Boulders

Today was an interesting day.  We rode north on highway 87, which was a four-lane divided highway, but apparently not a federal interstate.  The traffic was crazy, but the views were outstanding.  I especially liked the boulder piles as we made the first summit.  Here are some of my favorite images from today.  I was especially amazed at how this rock was balanced on the tip of a cactus!

The freeway did a pretty strange thing along the canyon.  The two directions switched sides as we went up the canyon, so for awhile it felt like we were in New Zealand!  Here's the south-bound lanes crossing a bridge over the Sycamore River.

We crossed the highest pass so far: 4565'.  It was a pretty grueling ride with several 1000' climbs, followed by 500' descents.  The last two legs were in a pretty drenching rain.  Fortunately it stopped for the descent on the other side of the pass!

And then there was this bird, loudly singing in the ocotillo bushes.  I've now found out that it's a "curved-bill thrasher".

Lastly, here's the obligatory sunset picture.  We've been having quite a few of these.