On the Road with Regina

Day 19: Had a wonderful morning visit with Theresa before heading out to start my way back home. Weather started out great and the ride was easy until I reached Houston and my left-side mirror just just broke off. After that, about hour later a storm came on and there was flooding where I had to get gas. So I’m glad that finally passed and instead of riding straight home late, I decided I deserved one last nice bubble bath before ending my trip!

Super fun day driving around the small towns with Theresa. Found the coolest boutique ! Craig drove us over to the farm to see the animals. I still can’t believe I fed a cow, mule AND a donkey lol Best moment was hearing my cat Lily Ann recognize my voice and run up to me and I got to hold her again!!

OMGossssh…..I skipped going to Fort Davis and Fort Stockton and rode straight to my friend Theresa’s house. I RODE 656 MILES y’all!!!! 😱 that’s now the longest I have ever ridden. I feel great. I was even able to make a pit stop to San Antonio and walk their Riverwalk. I had the most ADORABLE room and comfy bed waiting for me. My gracious hostess sure made everything was so special. God created the best driving day for me thus far on my trip. So full of gratitude. I am in awe.

What a day! Went off the agenda and headed to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum inside Tuscan National Park. Cactuses! So neat to see the beauty of the desert here. Loved seeing and hearing the birds around me as I walked through the park. Those Mexican grey wolves were just beautiful. Afterwards, I discovered the San Xavier del Bac Mission, which is on the San Xavier Indian Reservation. Such a peaceful energy walking through the grounds.

Now, the most challenging part of my trip happened coming into New Mexico. About 20 miles in, I saw in the distance on both sides of me these skinny-looking tornadoes. I’m like, what is that? Then, a mile up, all these signs started appearing, advising drivers that they were in a dust storm zone and what to do when it comes. 😱 The area opened up to all these mountains to ride through, and then, up further ahead and to the right of me, I noticed what looked like smoke coming from a fire behind a mountain. I don’t recall Google Maps indicating wildfires in the area. Well, it turns out it wasn’t. It was a massive dust storm that I ended up riding through for under two hours. Keeping the bike steady and trying not to breathe in that dust was definitely a challenge. I finally arrived in El Paso. I took a stop for gas, a long break, and then a rainstorm came down as I was about to leave. So, I had to shift my plans and find a place nearby to stay. I found a place to eat to wait out some of the storm, and decided this was a perfectly well-deserved day to end with a big piece of chocolate silk pie! Three states, three attractions, and two major weather experiences, oye!

I felt invigorated as I finally immersed myself in the breathtaking beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. The rock formations were awe-inspiring, and riding through the Joshua Trees was an unforgettable experience. I was grateful for the Ranger's guidance at the National Park Service Center, which led me to the stunning view at Keys View point. A short hike revealed a snake slithering through the underbrush and some vibrant bird species. Although the heat was intense, I made the most of my time exploring.

The rest of the day was spent riding to Tucson, but I wisely decided to stop in Casa Grande, AZ, due to the scorching 108° temperature. I’ve never experienced anything so hot! Prioritizing my well-being, I took regular breaks and eventually settled into the Radisson Hotel Casa Grande. Angie at the front desk was incredibly helpful, and I was relieved to have a secure spot to store my bike and access laundry services. The comfortable bed was a welcome respite, and I looked forward to the complimentary breakfast. 

Downtown was adorable and I just HAD to check out the recommended . Right amount of food to hit the spot. It reached 105° by the time I made my first gas stop in Barstow. No worries! In preparation, I was able to find a Dick’s and grabbed a chilly wrap (best) and thanks to my friends Karen and Dave for giving me a chilly vest, I was kept cool and comfortable and enjoyed the ride coming into the desert. Cactuses, yay!! Landed at a funky cute and reasonable place at . Mr. Nick was super sweet and helpful giving me some great sightseeing options for the morning. I saw a sign riding in that said “Bite it! Bites, Beer, Bikes.” so of course I had to try it, especially to see if they really branded your bun. They sure did lolol

I was able to witness, in God’s perfect timing, a “moonrise” coming out of the mountains. You just can’t really capture anything like it unless you see it in person. What a great God present to end the day. Can’t wait to explore tomorrow 🫶🏼