Miles today: 496.
Miles to date: 4977.
So I'm running out of ways to describe the vast expanse that is the American Southwest. Although I would classify myself as a rather urban fellow and lover of cities, I'm starting to see some appeal in the solitude offered by these lands. Today's long run took me through some more spectacular scenery and ultimately put me very close to the Mexican border in the least immigrant friendly state in the land. I'm hoping that Arizona authorities are only profiling Mexican aliens and that I don't become the lone Canadian example of this new legislation.
Today saw me blast through the Magdalena mountains, glimpse the Very Large Array Telescope (Americans are so literal) which appears to be some elaborate way to get really good TV reception, cross the continental divide, catch 4 disguised Audi sedans undergoing desert testing, cruise through Apache National Forest, cross into Arizona, and finally make it into Tombstone, AZ.
The highlight of the day occurred whilst I was barreling through Old Horse Springs, NM. Everyone, and I mean everyone - drivers coming the other way, old man leaning against a fence, pedestrians, and mechanic at work - insisted at waving to me in a most friendly way. I got so caught up in the feeling of community, I even waved back.
Tombstone seems to be filled with wannabe cowboys that rank lower on the evolutionary scale than rednecks. I was hoping for a little more from this place so famous that Val Kilmer played Doc Holliday in a cinematic tribute. Sadly, it feels rather a cartoonish shell that doesn't much appeal to me. Perhaps I'm just a little crusty from the long day at the wheel, but I'm underwhelmed. There is history here, it just doesn't fell as though it has been treated with respect. Think more Lundy's Lane than the Smithsonian.
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