Motorcycle Diaries (USA): Day 4
It was evening when I arrived in Tucson and there appeared to be a distinct lack of budget accomodation in town. As i'd ridden long enough and didn't really know where to start looking, I resorted to grabbing an option out of the Lonely Planet. I was definitely surprised when the check-in staff told me the rate of $110 per night. Still at that point i'd already decided I was done riding for the day so with a sigh, shelled out the cash.
Nice place though. Lots of 'period features' - my room had a 1940's Bakalite telephone and large 1930's valve 'wireless' radio. Neither of which I used (i'm not even sure if they worked) but they looked right at home with the rest of the decor. As I could only afford the one night, it was soon time to move on again.
Southbound from Tucson I was heading for the iconic western town of Tombstone. Once a hangout for Wyatt Earp (and the other Earp brothers) & Doc Holliday and location of the famous 1881 'Gunfight at the OK Corral'. Admittedly, the town has become a mini western theme park, with gun slingers and stage coaches cruising the streets, but beyond the theatrics there is a lot of the original town intact - The Courthouse, the Birdcage Theater and Bar and of course the famous 'Boot-Hill' cemetery. There is something quite cool about standing at the same bar where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday used to drink and play poker.
Continuing the Western theme (which is difficult to avoid in this part of the world) I left Tombstone, calling at Boot-Hill to pay my respects and "rode out of town" heading to Silver City. Silver City's most (in)famous resident was "Billy The Kid". This whole region must have been one TOUGH neighbourhood after another!
Only a brief stop in Silver City. Just enough time to take a quick look around and refuel (the bike and me). I wanted to reach the GREAT named town of ... Truth or Consequences before dark. Truth or Consequences (or ToC as its known locally) is a hot springs town almost 85 miles further on from Silver City. The only down side to the final leg of the day was that there was a large mountain range between me and my desired destination (ToC) and it was already late evening.
Still, off I went and it wasn't too long before the road got narrower and narrower and steeper and steeper and it got DARK and COLD (the heated hand grips were definitely a blessing that night). Snow lay around and "Beware of Ice on the road" signs began to appear. TIGHT S-bends on the way up and even TIGHTER S-bends on the steep descent, one after another. The big drop offs at the edge of the road brought back memories of "Death Road" in Bolivia. I'm sure the route would have been great during the day, no doubt spectacular scenery. BUT, to a 'newbie' biker like me its a tough way to end a long day. Especially when the low fuel light came on part way through the pass!
Anyway, I eventually made it safely to Truth or Consequences and the waiting Hot Springs were more than welcoming!
A few more pics:
