Oklahoma City, OK to Clovis, NM

Miles today: 402
Total miles: 1,485
Time on road: 7 hrs

This morning I was kicked out into the cold rain. No more home cooked meals. No more home made chocolate pie. No more home made banana ice cream. At least I was given breakfast before I was tossed out like an old smelly worn out motorcycle jacket.

As I was getting ready to leave OKC was starting to get some light rain. Forecast was showing that I should start hitting some large rain storms after getting about 50 miles west of OKC and continue until about 35 miles before the Texas / Oklahoma state line. Around 50 miles from OKC the winds picked up to around 25 mph and were coming from the south. Off and on light rain but no rain storms.

After entering Texas I left I-40 and took Hwy 70 south down to Hwy 86 and then headed west.

Rain ended and the clouds began to disappear. Soon the sun was out and the rest of the day was a good riding day.

One little fun spot and then it was back to flat agricultural land.

Finally made it to Mexico. Then realized that it was New Mexico. Doesn't count. Couple more days to the border.

Clovis, NM to Deming, NM

Miles today: 407
Total miles: 1,892
Time on road: 8 hrs 15 min

On the road at 7:00 this morning. Temperature already up to 26 degrees. T-Shirt, shorts, and flip-flop weather, but I decided to over dress and was in full winter riding gear.

Headed south on Hwy 70 toward Roswell.

You have to keep an eye on your bike in Roswell. Many bikes have been abducted from there.

South from Roswell on Hwy 285, SW on Hwy 13 to Hwy 82 and then south on Hwy 70 at Alamogordo.

If my understanding of this sign is correct, it means "Fun road ahead. All bikes must take this route."

First, you must warm up by riding in a straight line.

White Sands National Monument in the distance.

White Sands National Monument:

Back out to Hwy 70 and SW down to I-10. First time on the slab for the day. All good things must come to an end. I-10 west and finished up the day in Deming. Tomorrow night I should finally be across the border.

Deming, NM to Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico

Miles today: 374
Total miles: 2,266
Time on road 6h

Back on the road around 7:30. Much warmer today, already up to 38 degrees.

Slab most of the day on I-10.

Wind picked up outside of Tucson to around 30 mph. Temperature was up into the high 70's. For the first time on the trip the heated grips were turned off. Heated jacket was packed away again and mid-weight gloves were replaced with summer gloves.

Finally back on two lane. Took Hwy 86 from Tucson to Why, AZ. Why is the starting point for the Why! Whynot? IBA Ride. Why, AZ to Whynot, NC in less than 36 hours. or you can go for the Why! Whynot? Insanity 24 Hour ride.

South at Why on Hwy 85 and through Organ Pipe Cactus National monument.

There is a large bike rally going on in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) and the entire area soon became infested with Harley wannabe riders. Most were going on to Rocky Point so by evening Sonoyta had a lot less traffic and was much quieter.

First time crossing at Sonoyta. From what I have seen of the town, it seems to be a fairly typical border town.

Sonoyta, Sonora, to Hermosillo, Sonora

Miles today: 277
Total miles: 2,543
Time on road: 6 hrs 30 min

Left Sonoyta this morning around 7:30. Temperature was already in the 50's.

Started out in a few hills but the road was still straight. It was straight all the way to Hermosillo. Well, maybe it had 5 or so curves and a couple of turns, but other than that there was nothing exciting to the day. Hills soon gave way to flat open valleys. Most of the day was spent on cuotas which often resemble our interstates.

By mid-day back into summer gloves and all of the vents on the jacket were open. In the 80s by the time I reached Hermosillo and its stop and go traffic.

High 80s, heavy traffic, and loooong traffic lights.

Went first class (for me) on a hotel room for tonight. Paid less than what Motel 8 has been costing me.

Miles today: 321
Total miles: 2,864
Time on road: 7 hrs 30 min

Hermosillo, Sonora to Topolobampo, Sinaloa

Today started off warm with lots of sun. Another day of primarily getting from point A to point B. Not a lot of difference from yesterday. Biggest change was in elevation. Most of the day was less than 200 feet in elevation and at times getting very close to sea level. Also a lot of time spent on the coutas.

After a couple of hours the temperature was already up into the high 80s. Also, the mountains begin coming into view on the left.

And not much but flat and arid on the right.

As I got further south, there was more farm land.

I crossed one short mountain range before getting into Los Mochis.

Arriving in Topolobampo.

In spite of the directions that the GPS was giving me, I did find the Hotel Marina.

Juan Castro and Karen Bannaza work at the hotel.

As it turns out, Juan knows Felipe, president of the Pata Salada, MC. I will be staying with Felipe tomorrow night through the 14th.

This post needed at least one more picture of Karen.

O.K., I have been in Mexico for two days now. Way past due for my picture with a Mexican Cutie.

While talking to Juan outside the hotel, Manuel Salazar stopped by. Manuel is the president of the Baja Biker Los Mochis. He will also be in Mazatlan for the Pata Salada Anniversary.

Docks next to the restaurant.

Back side of the restaurant beside the docks.

Living next to the restaurant, the birds grow really big.

Not sure what all was on this plate. Just way too fancy for a simple southern country boy. I do know that there was fish, rice, and cheese. The sucky legs on top of everything, I could have done without. Other than that, it was actually very good.