The day started with overcast skies and a beautiful ride down a remote canyon west of Carlsbad ... not so flat anymore. The anticipation, wonder, fear, excitement in the early mornings is always something to remember ... will it be as hard as Utah, Siberia, Baja?
Once we entered the Guadalupe National Park, the dirt began ... gravel, limited traction but relatively easy ... lots of smoke and haze from an 8,000 acre fire just south of where we entered.
Incredible scenery ... somewhat of a combination of Colorado and Arkansas with deserts thrown in ... lots of fauna - rabbits, deer, roadrunners, mexican jumping mice ... and then the crazy bison!
Coming into a beautiful meadow in the mountains ... cows grazing ... and yes, a bison in the middle ... decided to stop and take a picture ... at this point the bison is about 100 yards away ... when I look up after getting my camera, I see the bison charging towards me at full speed! Had 5 seconds to plot an exit route, turn the motorcycle on, deal with a camera, and go ... needless to say, it was a close call. Bastard! : )
All in all an incredible day ... being in nature is food for the soul ... so much beauty. We had lunch in Weed (just somebody's last name - yes, we asked), cappuccino in Cloudcroft (9,000 ft) and dinner at an Irish pub in Ruidoso.
10 hours standing up on a motorcycle doing some pretty hard dirt riding has had an impact on our bodies ... time to get some rest!
Tomorrow, our first camping day.
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