Out West Again

Sunset seen from our NYC apartment, April 17, 2017.

This morning, Jeffrey’s best and prettiest friend—Nancy!—took him out for breakfast, and then to LaGuardia airport.

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We’re off! I’m stuffed in the red pannier.

Our building, from which we saw last night’s sunset, is marked with a red dot.

Most of America is empty. As we flew west, we looked down on a vast territory through which in five weeks, split between two years, we had pedaled our way to Albuquerque. Today’s trip took about five hours.

The disks are irrigated fields.

Rugged New Mexico, with snowy peaks near and far.

We were met at the Albuquerque airport by our good friends Peggy and George, who took Jeffrey to a nice restaurant. At the restaurant, Jasmine took one of Jeffrey’s new calling cards, heard a little about the Ride and the plight of refugees, and voiced enthusiastic support.

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Peggy and George brought us to their lovely house in Rio Rancho.

Here’s the Sprint 26. In the 10 months since we left it in Rio Rancho, it gave birth to a baby trike! Peggy introduced us.

Tonight’s sunset view of the Sandia (“watermelon” in Spanish) Mountains, east toward NYC.

Peggy and George will play a big role in this year’s Ride.

The weather, the terrain, the political climate, and the vast stretches of desert that pale frail Jeffrey must traverse, scared Jeffrey’s family and friends . . . and Jeffrey too, a little. Today, George offered to shadow us on the road in his car. Peggy said, why not rent a truck, so if a rescue is necessary, the Sprint 26 can be rescued too. George made the arrangements!

We have a long, hard road ahead. Thanks to Peggy and George, until we get through the Mojave Desert, we will not be on that road alone.

10 thoughts on “Out West Again”

I had thought about someone shadowing you. Great idea. I am sure Nancy thinks so, too. Love to Peggy and George. And Bon Voyage!

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Sometimes I envy Joey for his luck to be chauffeured around but this time I was worried about Jeffrey. Very glad to hear that you won’t be alone out there. Have a wonderful ride!!!

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So grateful for friends! Thank you Jeff and Joey for continuing this ride, talking with those you meet, and sharing your and their perspectives in this blog. Thank you George and Peggy for so many things(and I loved the placement of Naima’s trike!) and especially for this latest offer, George, to shadow Jeff and Joey.

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