make a point to turn in?

We were supposed to go to Elfrida, which adds miles and goes past Gleeson ghost town. It is raining as we speak. I might change my route for the shortest possible!

I saw some little purple flowers yesterday. I kept thinking I would photo the next clump, when I wasn’t on a downhill, or whatever the excuse of the moment. I didn’t see any today. Still excited to see flowers this time of year! I’m
Also happy we weren’t here during the monsoon!

I thought perhaps someone wanted it as decoration. I find the dried seed pods on the too attractive. But they left the stalk. ???

I did see a few areas with last year’s dried up gourds also. If I see any today, do you suppose they will still smell in the rain?

Wayne

You didn’t go to Douglas? Whose photos do I remember?

It is 6 AM and raining in Tombstone, according to my phone. Our room is tucked away under an overhang. I can’t actually see if it’s raining or not. My next move is looking at the weather radar

I can see Jacinto waiting it out until the rain passes. Except for the wind. Oh boy! This seemed like such a good idea. Next time we will check the weather before making a non refundable motel reservation!

I planned to go to Douglas during my SE Arizona tour, but never did go there. I look forward to seeing your photos from Douglas. Few cyclists go there.

You’re going to Douglas! You must be cutting across east on Davis Road. We took that ride to Souglas two winters ago and stayed at the Gadsden Hotel for two nights before biking back to Bisbee and then Sierra Vista. If you can fit it in, turn off Davis, ride south on the Central Highway, and check out the sandhill cranes at Whitewater Draw: https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/2020part1/to-douglas/.

Scott,

We've ridden Mule Pass twice. Once all the way from Benson in June - that was a hot slog and not a good experience. Once from Tombstone, in November. The temperatures and distances were far more inviting.

However - we've had a change of plans. Go back and read the end of the journal entry for today.

Jeff,

I agree - wearing a banded ear warmer eventually gives me a headache. When I originally bought the Earbags, I thought for sure I would lose them, so I bought two pairs. Amazingly, I kept pair #1 for about ten years. I lost one shoveling snow, of all things. You would think I could find a black earbag on white snow . . . . I had done such a good job keeping track of pair #1, that I didn't know where pair #2 went to. I ordered a leopard patterned pair the next time, thinking they might be easy to find.

You are probably interested in the actual review. They fit well, and don't fall off unless I catch one with my sunglasses. If I wear them all day long, I do get a little pressure area at the top of my ear. But, it is nothing like wearing a headband.

I've been told that they are good in the summer also, with a cooling effect if you wet them down before putting them on. I've never tried that. I do wear mine in the wind in the summer, as my ears hurt when the wind blows hard.

Gloria says that she can hear better with hers on, that the earbags block the wind, but not someone talking.

Give them a try!

Quote Kelly: “ I love riding in wide open spaces”. Gal I can’t wait to get you to ride with me in wester Oklahoma,,,

spoon

You’re staying at the Larian Motel! We stayed there five years ago and thought it was a fine place. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the ride south to Mule Pass - we’ve never ridden that whole stretch either time we stayed in Tombstone. We biked down Charleston Road once though, and thought it was fine.