The anticipated rain did show up, preceded by a strong windstorm just after dark. Although I thought I had staked my tent securely, one gust freed one of my vestibules, so there I was with mallet in hand and headlamp shining, restaking as the tent was being buffeted.
In the midst of all this, a clamour was heard from Gina and Dena's tent; they had been checking their stakes, and when they re-entered their tent, they found a spider on a pillow. It was quickly dispatched with the help of a mallet and accompanying shrieks. We take our entertainment where we find it. :)
Just after the winds had finally subsided, the rain arrived, but only lasted long enough to wet the tents. It made packing up this morning messy, but everything quickly dried out once camp was set up this afternoon. I had told the group that the three previous tours I had done with this company, albeit only one week in duration, had been rain free, and I felt that that tradition should continue. Until last night, we had been over two weeks without getting wet, but I feared my winning streak had ended. However, the general consensus seems to be that since the rain started after we had retired for the night, and was short lived, and since we neither had to pack up or ride in the rain, the gods were still smiling upon us. I'll take that.
The main feature about today's ride was the wind. The unrelenting cross and headwinds. Four and a half hours of wind. And it's still blowing now, and once again buffeting my tent as I lie here typing this, six hours after I finished my ride. I think I prefer hills. There's an end that can be seen on a hill. There's a chance to rest after a hill. The wind can't be seen, only felt; one never knows when it will stop.
The area we rode through today is a major chili pepper and pecan centre. Vast orchards of pecan trees stretched to the horizon, interspersed with fields of chili pepper and cotton plants, all of which are just coming out of their dormant winter stage.
Lots of money down here, not only from the agriculture, but also from retirement communities that are springing up. Apparently, it's a popular summer second-home destination for well-off Americans who want to get away from the humid southern states where they live. . Saw some pretty fancy adobe-style homes on acreages on the way to the campsite. Las Cruces is the third largest city in New Mexico, and growing rapidly.
One highlight of today's ride was the breakfast burrito stop in Hatch, the chili pepper capital of NM. Food is always a highlight. ;)
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