January 19, 2013: Great to wake up this morning when my body told me it was ready to, at 7 a.m. At that time, it was 21 degrees in Lordsburg, NM, which meant a leisurely morning waiting for the thermometer to rise to a point where it would be safe and comfortable to ride the motorcycles to our next destination — El Paso, TX.
We had breakfast in our hotel and enjoyed visiting with the Brownings, from my home state of ND. They are Bismarck residents who are spending a few weeks in Arizona. Then we chatted with a man from Arkansas who was in the area to get medical treatment for his wife. Talking with people from around the country is one of my favorite aspects of our adventures!
When the mercury hit 40 degrees and the clock showed 10:30 a.m Mountain Time, we were packed up and on the road – I-10 East to be exact. The sun was warm on our backs and we had prepared for these temps by packing and wearing layers that could be peeled off as the temp rose throughout the day.
Halfway between Lordsburg and Deming, NM, we crossed the Continental Divide at an elevation of about 4,500 feet. The desert has lots more native vegetation than Northwest Arizona, which we traveled on Leg 1 back in November, but the sand is still very unstable. We saw many highway signs warning us that zero visibility was possible due to high winds and blowing sand. Fortunately, the winds were light and the weather was friendly to these adventurers!
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The bikes actually grumbled a bit about starting in 37 degree weather!
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Layers and more layers!
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At the rest area near Continental Divide on I-10 East between Lordsburg and Deming NM
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Rest area
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Rest area – keep your boots on!
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Colorful is commonplace in NM
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rest area
We stopped in Deming to top off the gas tanks and eat lunch at La Fonda, which the gas station attendant recommended. I love Mexican food, and my Sweetheart (SH) is usually agreeable to eat anywhere he can get a decent salad, so I was happy to follow up on that recommendation. The lunch buffet looked and smelled de-lish, but unfortunately they put flour in all their sauces, so the pickin’s were pretty slim for this gluten-free girl.
Although disappointed by a pretty plain lunch, we were delighted by a couple places in downtown Deming on Gold Avenue. The main business street that we rode into and through town had a lot of shuttered businesses, but downtown appeared to have a number of cute shops. I enjoyed my latte and SH his mocha (our “usuals” when we can find them!) in a Christian bookstore called The Wayfinder. After catching up with the world, thanks to The Wayfinder’s free WiFi, we stopped into a little boutique down the street on the way back to our bikes. I found my souvenir of the trip – a beautiful black wrap. But apparently the real reason we were drawn to the shop was the deeply touching conversation we had with the young woman shopkeeper – all about blessings and gratitude.
We avoid freeways on our adventures whenever possible, so we continued the day’s journey on NM Hwy 11, south of Deming, before turning east on NM Hwy 9, which would take us the remaining distance to El Paso. There is some agruculture in this area, including some kind of orchards – I’m going to research what types of trees they were – perhaps nuts?
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La Fonda in Deming, NM
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Sticker in La Fonda – what the . . . ?!
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A great place to hang out with excellent lattes and fast Wi-Fi!
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At the border
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At the border
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At the border
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Yikes – at the border
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More border
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More border
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A long wall along the border
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Weird billboard – dentistry is a big thing to advertise at the border?
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Happy to be on the U.S. side of the border
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The view looking toward the U.S. from the border
We took a little side trip a few miles further south to take a peek at the United States / Mexico border. It was interesting and a little unnerving to see all the border patrol measures and activity. That whole area, all the way to El Paso, was crawling with border patrol SUVs, a blimp monitoring the area, radar stations in the middle of the desert terrain, etc.
We reached the El Paso city limits about 4 p.m., a little surprised at how large the urban area is, including the more industrial Juarez, Mexico, across the river. I’ve never liked city freeway driving on my motorcycle, and it’s even less enjoyable when I’m in unfamiliar territory. However, I am proud of the fact that I’m now a competent biker in these conditions, after only three years of riding. I’m happy to have grown beyond “terrified” when riding in heavy freeway traffic!
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T is for Texas – and Tomboy Tam!
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Tomboy Tam and her Sweetheart and fellow adventurer
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Bikes with wheel locks ON in this neighborhood
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The view from our motel room – Jaurex Mexico, across the river from El Paso.
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Zoomed view from hotel
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Denny’s was a great place for breakfast – steps from motel.
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View of Jaurez at night
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Carlos & Mickey’s – live music.
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Great energy and curiosities at Carlos & Mickey’s
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Barber chairs and women sipping the outstanding margheritas
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Tomboy Tam and her Sweetheart enjoying a night out.
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A second live band at Carlos & Mickey’s
We found our La Quinta near the airport without mishap – again very grateful,for our excellent helmet communicators! After locking up and covering the bikes, we rested, showered, and then took the hotel staff’s recommendation and their shuttle service to Carlos & Mickey’s Fine Mexican Dining. I loved this place! Live music, high energy, great people watching and fabulous food! I enjoyed a margarita and SH a Corona as we chatted with two Army guys who are here attending the Academy while we waited for a table. My chili-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jumbo shrimp were delectable and SH didn’t leave a crumb on his plate, so I’m assuming he was equally satisfied with his Steak Rancheros.
In all, a wonderful day of sights, sounds and sun! Tomorrow we will be El Paso tourists.
Hasta la vista! Love, Tomboy Tam
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