March 16th, 2008 | categorizilation: all categories,USA (Arizona)
Today’s distance / ???????: 48 miles / 77km
Average speed / ????: 7.5mph / 12.1km/h
Time on skateboard / ????: 6h 23m
Total skateboarding distance to date / ????????????: 3494mi plus 280mi (?) / 5623km plus 450km (?)
Ascent / ??: 215m
Descent / ??: 380m
End-of-day GPS coordinates: N33.12.42.2, W110.12.34.9
Right ‘o then! No more of this hanging about lounging in hot springs! Time to get on the road.
I was totally stoked when I woke up at 5:50am this morning. Bright and early. When I woke up, the wind was blowing from the east. Very nice. A tailwind.
As Murphy’s Law would have it, however, the moment I got everything packed up and ready to go, the wind had turned around to a gusty westerly – right in my face. The story of my life here in Arizona, I thought, and pushed out onto the highway.
I stopped in at the Safford Walmart for supplies, and saw my mug on the front page of the local news paper (The Eastern Arizona Courier). Employees at the WalMart recognised me from the paper, and asked for my signature on their copies of the paper. Nicolette Gonzales from the WalMart McDonalds Restaurant called me over and treated me to a free breakfast. Thanks Nicolette!
The wind blew strong from the west all day. It wasn’t until 5pm that it died down. In between I passed through the San Carlos Indian Reservation town of Bylas. Litter and general social decay was the impression the town left on me.
Passed through the one-house large town of Geronimo too. Geronimoooooooooooo!
I set up camp as the light was fading in the west. In amongst nice daisy fields. Nicely nice.
Those daisies are amazing.
Nana and I head down to Dunedin today (Friday) for Easter. Rach's baby is due on the 25th but looks like she won't arrive on time. I'll have to go down again next month to see the new arrival.
Rob,
I passed you on the road going toward the Indian Rez. I was on my way from Safford to Scottsdale. Sorry I didn't give you a lift. I admire you for your adventure but am a little worried for your safety in today's violent world.
Good luck!
Judy
I hope Judy reads through your blogs and realises how safe the world actually is!
Thank you, Mum, for the reassurances…for some reason I couldn't get Rob out of my thoughts. I will read the blogs and trust that Rob will be taken care of on his travels. I cetainly admire his courage, sense of adventure, and contributions to a good cause.
Happy skateboarding, Rob!
ps Even though that Indian Reservation is ugly, the wildflowers were spectacular. Your photos captured the beauty.
It’s incredibly sad that the first inhabitants of this continent are among the poorest, in one of the richest countries in the world.
And I wish people could see how the world really isn’t so dangerous after all, as I’m sure you know by now. Maybe if more people shut off the boob tube and started living an adventure like yourself, they would see that.
Good luck Rob!
