Day 5: Rest day in Blythe, CA
Trip Start
Mar 08, 2006
1
7
55
Trip End
May 07, 2006
Blythe, California
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Most people were up early and enjoyed the hotel's breakfast. Afterwards, I walked over to Starbucks and Albertsons where I purchased a box of vinyl gloves and a can of carburetor cleaner to clean my bike. I set up a cleaning station near the trailer, and was soon joined by others in the group. My friend Lucy would be proud, as I was soon giving advice and instructions on the art of bicycle cleaning. Michelle and Heather worked on bikes that needed a bit of tuning.
Everyone was also taking the opportunity to do their laundry, which had been carefully organized. A sign-up sheet was placed on the washer. After your laundry was finished, you were to call the next person on the list and let them know the washer was available. My turn came not long after I finished with my bike.
During one trip to my room I was surprised to hear my phone ringing. Erin was calling from London. What great timing! She and Haley are having a wonderful time exploring the city, shopping, visiting museums, and are planning to see "The Lion King" theater production.
I spent the early afternoon with my i-pod connected to the speakers on the clock radio, updating my journal. Later this afternoon, 14 of us piled into the van and headed out to the Blythe Intaglios, known locally as the Blythe Giants, which are gigantic human, animal and geometric figures on the ground surface. The drawings were situated on two low mesas or terraces. The intaglios are one of the few unsolved mysteries of modern archaeology. The mesas are strewn with a dark gravel surface where the sand and soil particles have been washed away. What is left is a landscape of small, dark stones which form a kind of "desert pavement". The intaglios were formed by removing the "desert pavement", exposing the lighter soil underneath. The local Mohave and Quechan tribes say the human figures represent Mastamho, the Creator of the Earth and all life; while the animal figures represent Hatakulya, a mountain lion who aided in the Creation. The figures were first discovered by George Palmer, who flew over the area in 1930. The site was interesting, but I think would have been much better observed from the air.
After a 5:00 p.m. map meeting, we all headed down the street to Maria's, a local Mexican restaurant. I had a chicken quesadilla supreme and a Negro Modelo.
Today our group gained a rider and lost an adminstrator, as we were joined today by Patty, the newest member of our group who will be joining us on the rest of the tour. Jackie left us today to return home and back to running Woman Tours.
I am now off to repack my luggage and ready the bike for tomorrow's ride to Salome, AZ.
Thanks to all who have left messages and offered words of support and encouragement. I appreciate it and enjoy hearing from all of you!
Comments
Hi
I was happy to see the e-mail giving me information on how to get to your notes. I went into the site this morning, but could not get to your notes--but obviously did so tonight. It sounds like you are having a great trip--and on rest day you have so much energy still. I feel so bad not to be on it with you--mass depression setting in for an hour or so!! But I know I should be here. I took Megan and Scott dinner tonight and will actually take her out to the mall tomorrow so she can get something comfortable and cute to make her feel more spring-like. She's lost about ten pounds and things just hang on her.
I'll check in often to read your notes. I imagine you saw a copy of the Spectrum. The article was a very good article, I thought! You represented the cause and the endeavor very well!
Pedal fast up one hill--dedicate it to me!!!
Carolyn
Following alon
What an adventure!! We are so proud of what you are doing and enjoying your vivid descriptions. Hope that the weather cooperates from now on but don't imagine that you will find snow from here on!!! We will keep our church members apprised of your progress. Take care and be watchful. God bless.