Here is info on Tombstone from the beloved staff Frances:
Day 11. Welcome to Tombstone, The Town Too Tough to Die!!
That was a sloppy copy from screenshots. It is 3 am I am still on EST and do not know my way around files on the iPhone. Sorry.
Today is 73 miles with 3800 feet climbing. This will take me ALL day. My photos and sag stops and sprinkling the bushes add up to a long day. I hope I get to the fun sights, Main St and Boothill cemetery before our rib eye dinner. I know. Here are glamour shots from Catalina with my eating partner Larry B.
Here are the hardest working kids in bike touring The Wolf Pack. They do a tremendous amount of heavy lifting, tent city up and down, luggage, air mattress filling, top offs etc etc etc. They sleep in the uhaul.
This is Joanne a staff member from Canada. She must go home now and hopefully not quarantine, her border is closing.
Do you think she is my beloved D’s doppelgänger ?
Thinking of all of you, feel the Bubba love and be safe.
Today is a rest day in Oro Valley. The local Chiropractor and massage therapist are tip top notch. If you are in this area and need a tuneup here you go.
At lunch there was a speaker from a non profit that is harvesting back yard fruit and surplus and educating/ assimilating immigrants from Africa. We tried cactus buds, pomelo, Meyer lemon and on and on.
Chef Ann is to the right. New Mexico and Texas we are headed your way and are hungry all day please leave something on the shelf for Ms. Ann.
Here are some shots of the view, I believe that is the waterfall. It’s too hot to walk there now but I had great intentions.
Is this heaven ? No it’s Iowa, oooops Arizona.
Almost time to eat again. Getting a massage, buying butt powder and cleaning a chain is hard work. Look at Flo Rida in her Sunday best.
Today we left Casa Grande and rode 63 miles to Catalina State Park in Oro Valley AZ. The scenery was stunning. Most of the morning we headed towards Picacho Peak. There was some locally grown Pima cotton on the side of the road:
The depth and detail of the mountains just doesn’t capture in a photo. It is so fun to see a shape on the horizon and pedal for 2-3 hours and get up right next to it and see the details.
The sag stop was at a travel plaza with snacks and gifts and gourmet treats. This is NOT a joke.
The season and/or the heavy rain had things popping.
From the second sag stop it was a great ride toward the Catalina mountains and a bike path with blooms everywhere.
This lonely little water tower was a leg stretch break. It has a stories to tell I bet.
Did you know they did a second biosphere ? Is that a good virus hunker place ? We are continuing East self contained spending almost all time outside and are healthy. Anyone with a symptom is taken for a check. Fresh air sunshine and lots of sanitizer.
Another set of mountains provided the afternoon delight
How about this blooming desert !!! Terry Lisa recently passed too soon is with me every mile in spirit.
The bike path to the camp was breathtaking.
The campground is right next to the mountains with trails and views everywhere. Today I hope to hike to the waterfall, after a Chiro visit and massage.
Hey this mileage is courtesy of Dr C and Ms Dana, my structural engineers back home.
Glamping Bubba style
Ann the chef continues to provide a feast all day. Last night was Middle Eastern with ice cream sundaes with a 5 gallon bucket of real whipped cream. Today a rest day is rumored to be over the top. I am posting this a bit late there is very little signal here.
A few days ago in Dateland Perfection today
Life is good however I will pass on the scorpion candy. This post has taken 14 hours to upload sooooo here is a sample of brunch. No worries lunch is in 2 hours.
All is well here, love to all, Thank you for following.
Here is the 411 on the Tucson area from Professor Frances our wonderful staff member. Thank you Frances.
The Tucson Rodeo Parade is the largest non-motorized parade in the world. 2. With 350 days of sunshine a year, Tucson is literally the sunniest city in the United States. 3. Tucsonans dream of Genie: Barbara Eden was born here in 1931. 4. Aside from the Amazon Rainforest, Tucson is home to more bird species than any other region on earth. 5. American Quarter Horse Racing as we know it in the United States began at Rillito Downs in the 1940s. 6. A 1970 article in “Life Magazine” referred to Speedway Blvd. as the ugliest street in America due to the prevalence of large signage there. 7. Since the “Life Magazine” article led to the loss of a great many classic local neon signs, the Tucson Sign Code was amended in 2011 to incentivize the preservation of the same signs Tucson sought to be rid of four decades earlier. 8. The University of Arizona allowed female students to study medicine in the 1890s, long before it was common practice to do so. 9. Though you won’t see him wandering Fourth Ave., Justin Beiber is said to own several acres of land near Marana, AZ. 10. The Arizona State Museum on the University of Arizona Campus is home to the world’s largest and most well-documented collection of Southwest Indian pottery.
Good lord willing and the creek don’t rise it sounds fabulous.
It was a beautiful ride through the Sonora Desert. The suguaro cactus is enchanting. I want to hug one and bring one home.
I had a slow slog to sag 1. After a PB pickle with chips my pep picked up. The long downhill and authentic Mexican lunch helped put the burners on to finish in Casa Grande. Our campground is flooded so we are at a hotel 3 to a room in Casa Grande. Since I was bringing up the rear today not too many pics.
Sad face Beth got a flat. Her pal Shannon has had 3. Well it is Friday the 13th.
Coming into town the rain picked up to the point of cars making 6 foot waves in the puddles over our heads. Then the hail started. Our little gang of 3 Larry electric B, Tom Vermont and I have memories that will last a lifetime. There were hugs and tears by me. Men on e bikes do not cry.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring. This rain and the virus has us inside out.
Here are the local facts from staff info expert Frances :
According to historian David Leighton, during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, a Japanese-American relocation camp was set up outside of Casa Grande, known as the Gila River War Relocation Center. Two notable people that were interned there were future actor Pat Morita and baseball player Kenichi Zenimura, who constructed a baseball field and set up a league in the relocation camp.
During the Cold War, Casa Grande was the location of the Corona Satellite Calibration Targets. These targets consisted of concrete arrows located in and to the south of the city, which calibrated satellites of the Corona spy program.
The economy of Casa Grande was historically based on rural, agricultural industries such as cotton and dairy farms. Over time, the city has become home to many Phoenix or Tucson urbanites who own homes in Casa Grande. Most residents either commute north to work in the Phoenix metropolitan area, or to the south, to work in Tucson. This trend has contributed to growth in the service industry of Casa Grande. Many new businesses such as restaurants, gas stations, and retail outlets are opening throughout the city in order to keep up with demand from the growing population.– Frances
We hit the soggy road and I tried my new Showers Pass rain gear and it is terrific.
It was a roadside Marvel. Shannon had flat #3 and Coach the mechanic was ON it.
Today we rode on the I-8 shoulder for 35 miles out of the 53 total.
Lunch was WOW
Into the magnificent KOA overnight I saw the world’s largest steer. He was SITTING down.
The campground has cactus and great Mountain View’s.
For those new to bike touring here you go:
The food aspect is a Bubba pamper touch courtesy of Chef Ann.
We had a great lecture by a local professor Steve Bass that also bikes and runs across the USA.
After this great presentation and I had posted I had a complete mattress fai lure that was made right in the blink of an eye and the most spectacular lightning display imaginable started. It was sensational. The sound of the pouring rain was intoxicating in my third try at a dry tent. The wolf pack fellow gave me his and slept in the U haul.
Here is a quote from rider Tom toothpick S
Rain, thunder & lightning. And we’re in tents. And we’re intense.
Terry is living the trip one memory at timeYes pie goes perfect with beans and rice and eggsFrenchToast side of bike
We ended up at a muddy campground in Dateland. Bubba claims this town is the origin of Tinder and Match.com.
The seat took a beating
The Medjool dates are world famous.
Tha salad bowl was muddy and damp and lettuce was being shipped out and the date and cactus shakes were fabulous,
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We went. 70 miles from Yuma to Dateland today . This postva bit scattered due to some rain in camp and a failure of my tent. Fingers crossed the sustitute tent holds.
The ride had no rain but skies looked moist all day long.
Here is your Yuma info
Dateland
Don`t forget to get a Date Shake! (hint: Unless you like VERY sweet shakes, ask for half the date syrup!)
During the 1940’s, Dateland Arizona was the site for two of General Patton’s desert training camps, Camp Horn and Camp Hyder. In addition, in 1942, three airstrips were built here in Dateland for training B25 Bombers. Unfortunately, the airfields were only utilized for about two months. The buildings that were built for the airstrips were later used as part of an Italian internment camp. Of course, all of the buildings are long gone, but the airstrips, and many of the original foundations are still in existence.
At one time, there was a hot springs located in Agua Caliente, just a few miles from Dateland. It was considered an exclusive resort, and was visited by many of the famous movie stars of that generation. But, eventually, the hot springs dried up due to the tremendous amount of agriculture in the valley.
In 1965, when Interstate 8 was built to replace old Highway 80, Dateland moved about a block north of its original location. The old building stood for many years, until it was finally torn down in 1997. All of the original pieces of the business still exist, the cafe, the gift shop, the gas station, the RV Park, and the Date Grove. The local community has grown a bit on the north side of the interstate, and we now have an elementary school that currently has an enrollment of around 150 students.
Enjoy, tomorrow we ride to Gila Bend and camp.
Love to all
NW
Because of the hot desert environment, the military still uses the Dateland area for periodic training. Many of the American troops that were in Iraq, or who have been to Afghanistan, have spent some time training here in Dateland.
Today was a long 65 mile day to Yuma. It rains 4 days a year here and this was the day for 2 hours in the morning and a deluge after the poorly planned attitude adjustment beverage at 56/65 mile mark. As always the sag was over the top.
We had a stop to tour the Center of The World. The lovely Mary worked very hard to make a delicious lunch. There are no words to describe this place. Granite inscribed plaques giving one man’s take on all things plus a chapel.
After a well deserved cold beverage at the Prison Brewery …. the rain restarted. There was a missed turn and our little posse of fun finally found the overnight. Drowned rats thoroughly enjoyed hot showers and a roof at the armory.
A highlight of the day was Steve Nebraska had a difficult flat 1/2 mile from the mechanic at the sag stop. The wheel was sent ahead, repaired and sent back so Steve would not miss a single inch of his C2C.
A note about Calexico last night. We heard tremendous stories of courage and determination from the families and staff at the mission school and enjoyed a meal served by the kids.
Here was dinner complete with local vegetables.
Tomorrow we continue East. Ann continues to surpass 5 star Michelin ratings, every detail is divine,
Here is your 411 on Yuma -the winter vegetable capital of the world. The vegetables are very tasty.
Yuma
In 1929, the famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart ran off the end of the runway in Yuma while competing in the first Women’s Air Derby from Santa Monica, Calif., to Cleveland (Earhart had a new propeller flown in, continued the race and finished third).
By 1949, with Yuma’s postwar economy looking a bit grim, the Yuma Jaycees decided to stage an elaborate publicity stunt to spotlight the area’s year-round perfect flying weather: an attempt to set a record for nonstop flying.
The plane was an Aeronca Sedan named the “City of Yuma” and emblazoned with the hopeful slogan “The City With A Future.” The small plane took off on August 24 and did not touch the ground again for nearly 47 days – until October 10, 1949.
The record-setting 1,124 hours aloft was made possible by a team of volunteers who passed food and fuel to pilots Woody Jongeward and Bob Woodhouse from the back of a Buick convertible as it sped along the runway at 80 miles an hour, with the plane flying just above it and matching speeds.
Larry Butterworth working the shower capCollege applications acceptedThis was the result of the quality controls session at Prison Hill Brewery We got caught in the rain
Today was another exhilarating day. They say one of the easiest. It was a chilly start (34’) with a looong downhill through gorgeousness. If you do this route watch for the fork in the road.
The red rock was fabulous. The vistas did not stop.
Zoom in on the cactus
Marina and I had many laughs today. She is a bandanna aficionado and can now navigate all outdoor personal hygiene scenarios. Congrats.
The first rest stop was also the home of a champion moto cross racer. Coco Bean won the day for best outfit and Johanne had everything under control.
The second rest stop had some history with The Impossible Hill. Thank you Bubba we did not ride up it. Flat road little wind. Yes.
The flowers went for miles AND smelled great. Other riders do not verify this, perhaps it was the remnants of my deodorant.
These palms did not shed their old growth and were super chunky
The pioneers left behind a nice wagon.
Arrival into Calexico was…..delicious. We are staying at a mission school directly across from the border road entrance. The town has thrown down a welcome mat.
Here is your Area 411 :
Calexico
Calexico (population of about 40,000) began as a tent city of the Imperial Land Company; it was founded in 1899, and incorporated in 1908. The Imperial Land Company converted desert land into a fertile setting for year-round agriculture. The first post office in Calexico opened in 1902.
1997 film The Game starring Michael Douglas; some scenes in Mexicali were shot through the chain link fence (camera and crew in Calexico) between the US and Mexico.
The town is featured in the series Knight Rider during the episode “The Mouth of The Snake”. Michael Knight travels there to meet with the widow of a murdered federal lawyer.
In the episode of Defiance, “The Serpent’s Egg”, the lawkeeper travels to Calexico.
On ABC’s hit show Modern Family, the main characters travel to Calexico in search of a child to adopt where the city’s people and environment are exaggerated with stereotypes for comedic effect.
The town is mentioned in first episode of Narcos: Mexico (which was originally intended to be the fourth season of the Netflix original series Narcos). The TV series Narcos: Mexico portrays Enrique Camarena, DEA agent and Calexico High School alumnus, amongst its main characters.
The 2007 independent film Descension was filmed in Calexico
For those interested in the Mexico border town Mexicali, Mexico: Mexicali (population of about 1 million) maintains a highly educated and skilled population, as it has modernized and become an important population center in the desert region.Mexicali’s economy has been historically based on agricultural products, and they remain a large sector of the economy. However, its economy has gradually gone from being agricultural to include industry, mainly maquiladoras—duty-free factories in which parts from the United States are imported, assembled, and then returned to the United States as finished products. International companies including Honeywell, GKN Aerospace, Kellogg’s, Gulfstream, UTC Aerospace Systems, SunPower, Rockwell Collins, LG Electronics, National Oilwell Varco, Mitsubishi, Autolite, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Robert Bosch, and Goodrich Corporation have built maquiladora plants in the city.Mexicali became the national center for the aerospace industry in Mexico when Rockwell Collins established an operation there in 1966. Rockwell Collins is the oldest company under the maquiladora program nationwide.Founded on March 14, 1903, Mexicali is situated on the Mexico–United States border adjacent to its sister city Calexico, California, with which it forms a dual-state, international population center, Calexico–Mexicali.
The attention to detail on this tour is extraordinary. Not only can you get a custom wrap at the sag, there is choice of chunky or smooth PB. I am currently the #1 fan of chunky with pickle and a drop of Nutella with chips smashed on top. No worries- an hour later we find another culinary sensation. The ginormous salad above ? 7.99.
Thank you for following, continue flooding heaven with thoughts of sunshine and tailwind.
Love to all from Calexico.
P.S. It took me 1/2 of riding with my deep thoughts to understand the town is California and Mexico merged. Across the way is Mexicali. I will let you figure that one out. Some of us were truly born yesterday.
Today we rode Alpine CA to Jacumba 46 miles with 5000’ vertical. The first 18 miles I averaged a robust 7 mph. It was beautiful. The second most beautiful was the sag stop at mile 18. I did copy the Dutch rider Ruud and “take a coffee and apple pie “ at mile 17.5. He sprinted up the road and suggested I ride on the smoother part of the road. I must have been weaving with hallucinations of a PB and pickle tortilla. After a wonderful refresh with lots of snacks the second half of the ride was great. We rode through Pine Valley and for the All My Children Soap Opera fans-we heard Erica Kane is on her 23rd marriage. Earlier on Elizabeth B and I chatted up a fellow driving the Southern Tier from Alaska. We found out how to ferry from WA to Skagway and tent on the boat and bike at each stop.
Oh Bless her heart !!! Georgia Peach Beth had a tire malfunction and got road angel magic. They are officially in the adventure log now ! Sunny skies, great views, downhills and the world’s best roadside sub. It was a sweet chunk of road. John and Rick and anonymous got the glamor shot today.
Below is a pic of our Chef Ann. Every bite is Amazing.
Here is the 411 on the area from our tour guide staff member.
Pine Valley
Pine Valley is named for the locally unique strand of Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) found along Pine Valley Creek, a seasonal drainage in the foothills of the Laguna Mountains in central San Diego County.
Jacumba
The Kumeyaay peoples occupied the Jacumba area prior to European settlement. They were probably attracted by the warm Jacumba hot spring (temperature 104 °F), one of many mineral hot springs in this area. Ranchers occupied the area in the 19th century.
Around the turn of the 20th century, the health and relaxation benefits of natural hot springs began to be commercialized. The Jacumba hot spring is prolific and delivered enough water to fill large public baths, the remains of which can still be seen. The water contains sulfur but has a pleasant clean smell. In 1919 rail service connected Jacumba to San Diego. By 1925 the town had a world class hotel, the Hotel Jacumba. In the 1930s, Jacumba had developed into a top destination and had a population of about 1,150. Many of the foremost movie stars and celebrities of the time regarded Jacumba as a prime destination for relaxation.
Jacumba’s role as a prime destination continued through World War II; however as the southernmost California hot spring, it began to feel competition from more northern ones, including Murrieta and Palm Springs.After the new Interstate 8 bypassed Jacumba by two miles, most of the roadside service businesses folded and the community went into economic decline.
The Jacumba Hotel closed and was destroyed in an arson fire in 1983. The ruins stouod until 1991.Today, the stub of the massive central fireplace can still be seen. The great public baths closed, the swimming pool was filled in, and the well was capped by its rights-owner.
In the 1980s, the Jacumba Motel was the only hotel facility left in Jacumba. However, the area continues to attract primarily foreign visitors and the motel has acquired rights to the spring and opened a spa. In 2002 the facility was sold with the intent of renovating it into a timeshare spa type resort. In 2006 it was resold and setup as a bed and breakfast. The facility was closed from 2010 to 2013.After a complete renovation, it was re-opened on June 28, 2013.It is in operation as the Jacumba Hot Springs Spa and Motel.
Coming into town we saw THE WALL up close. The overnight hotel has a hot spring and a perfect bartender.
A few overflow riders were housed at the Clothing Optional resort down the road. It was a very chilly afternoon so there were no takers for volleyball :))) it was exhilarating day with full clothes and pampering. Life is good.
Nanadventure 