Wednesday, November 10, 2010

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

Mining Reclamation Project - Tyrone New Mexico


Wednesday 11-10-10. Last night the temperature in Silver City dropped to 22. By 7am this morning, it was 28 and had reached 36 when we left the motel wearing our winter finery. The forecast predicted a high of 56 and a headwind of 10mph. We headed south on Hwy 90 hoping for warmer weather after crossing the Continental Divide and dropping to the floor of the desert in Hidalgo County on our way to Lordsburg N.M. We had a series of descents and climbs after leaving Silver City with views of mountainsides, peaks, and ridges. We climbed over the Divide at 6,355' and experienced several more ups and downs before the highway dropped straight as an arrow to the desert below. Even with a headwind, we could coast for about 7 miles at 15mph. Because of the unobstructed view and the clear air, we could see the rooftops of Lordsburg glittering in the sun from 10 miles away. This town was founded in 1880, and today is the county seat with a population of 3,300. Due to its proximity to I-10, this community has several motels and a fairly large Border Patrol Station. During WWII, a Japanese internment camp of 1,500 people was located here. The spectacular sight of the day was a low flying jet traveling faster than its sound, streak across the sky in front of us with a backdrop of desert mountains. Wow!

1 comment:

kidzwriter said...

Wow, indeed! Love that coasting.