United States
Iron Spring

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    • Day 44

      Day 43-45 Indianna pass to Ojo

      August 23, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

      Crossing the New Mexico boarder and I am into my 7th and final state of the trip. The end is in sight. I have never been one to follow the flock, or the path that society dictates is “correct”. Sat at a little town called Platoro I realised I have done this route my way from the start. I have laughed, sobbed, found alternatives when our group was in a pickle, survived solo, struggled up passes and actually managed not to come off the bike once, which anyone who has cycled with me on a mtb knows this in itself is an achievement. Hurricane Hillary is currently sweeping across the west coast, causing severe rain on the south of the route and potentially could make the New Mexico dessert impassable by bike. Sat on a veranda with a cold beer given to me by the owner Nick and chatting to a fellow hippy rider “or die” I started to realise what I was about to accomplish. I was being called “Bad Ass” it made me a little embarrassed as I just see myself as a regular mum of two, getting up each day for a bike ride. My daughter had planned to be in US at the end of the month and one thing this trip has taught me is people, family and those closest to you are all that really matter in life. Time spent with them. So I decided once I cross the New Mexico boarder I would head to Santa Fe and that would be the end of my biking journey. Meeting my daughter is too important to miss. I will have achieved what I set out to do and cycled across America. Overcome mental and physical challenges everyday, and decided I will write that book!Read more

    • Day 33

      Ojo Caliente Campground

      September 18, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

      Heather was disappointed at not taking a hot springs soak in Durango, so we were excited to see Ojo Caliente Hot Springs Resort was on our way to Santa Fe. Out in the middle of nowhere, we were prepared to spring for a cottage, but then discovered they also have a CAMPGROUND! Not only do we get to sleep in our cozy and well appointed geezer-mobile, but with all the money we saved we are springing for some fabulous SPA services tomorrow!Read more

    • Day 33

      Dinner at the Ojo Caliente Resort

      September 18, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

      After spending the afternoon lounging in the multitude of hot pools, we headed for dinner. We started off with our beers because we arrived before the dining room opened at 5pm. Heather had a very tasty porter and Gordon was adventuresome with an over the top Double IPA with an IBU of 110. For dinner, we started off with a delicious beet salad. Heather then had a very spicy chili relleno and Gordon had scrumptious chicken enchiladas accompanied by a more sedate IPA with an IBU of 100.Read more

    • Day 34

      The spa. Aaaaaaah.

      September 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

      We headed Over to the pools about noon for a fabulous soak and shady relaxation prior to our appointments. We tried to get the same treatments scheduled for the same time. We succeeded with the Ancient Echoes: “Based on East Indian Head Massage techniques, this therapy will take you on a voyage that explores a variety of massage and energy balancing techniques of the upper back, shoulders, arms, neck, scalp, face and ears; finishing off with a luxurious foot massage.”

      We also tried for the add-on Native American blue cornmeal prickly pear cactus skin scrub: This unique mixture of blue corn, prickly pear and ancient sea salt whisks away dry, dull skin revealing a softer, smoother texture ... rid the body of impurities ... nourishes skin and soothes irritations ... improve circulation and metabolism ... hot herbal towels open your pores and relax ... etc. etc. Unfortunately only one of us could get that add on scheduled, so being a gentleman, Gordon volunteered to pursue an alternative, more gender-appropriate add on of a beer on the porch of the wine bar.

      We met back on the porch to continue the happy hour Gordon had started, and congratulated ourselves on our decision to come here. We were quickly joined by Steve and Monta Lee, a retired couple from Colorado who continue to consult for museums around the world. We enjoyed a lively happy hour discussion of travels and exotic places we had all visited.

      We didn’t want to disturb the peace of the spa (whisper only zone!) to take photos, so we snagged some off the web so you would get an idea of the ambience and just a couple of the many pools.
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    • Day 34

      Breakfast at the Artesian restaurant

      September 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

      We enjoyed our dinner so much, we could see no reasonable alternative but to check out the breakfast menu. I have bad news for our friend Carole who appears to be wondering about the cost of all this good eating, but GOOD news for my sister Bonnie who sat with me at the feet of our Scottish grandfather when he opined, “You cannae be a-dietin’ on vacation.” And what was I to do in the face of blue corn and piñon nut pancakes with real maple syrup? Well, what?! Thank you grandpa Nicoll!

      After breakfast, we rolled over to check out the gift shop, because you never know. Gordon bought me some of the yummy Ojo brand Desert Sage body care products which I had tried in the spa and loved. (Come on ... no I didn’t EAT them! Though I suppose I couldn’t blame you if you thought I did.) Then we found a real score! A t-shirt that is long enough for Gordon (in a lovely shade of Heather green I might add). This is rare. Gordon is 7 inches taller than I am, and we can wear the same jeans. So now he is a prince of spa fashion, and I smell great!

      At the cash register we must have been giddy with our purchases. The young saleswoman asked if we were married. I asked, “Why, do we act like an old married couple?” “No,” she replied. “I’d put you down more as honeymooners.” Well, giddy is as giddy does, I guess.
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