Friday, May 29, 2015

Day 12: Valle, AZ - Updated!!!!!

Day 12

May 28, 2015

Miles: 50

Ash Fork to Valle

I am posting this very short message tonight to let you know that we made it safely to Valle.  Unfortunately, we have limited wireless capabilities tonight.  We tried uploading our pictures and after 1 hour, no pictures had completely loaded so we were forced to terminate the job. I then tried to upload pictures with my personal hotspot to no avail.

So tomorrow we will try again, and if not successful, perhaps find a place locally with better WiFi access.  For tonight, I will leave you with this...


When we arrived at the B&B, Judy the woman who owns the place, said Steve’s package had arrived.  It was the alternate camera that Andy had sent him.  Steve is very, very happy; we plan to be riding through the Grand Canyon - South Rim on Saturday, so it came just in time. Great planning and execution on Andy’s part ... thanks A, you saved the day, not to mention you made your dad very happy!
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  POST UPDATES BELOW THIS POINT ....
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Our routine every morning, as soon as we wake, is to check the blog for comments.  I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised to find this morning no one commented; even our two most avid commenters Toni-Ann and Jen decided to pass this morning. We took this as a sign that last night’s post was uninspiring and frankly, just not acceptable! So, since we were able to find better WIFI access, we were able to successfully upload pictures, hence this update; hopefully, a more inspiring post to describe a little better yesterday’s events.

Let me bring you back to the night we spent in Ash Fork.  Where we were forced (I mean grateful), to stay in a campground.  Let me explain.  Camping is great!  I mean it.  Under the right circumstances, I repeat - the right circumstances, it is just perfect!  For instance take the night there in Ash Fork.  As Steve previously posted, it was either the $29 hotel room or the RV Campground.  A no brainer right?  I actually don’t mind camping all that much.  There are many advantages such as there are no distractions like a TV; no negotiating over which side of the bed you want to sleep on, and no one tugging all night at the blankets because we both have our own sleeping bag.  Also, as soon as the sun goes down, your internal clock kicks in and says time for bed.  So by 8:30pm your eyes start to close; a few minutes later you are out cold.  Now, in the morning, it is a different story.  Leaving the campground is always a production because of packing of the tent, sleeping bags and mat.  Getting on the road seems to take forever.  However does that really matter? You are up at the crack of dawn so who really cares.  This morning we were on our bikes at 7:15am and ordering breakfast by 7:30am. 



The Morning Pack
Another Great Breakfast
Picking up where I left off above. Now lets for a moment contrast camping with staying at a 5-star Bed & Breakfast.  Under the right circumstances, this would be a more perfect option.  Like for instance, where we stayed last night and intend to stay again tonight as well – Dumplin Patch B&B.  We woke this morning with the sunlight peaking through our bedroom window.  And it is not just one bedroom. We are staying in a beautiful four room apartment with a kitchen, livingroom, sitting area, a beautifully modern bathroom and an enormous patio.  It was once the barn where her horses lived, we were told by the owner.  The owner, Judy, converted this barn to a luxurious apartment on her complex that houses two or three other standalone B&B apartments and many rooms in the main house.    

Steve in our kitchen
At 7:55am we walked over to the main house where breakfast was being served.  Judy and Eva, the chef, were both waiting for us.  Both were very sweet and happy to see us. Judy, even offered us her car for us to drive to the Canyon.  We thanked her, but passed because we wanted today to be a rest day, and because we are riding tomorrow and plan to stay in the Grand Canyon Village.  Eva had prepared blueberry pancakes, eggs, poppy muffins, fresh fruit, fresh squeezed orange juice and freshly brewed coffee.  Tonight, Eva will cook us a private dinner for two, a service the B&B provides, so we opted to partake. Not bad under the right circumstances right?  A great place with great services, and with very friendly people.  Other than the spotty WIFI access and an occasional wiff of horse in our kitchen, this place is just perfect!  

On Road Shot
So, yesterday it was another beautiful day weatherwise.  Sunny and 80s, wind at our backs.  Even with these conditions, yesterday was a long and difficult climb. At times we were climbing grades between 8%-10%.  Sloooow riding.  We hit elevation 7000 twice.  However, we didn’t stay there long, because as soon as we crested the second peak we started our descend.  Woo hoo!   We rode 50 miles in all. 

More pictures as we rode...

Steve Feeling Good!

Steve feeling not so good!

Steve good again!

Steve doing his own thing ... doesn't he always!
I am happy to report, we no longer have to worry about snakes and scorpions; away with my rattlesnake whip.

Where is my bear bat!

Not so cute!
However, we rode through the cutiest little town called Williams. The main street sits on the Old Route 66.  It was a bit commercialized but it is a perfect option for those who want to stay outside the Grand Canyon.  We rode by a restaurant with a band playing outside on the patio; it is a happening town.  Steve just loved riding on this road.  He sang ‘get your kicks on route 66’ all day.


Steve loved this sign!

Last night we ate at a local restaurant that had very good food. We both order the salmon and even celebrated making it this far by having one Guiness each.   


Thorough Enjoyment
We were surprised how awake we were, given the last three days of riding; strangely we felt great last night and today during our rest day, we still felt great as well!

3 comments:

  1. Di, you sure look happy in that tent! Come on, camping is fun! Thanks for the update, I was feeling out of the loop today.

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  2. Great post! Eva and Judy sound like gems! Enjoy the ride around the Canyon! Can't wait to see those pictures with that great working camera! Thanks to Andy!

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  3. You both are having amazing weather: no rain! The beautiful blue skies are just how I remember it the 2 times I was out there, by car. Glad you are camping too! Di, I love your tent!!

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