Albuquerque is a beautiful place. It's nestled beneath a sand coloured mountain, covered all over with individual green shrubs. It sorts looks like green polka dots.
At dusk, I found myself on top of a ridge opposite the mountain. Looking down at the city nestled into the valley below was actually breathtaking.
I only wish I could take photos that would do the scene justice. Take my word for it, if you can -- this is a magical place.
The homes here tend to have, to my eye, a typical Southwest look to them. Short, mostly bungalows, in adobe style, with strong-looking walls clad in earthy tones of plaster.
The only downside is the cold. MUCH colder than I thought it would be. I guess my research failed me there. Today's high was 50 F, and it's going down close to the freezing mark tonight.
I like the fact that there's no visible smog above the city. And smoking is not allowed in hotel rooms :)
I think I'll take another walk tonight, and see if I can get some good views of the mountains.
Seriously, that was the only reason I came to this state.
But it is oh so gorgeous here!
Many people have told me that they're inspired by this journey I'm on, and that they consider what I'm doing to be challenging. Well, I'm pleased to make a difference for you.
But I'll let you in on a little secret. I know of many people doing things I can draw inspiration from.
And one of those blessed souls happened across my path today.
While riding through the phenomenal, wide-open landscapes that form this high plateau across much of New Mexico, I saw a little figure in the distance.
Folks, it's even more desolate out here than it looks.
As I got closer, I could only shake my head. It was a person with a bicycle.
Oh my! They are pushing the bike! My mind starts racing. It's been about 25 kms since I passed any sort of village of settlement. I DID pass a coyote run over the side of the road.
According to my GPS, it's another 50 kms to the next village.
The first thing you see is her huge grin!
Well, I'll be! It's a woman pushing that bike. By herself. Smack in the middle of this desert. I HAVE to pull over to chat.
So it seems Ursula (my Granny's name!) Holsbeke is riding from Alpena, Michigan to Santa Fe, New Mexico. She's only 1 day from completion now!
She's been on the road the same length of time as I, but is doing it to raise funds for Green Planet Films, a nonprofit who promotes environmental education thru films specifically about invasive species in the Great Lakes.
Wow!
She's so prepared. While chatting with me, she reached into her handlebar bag and pulled out a photocopied flyer to give me with all the details!
It gets better.
She only learned to ride a bicycle in 2008! And already has a Michigan to California trip under her belt from last year!
