Day 9: Congress Rest Day

 Day 9

May 25, 2015

Miles: 0

Congress to, well, Congress

Di and I planned to leave by 7:00 this morning to get an early start on the climb up to Yarnell.  However, when I arose at 7:30 to start packing, Di was still fast asleep and it didn't look like she was going to get up any time soon.  I was still tired from yesterday's ride and instead of packing I decided to read my emails instead.  There was an email from Jen, and after I read her words of support and congratulations for our ride so far, she very gently and humorously encouraged us to take a rest day.  Strongly encouraged us.  I was still tired so I was convinced quite easily.  Shortly after I had read the email, Di's phone beeped with a text message from Toni-Ann that asked that Di call her.  I guessed that she also was going to encourage us to take the day off.  I now felt emboldened to awaken Di, and when she was fully awake, a process that actually took some time, I told her that I was voting to take a rest day.  I also told her about Jen's email and the likelihood that Toni-Ann was going to say the same thing.  Di digested the information, assessed the situation, then cried out in anguish: "I don't want to spend a rest day in Congress!"  This made us both burst out laughing.  We had wanted to get to Prescott, a much bigger town, to spend our rest day.  But, we were at the Sierra Vista Motel, a nice, clean motel owned by Cindy and there is a good restaurant down the street, so we easily accepted the situation.  Di called Toni-Ann and, sure enough, she advised us to take a rest day.  Di assured her that we would.

We walked down the street to the restaurant, but it was closed.

A closed restaurant is a sad sight

I told Di that on the way back to the hotel I wanted to stop at the second-hand shop to pick up a book to read today.  Unfortunately, the store, too, was closed.

The books were so close, yet so far.

Di made us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast and I made instant coffee (better than no coffee, maybe).  We sat on the porch in front of our room eating our sandwiches and just being lazy.  After breakfast I washed my clothes and hung them to dry on  a clothesline I strung in the bathroom.  Di noticed there was a laundromat across the street and decided it would be easier to wash her clothes in a machine instead of the bathroom sink.

Di relaxing while our clothes dry.

Cindy, the owner of the motel and her daughter, Sheri, have two dogs and a cat and they came to visit us.  I love pets and Di doesn't, so naturally you knew to whom they gravitated.

Di making friends

I went to the road to look at where we'll be riding tomorrow morning.  Its hard to see exactly where the road goes, but I could see the mountains we have to climb.

Tomorrow's ride goes there. 

We went to the grocery store and each got a sandwich for lunch.  I ordered a ham and turkey and Di got a turkey sandwich.  The owner of the store said we could return to the hotel and he would have the sandwiches delivered to us.  The sandwiches arrived and they were okay.  Cindy's daughter Sheri, who also works at the motel, came by to ask how we were enjoying our lunch.  We said it was okay and she laughed and said she was having a cookout that evening and we were invited to join.  We happily accepted!  After lunch we slept until six o'clock and then went to the cookout, which was held just behind the motel office.  We were treated to grilled chicken, potato salad, egg salad, and peanut butter celery stick.  And then home-made apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream! Yummy!  The folks at the cookout were all friends that had met in Arizona and had discovered they all originally came from Kansas.  Cindy and her Sheri ran the motel, but they were all gold prospectors. They were a great group of folks and Di and I enjoyed talking with them.  They were interested in our riding and, because they were familiar with a lot of our route, gave us some good advice about roads to take and sites to see.  The kindness and generosity of Cindy and Sheri made our stay here in Congress special.  Di and I are so lucky to have stayed here and met them and their warm and gracious friends.  The cookout was a great way to end our relaxing stay in Congress.  Who needs Prescott when you have Congress and the Sierra Vista Motel!

The fun loving gold diggers (literally!)

We are off to Prescott tomorrow morning, unless we get more emails and phone calls telling us to take a day off.  But, we are well rested and ready to go.

I received a text from Andy this evening telling me he had Di's camera and was going to ship it tomorrow.  I should get it Thursday.  I can't wait to get a camera that works fully.  Also, I can't wait to receive a package on the road.  Its like having a mini-Christmas.  Thanks, A!