Help Walter achieve his goal and make a donation. .10 a mile is all he's
asking for 3,000 miles. That comes out to $300.00. If you can't do
that, anything and everything is appreciated.
Click here to be redirected to San Diego Youth & Community Services website
to make your donation
May 22nd
Well, we made it back. Sorry for the lack for updates the past few
day's, but with the heat, the name of the game has been to just stay cool and
relax. 110 degrees going from Eloy, AZ to Welton, AZ, and then again the
next day with 114 degrees from Welton, AZ to Ocotillo, CA.
Today was almost a bitter sweet day. After spending close to a month on
the road and sharing the good times with Walter and Scott in a somewhat tight
quarters in the Motorhome, I almost feel as if something good has come to an
end, and it has. So a BIG Thank You to Walter Philips for giving Wheels On
Wheels this great opportunity to be part of this great adventure. And it
was from the very first day with all the Love Bugs in the air and riding 100
miles into Oberlin, TX.
May 19th
Okay, so today we finally experienced what everyone has been talking
about regarding the heat. We left Eloy, Arizona at are usual 7AM start,
but when we crossed over from New Mexico the day before, we gained an hour, so
we actually started closer to 8AM. The plan was to ride from Eloy to
Welton, only and 140 mile day. By the time it got to be 10AM, the
tempature was in the 100's already. Here it is, 6PM and the tempature is
still in the 100's. At least we're are in Welton (the new side) and for
dinner it looks like a Quizno Sub and to the bar. Finally found a real Bar
out here in Welton. I do have to admit though, the desert scenary is
really something to look at, but thank God I'm only passing through. I
still don't see the attraction to live in Tucson, Welton, or Yuma?
May 17th
In our little town of Organ New Mexico, just East of Las Cruces,
I
didn't have any connection, but other than the hills, not much really to talk
about. However, today, on our ride into Deming, New Mexico with a final
stop in Lordsburg, New Mexico, we came across this couple named Wayne and
Kristina Carpenter. This couple has traveled all over the world on their
bicycles and have some really cool stories. Check out their website at
SpokeTales.com, it's been
an amazing trip so far and the people we've met has made this trip just that
much more enjoyable. We're in the home stretch, and even though we're
still 500 or so miles from home, it seems like we're almost there considering
where Walter started.
May 15th
Well, no dinner with the Mayor tonight, in fact, I don't think there is
a Mayor of Hope, NM. About 20 miles east of Hope is the town of Asteria
which to date may have been one of the largest towns that we've been through.
So when coming in to Hope, I was "HOPING" for something a little better than
what we have. From one end of town to the other is only about three
blocks. A general store on each end, so when you come into town, you can
stop at either end and get your Coke. But the place I found to park for
the night is quite, and at this point of the trip, that's about one of the most
important things so we can all get a good night rest. Tomorrow is another
day, and we have one long pass to go over which is about 12 miles long and goes
to 8,400 feet. We'll keep you posted, so come back again tomorrow and get
the latest update.
May 14th
So today when pulling into Eunice, NM I was having troubles finding a
place to park so I finally saw a Police officer and asked. He sent me over
to the City Hall and there I talked with Cindy, and then she in turn introduced
me to the Mayor of Eunice NM, Mat White. So with having no place to park,
I am not parked in front of the Mayor's house and he has invited us to dinner
for the night. In the mean time, the local newspaper came by the Motorhome
and took our picture and will be doing an article about Walters trip. The
Reporter (Lynn) was so touched by what Walter is doing that he reached into his
pocket and gave a $100.00 donation. Dinner with the Mayor and his family
was great, really good people and we got to watch American Idol and get caught
up. So tomorrow, another day in the saddle
May 13th
From Eldorado TX, all the way to Crane, TX. Just another long day
of 129 miles and the weather was hot and humid. No Katdaddy's today, so
not much to talk about. Today is just a day of getting in from the ride,
find my local DQ for FREE wireless and send emails and do the updates.
Tomorrow we'll be out of Texas and to Eunice, New Mexico, and so far for me to
date, I've ridden 384 miles with Walter this week. Tomorrow starts a new
week for me and I'm going to see if I can't get in more.
May 12th
Left this morning from our plush RV spot in Johnson Creek, just outside
of Ingram Texas and made it to Eldorado Texas. As soon as I get into town,
I find search to find our camping site for the night. Like all other
nights, I have no idea where we'll be staying so I go to the County Court House
and see if they have some ideas? Tonight we are staying at the
Eldorado County Court house, and go figure, they have electric hook ups for the
Motorhomes. Not quite last night, be it's better than running the
generator all night. Tonight, Scott went into town and came across
Katdaddy's BBQ, great people and they handed out a donation for the cause along
with some great BBQ sandwiches for the road. Thank you Katdaddy.
May 11th
Started from Austin TX, had to drive a couple miles to get out of town
and onto the route. Today's destination is Ingram TX. After making a
quick stop in Comfort for water and food for Walter, I drove up ahead and luck
would have it that about 4 miles out of town there was this really nice RV
Parked named Johnson Creek RV Resort. You talk about luck, very quite,
clean, this club house that was renovated from an old stone house, and of
course, sitting right on Johnson Creek. After walking down to the creek, I
told Scott about it and as he went down there right at dusk, there must have
been at least 50 (that's right, fifty) deer down at the creek. When we
woke up in the morning, we saw about 10 deer run right in front of the Motor
Home. What a great spot to stay after spending the day in Austin.
Let's us know that we're back on the road heading home.
May 10th
Rest day for Walter, but found this awesome group ride of about 100
riders that leave from the shop that I shipped the bike out from. Cyclists
and Triathletes together, and meet someone that had just been to La Jolla about
3 weeks prior and did the Swami's ride. What a small world.
May 9th
Tomorrow is a rest day for Walter, so we're staying in Austin Texas for
tonight and tomorrow and then getting back on the road Sunday. Okay, this
is one of those believe it or not stories. I'm walking down the street to
the local bike shop to see about sending a bike back home to a Customer and I
see this rider pass by me and catch the red light. He's fully decked out
in Astana clothing so I figured since I new a couple of people on the Astana
Team I would give him a little bit of crap for pretending he's some big shot
rider. I catch up to him at the corner and put my hand on his should and
as soon he turns to me we both look at each other and say "What the hell you
doing here?" No shit, it was Chris Horner in town for the weekend to
attend a family wedding. Who would have thought, in the middle of Austin,
TX, I would run into Chris? Way too cool, "Believe it or Not?"
