Day 42: El Paso to Las Cruces

March 28, 2025

Rode about 5 miles on this bike path. I saw lots of rabbits.

Image not found :( — This is in New Mexico. It was disappointing that there was not a sign indicating when we crossed over. The road was nice, the traffic light, and the drivers were patient.

There were lots of pecan groves. This one was unusual as it was not dry and dusty.

Guadalupe Mountains and lots of farms in the foreground.

In La Mesilla. I think it is the old part of Las Cruces, but it might be a separate town.

The chile capital of the world.These were hanging in the square.

Sewage settling pond below our campsite. I'm glad the wind is blowing from the North.

The wind seemed to stir up a lot of dust that obscured the mountains

Last night I went to bed about 8:30 and woke up at 6:00. I was awake a few times, but felt really rested. I ate the usual breakfast and packed a ham and Swiss sandwich for lunch. The van didn't meet us so I carried it in my bag. It was in the 50s so I wore a vest, shorts, a long sleeve shirt, the neck gaiter, and thin socks. I took the vest off pretty soon and stuffed it under my shirt. I left at about 7:55. It is a lot easier to get ready when you don't have to put away tent, sleeping pad, etc.

My legs and rear end felt good. I wore the Salsa shorts. There was about a block on North Mesa, which was plenty busy. After that we were on smaller roads. After about 3 miles we got on a bike path along the Rio Grande. I missed the turn to get onto it and had to double back a few hundred feet. It was concrete and vegetation had grown in the cracks, so it was a little bumpy, but way better than chip seal. The route followed the path for about 5 miles. After that we got on some small country roads, I think New Mexico 28. I missed the transition from Texas to New Mexico. I don't think there was a sign, but I could tell that I was in NM because the road signs changed. The road was low traffic and through a rural agricultural area. There were lots of pecan groves, fields of hay and maybe alfalfa, etc. The drivers seemed very patient.

I stopped at about 25 miles at a small grocery store and got a payday and a bottle of water to fill my water bottle. I stopped again in La Messila, about 7 miles before the end. There is a nice plaza there with some vendors, etc. It is a place that would be nice to visit with a car. I think it is part of Las Cruces, perhaps the old city, but I am not sure. I did not eat my sandwich until we got to our campground, which was I think not long after noon. I had a nice call with Ethan. Richie and Sarah called just before dinner and it was also nice to talk to them.

We are staying at a very nice KOA tonight. It is the nicest campground we have stayed at in terms of facilities, etc. The only bad thing is that it was at the top of a hill into the wind. JF and BD cooked tonight. They made a nice fruit salad as an appetizer and quinoa and a lentil stew for dinner. It was good and I am full. We saw a road runner in the campground as we were waiting for dinner.

Tomorrow our ride is about 59 miles. It is flat and the wind looks good in the morning. It gets stronger in the afternoon. I am cooking with JW and we are going to shop in Hatch, at about mile 35. We are going to make a hearty Taco Soup.

Today's ride: 44 miles (71 km)
Total: 2,142 miles (3,447 km)

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Kelly IniguezAlert - alert! Hatch is the green chili capitol of the world. Sparky's has "the beset green chili burgers in the universe", says a friend of mine. Blair says there will be a line out the door, but you absolutely need to eat there before leaving town. When will you be back again?

side note - have you tried a salted nut roll instead of a Payday? The center in the salted nut roll is more marshmallow/softer, and I think there are more nuts on the outside.
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1 week ago

Eric FreyTo Kelly IniguezYou are exactly right, as my photos tomorrow will show. Most people stopped at Sparky's and it looked great. However, I was on cooking duty and had to shop. The wind was really getting strong, and I didn't want to fight it with a chili cheeseburger in my stomach. I hope to come back again to explore this area with my wife in our van.

I will see if I can find a salted nut roll. Most of the convenience stores I stopped in, especially in the less populated areas we have been in for quite a while, have very few options without chocolate (which gives me migraines). Paydays area. consistent option. I like white Reese's cups, but they are less common and often sold only in king size.
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4 days ago