The only thing about riding a bike from Portland to Phoenix is that in-between there is something called... NEVADA.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas in Vegas

Waking in a desert wash to overcast balmy weather, the previous day's flight from Tonopah like a strange dream, we soon hit the road to polish off the last 80 miles to Las Vegas. In just three miles we came upon an alien rest stop, where we met people from both Seattle and Tucson. With a headwind developing and many miles yet to travel we left reluctantly, wondering what the south desert had in store. Ten or fourteen miles later, after a slow climb up a gentle hill, yellow roadside flowers called us to a stop. Discovering a butterfly, grasshopper, cacti, several mysterious shrubs, flowering creosote, and rocky ground warmed by sunshine, we were satisfied that we had found desert, at last. After cloud and sunshine admiring, the energy to push on was found to be critically lacking, unable to be restored even by 86% cacao dark chocolate. Maybe someone traveling south... with a pick-up... it is Christmas after all... Still in the desert brush, I threw my thumb at a passing white truck, and seconds later we had our ride. Manny, going to Las Vegas to visit his family, gave us a quick lift and a fabulous Christmas present. Thank you!
We spent the next few hours remarking on the city environment, eating at an amazing Thai restaurant, wandering around the lobby of the hotel, and planning tomorrow - a rest day!

3 comments:

  1. Glad you got another ride! Thanks Manny! I really love that there have been so many kind souls that you have encountered on your adventure :)
    Where are you staying? I am also glad you are taking another day to rest and recuperate for the next "leg" of your trip. Eat & rest well and have fun with your "study in debauchery"!!! Looking forward to hearing all about it :)

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  2. Sounds like a good Christmas to me. Hope you're enjoying the city, but I'll bet after a day or so, you'll be ready for the open desert again! Do you have a route planned?

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  3. will you be posting photos of vegas and yeah sounds like a great christmas wow I look forward everyday to reading your blog

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