DAY 7

 

Got up early this morning. Found that my Motel 6 was only about one block from the largest Harley-Davidson retailer in the world. So decided to drop in, take a look and also see if they might have a tire for Scoot. I spent about 10 min. looking around. Couldn’t get anyone to give me the time of day much less any info on a tire. Another customer (Ted) was coming in as I was leaving. I struck up a conversation with him. He confirmed that the Staff there was not know for being nice. Ted gave me directions to the Yamaha Dealer. Off I go in a zoom.

I find Mr. Yamaha at 3401 N. Mesa. Tracy McIntyre is the General Manager. I tell him my story. He was really excited about the trip. He placed a call for the service manager and told him "we’ve gotta get this guy back on the road." Only one problem. Didn’t have my Zuma tire in stock. Tracy made some calls around but was unable to locate a tire. We decided to re-treat the rear tire with SLIME. As a PM, they also did the front tire. When they finished I ask Tracy what I owed. He said "Go. Have a safe trip."

Headed North on Tx 20 to Las Cruces, NM. The only disadvantage with traveling non-interstate is that I haven’t found a big sign when crossing a state line and no Welcome Station to pick up a map.

In Las Cruces, I figure its time to get a change of clothes so I seek out a "Big K". Its not difficult to locate one. Sure enough, right when I need one there it is off to the right. I get the necessities; Socks, underwear and T-shirt. Also got some 2 cycle oil and a new pair of reading glasses. They’ve got good glasses for $7.00. Back on the road again.

Going to go to Lordsburg and then head South to Douglas, AZ. Started picking up more rain east of Deeming that came and went all the way to Douglas. About half way between Deeming and Lordsburg is the Continental Divide (32 11.870N 108 16.753W.) Elevation 4,585 Ft. My Garmin reads 4,572 Ft. pretty close I’d say.

Its just getting dark when I turn onto Tx 80 heading to Douglas. It really gets dark out here. (Remind me to buy a flashlight at the next Big K.) The scenery is absolutely indescribable. The setting sun with dark clouds, black sky that turns purple with the flashes of lightening. Tried to take picture but its just not the same.

I’m on 80 about an hour  and 28 miles from Douglas, AZ when I get to the Arizona State Line. It’s pitch black but there is a nice sign. I really did want to get a picture at each state. I’ve already missed MS and LA so I stop Scoot to get a shot. I left her running so as to provide a little light to focus. As soon as I stopped, it died. Man-o-Man is it quiet out here. Not the slightest noise of any kind. I took a straight on shot but the reflected light from the strobe washed out the image of the sign. I kept moving at an angle taking more pictures.

After about the third, I was startled by a horrendous screaming. I about dropped the camera. There was some creature out there that I had obviously disturbed with the flashes from my strobe. What started out as a single "voice" within seconds turned into many, very many. I mean a bunch. Not just from the one original direction but surround sound and they seemed to be getting closer. I know when its time to leave and it was definitely that time. I scurried over to Scoot and hit the starter. Grind, grind but no start. I try again, and again. No fire.  O shucks!! The blood curling screaming gets louder and closer. I don’t know what coyotes sound like but I’m betting that’s what we’ve got here and they sound either pissed off, hungry or both.

 

I had considered bringing my Sig .380 Automatic along on the trip but after weighting the pros and cons opted to leave it in Pensacola. Come on Scoot you brought me this far. Come alive and get me outta Dodge. I set the clutch a little and hit the kick start. Ha Ha that sweet sound of a 2 cycle. And were off in a cloud of dust. Bye Bye critters whatever you are!!!

 

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