We woke up to a temperature of 27C. Even though the motel was comfortably nestled near an interstate overpass, between a massive 24/7 truck stop and semi overflow parking area, I can’t say I heard a single sound during the night. Last night we did have the irrepressible need to supplement out bodily rehydration with something other than just water.
That just may have contributed to a rather solid and refreshing sleep. After a typical nondescript continental breakfast it was time to load up and hit the road.
You could feel the excitement as we discussed the route, fuel stops, tested com-systems, tapped GPS’s and checked papers for the fifth, sixth or seventh time in anticipation of the upcoming boarder crossing.
Time to rotovate. The temperature had already rocketed to 35C. Being just below the interstate overpass, it only took us minutes to get on the interstate and promptly miss our first exit. With all the technology we were equipped with, it was really hard not to laugh, so I didn’t bother trying to fight it. A few minutes later, exit right, turn left, across the overpass, turn left again, down the merge ramp, on the interstate, next exit right, crank the throttle and wave good bye to the motel.
A desert is a desert is a desert, right? Not! As Marion and I learned during our Mojave desert experience there probably dozens of variations of desert. The further south we rode, the more the land became sandy and almost white in colour. This area is a southern extension of the Sonoran desert and is called the White Sonora. Finding myself at the south end was a great experience as Marion and I had explored the northern extremity of the Sonora desert.
Our journey south took us through an area called Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The immediately amazing thing about this area was the proliferation and variety of cacti all in the same place. There are the giant saguaro (the one that Snoopy’s brother Spike lives in), cholla (I saw several varieties), ocotillo, barrel cactus, pipe organ and the list goes on. There were Palo Verde (green tree) and the ever present creosote bush.
The kilometres counted down to the Lukeville boarder crossing and the temperature continued to count up. It is now 43C.
There it is. Lukeville, fuel, shade and of course, Mexico. Last fuel stop before Mexico and Puerto Penasco. Fueling done now head for the shade, gear off, relax for a while.
So why sit around in the sweltering heat? Why not just keep going? One has to purchase special insurance to drive into Mexico. Well not everyone’s insurance kicked in on the same hour, so we had a bit of a wait until everyone’s insurance was valid. While we were waiting another group of Canadians arrived and joined us in the shade. Next thing we know, there are about 30 motorcycles under the canopy, most of which were Canadian.
(Molly says hi to Dennis)
Check the documents another 2 or 3 times, suit up, go. There are spike bars inbeded in the road as we approach the crossing. DON’T LET THE ENTERPRISE ROLL BACKWARDS! Okay, made that part. In a fairly short time we were all gathered on the Mexico side. A quick discussion and on to our last 100 kilometres. The group at this point consisted of the five of us and 3 USA riders we met in the shade. As we idled through the community adjacent to the boarder crossing, the locals waved at us, greeted us in both English and Spanish, did friendly toots of their vehicle horns. Made me feel like Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman when they did Long Way Around. A quick hundred kilometers later and we are in Puerto Penasco. A short ride through town to the waterfront and we arrived. The other Edmonton riders were waiting for us with hi-fives all with on hand while handed us much needed cold drinks with the other hand.
Check in, change, cool down, relax, eat, and goodnight.
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