For the past 24 hours I have been riding through the San Carlos Apache Reservation. I stopped by the Apache World casino - it was the last place to water for miles.  They gave me a complementary iced tea. In Peridot I stopped by a convenience store for more water; some rambunctious teens pulled in and gave an Indian war cry, something you just don't hear in my neighborhood.  There are numbered Indian roads crossing my route. I turned up Indian Road 8 to get away from the traffic noise where I planned to set up camp. Just a couple of hundred yards. It turned out that you have to have permit to use that road if you are not a member.  But there was no other road for miles, so I sneaked in. I hid behind a Meskite thicket. I photographed my campsite.

It has been an interesting 24 hours.  At Apache Junction I took a photo of Lone Mountain which was looming ahead of me for a while. Then I climbed Gonzales Pass, taking lots of pictures of the trek UK and, especially, of Picketpost Mountain which first appeared when I topped the pass. This morning I had an even bigger climb going over Signal Mountain Pass.  Atop of it the vegetation changed.  I quickly lost elevation, flyimg downhill.  I am now brunching in Miami, copper capital of the world.

The ride out of town was pleasant. Went through the college campus. Lots of bicycles. Passed the Cubs spring training ground. Then got on Mesa's Bicycle Route 3. Bikes everywhere.
 

Did nothing today except run a few errands (mostly to refill my larder). Stayed in my room catching up with my mail; will dine with an old colleague tonight. It was nice resting. Next is my climb to the continental divide, 8200 feet.

Arrived in Phoenix. Been seeing a different kind of landscape, tidy suburbs. WIll spend 2 nights here. It's funny but I need it less than a few days ago when I should have taken it. I'll visit KLK. Map 2 begins. It is 100 miles longer with much more climbing and wilderness.

Passed through Hope. It was mostly flat country. Some stretches were cactus countryside. Stayed at Burro Jim's Motel, no tv, no fridge and no microwave but a notice that the room will be cleaned every Saturday.

Was on Dome Rock Road for a long time. Photoed it. Am spending long lunches out of the sun. That is why I blog at that time. Lots of kindness toward long-distance bicyclists. One person gave me his number in case anything happens to me. One stopped to direct me to a campground and one reduced her room price when she saw I was traveling by bicycle. And one gave me a spare burrito.

Made good time yesterday; did not have to camp beside the road.  Camped in a R V site - shower, running water.  It was by Palo Verde lagoon. Here is a picture of what I overlooked Other sites: the Chocolate Mountains were not hard to recognize when I saw them as was the Colorado River.

Crossed the Imperial Valley today.  Crossing the Allison's Dunes wilderness. The only services between Brawley and Palos Verses is a store in Glamor 27 miles from Brawley.  Next night I'm camping by the side of the road.

Mountains done. 6 miles of 6 percent grade downhill today.

Brunch in a bikers bar. Today is my biggest climbing day.

Skipped breakfast to take advantage of the cloud cover.  Eating a fine Italian meal.

Packed and ready

All packed, ready for the train to San Diego.  Biking starts tomorrow.  Susan sent me a picture of a remote 95 mile section of my route: