Day 13. We missed the rain, but not by much.

Day 13.  We left Lordsburg at about 8:15 mountain time - having just crossed in to this time zone - and headed back the way we drove to Silver City the day before.  The total climb was 4,777 feet and the distance was 52.3 miles.
 It was cloudy and a bit chilly, but the climb helped keep us warm. Here we are at the start.

As we headed north, the locals waved us on.  Well, they waved their tails.

As I have repeatedly said, the usual dry, dusty and brown vegetation was exploding in growth and green.  Take a look.

We made the continental divide!  Here is the sign and Paul P putting some water into the Mississippi and the Pacific Ocean.  He is so environmentally equal.  Nice consideration.

Along the way we met another long distance biker - Dominique from Scotland! He has been on the way from Jasper to Mexico riding his mountain bike along the Continental Divide Trail for the last three months.  What a ride.  He has broken one bike already!

Here is the kind of thing you see along the road that raises your interest and questions as to what it means.  It appears this was a biking accident, and how kind to put the out there.  There must be a story worth hearing.

Along the way we came to the town of Tyrone, home of the Tyrone mine.  It is hard to show the size of these mine tailings, but they are huuuuuge!  Here are some pictures from miles away.

There seem to be two business around here - cows and mining.  Here is what the cattlemen have to say.

Finally, after making the last climb/cruise, we ended up in Silver City, NM.  The town appears to be going through, um, transition to a sort of "New Age" place.  Here is one of the locals who told us about his concept of the town.

Then there was the bike shop.  I got some parts to hold the map on the front bike-bag, and saw this interesting 4-wheeler.  I thought 4-wheelers used gas engines, but obviously I am miss-informed!

Finally, as is often the case, I met some very nice locals.  In the store we started talking and it was lots of fun kidding the kids.  I think they thought my bike clothes were funny.  They certainly look that way!  It was fun.

Tomorrow we head up over the 8,228 foot Emory pass.  It will be a long grunt going up, but gravity works and going down will be pretty easy.  Then, we can celebrate!  More to see then!
Paul C