Day 54 Horca CO to Lagunitas Camp Ground NM

The Ponderosa campground was for RVs but allowed Dividers to camp. Last night, by 8pm, we had pitched tents & showered, & it was already very cold. Keen to finding warmth, I entered the camps communal room, it had a log burner blazing away & a bible class in progress – hallelujah! I was welcome to stay & listened with interest on why Jesus may have healed some & allowed others to suffer or die. Afterwards, the lay preacher proposed I sleep here & that Keith, the owner, would not mind. – Fantastic idea! A warm nights sleep & I was able to dry my wet sleeping bag following the previous nights snow shower. I went to pass this on to Matt but his tent was dark & silent.

7am & someone entered to light the stove, & make coffee. The place gradually filled & enjoying a good chat. People were from all other parts of the state & as far a field as Texas & Tennessee. All here for the beauty & non tourist quiet this corner of Colorado has to offer. Some had returned for 20 yrs or more. I agree – yesterday’s ride equalled the best of the Divide & the campground has a unique, laid back, friendliness & everyone mixes. Lots of interest was given to our ride & Jerry Borcherding will be following my blog from here on – Welcome!

Jerry Borcherding, my new follower- welcome!

Some of the guys I shared coffee & a chat with. Chilled owner, Keith, does not get up unless he needs to!

Matt had established a highway route to shorten his ride by 2 days to ensure he catches his flight back. Though tempted to join him, I kept to the Divide route & travelled on alone.

I returned to the gift shop for breakfast & upload the last 3 days blogs. Unfortunately their slow WiFi meant uploading the blog with photos took 3 hrs! Also, one of my poor cycle shoes literally fell apart & a duct tape repair was needed. I’m hoping it will last until Grant, 8 days ride away!

La Manga Pass was my first climb before turning off onto dirt road.

In this area, over 100 years ago, a rancher, Alejandro Garcia, discovered gold. He drowned soon after without telling anyone where it was & remains so to this day.

14miles in to the day & I crossed from Colorado into New Mexico

I’m now in the state that will take me to the Mexico border. Still a long way to go but feel my goal is within reach. Plus, this far south, I do expect NM to provide me with ongoing sunshine & much warmer nights. Let’s see?!!

photos along the afternoons ride

The Divide route was along treacherous dirt & rock & bolder roads, through high wilderness (9500 to 10500ft) – no ATVs or 4 wheel drives here.

The Divide picks up the southern rim of the Cruces Basin – a huge depression which has its own unique ecology. Unfortunately a view of the rim was not reached until dusk so apologies for the poor shot.

I rode on until after dark before making camp, finishing beyond the high pass to leave tomorrow’s start with a pleasant downhill.