Pie Town, New Mexico: it's not just about the pie!! [it's mostly about the pie]

Betty forced me out of my pajama-ed solitude and took me to Pie Town. We didn't have pie (I have no good excuse for that), but we did meet four Canada-to-Mexico bikers. Two of them (Hans and Denise) are updating on their Facebook page; they also keep a blog when they have enough connection and electricity. Check out Hans and Denise's Excellent Adventure.

Do you know Nita's Toaster House? It's a free hostel catering to through-hikers and -bikers. Nita isn't always there, but she leaves the hostel open. There are beds to bunk down in, electricity, even food and beer.

She's a trail angel, for sure.

I haven't been blogging because you don't need to know how I'm organizing my clothes, or how many ginger snaps I eat in one sitting. It has been a quiet life here for a little while, and it just feels right. After a while (how long? how long will my ginger snaps hold out?), it won't feel quite as right, and I'll load up Spud and caress the highway with her tires.

My driveway and boardwalk, though ... boy howdy! This is living! Sunbathing on my deck! Yee-haw! This is to tell you that I'd love to see more of you, and unless you call first, you'll see more of me.

Datil New Mexico to Pinetop-Lakeside Arizona to Flagstaff

Before I left Datil, Betty gave me a going-away lizard.

Did someone call for a ... lizard? [chicka bow bow]

Don't judge me. College is expensive.

 

Did I mention Jackson Park in Pie Town? Seventy-five acres of (free - donations encouraged) boondocking. There are lots of big trees and spaces for big rigs. No toilets, though, and that was that for me.

I'm set up for very remote bucketing, but when there are other campers nearby I demur. 

I stopped to see my friends Sue and Steve in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona. That's a happ'nin' little town, and after New Mexico I felt overwhelmed by the traffic. Sue showed me a couple of places where I could spend the night after she cooked me a delicious vegan dinner. After I ate and talked and laughed with them, I headed out to find a spot. 

My favorite was Scott Reservoir campground, but it was full. If you go through, watch the road. I bottomed out on the same rock twice. You won't do that.

At the last minute, I decided to push on through to Holbrook. That's before I saw 77 at night. Getting on is a long-term commitment, and so I committed myself.

 

Once I was in Holbrook, I just decided to go as far as I could manage. I pulled off a couple of times but couldn't sleep, so I kept going. 

I got as far as Flagstaff, pulled off in a neighborhood, and when I woke in the morning, I was in front of my cousins' house. Surprise! They were surprised, too, when I stealthily rolled out the door and activated the car alarm in my pocket. Here I am!

Bailey, Sarah, and Landon. Names are interchangeable. 

This mosaic is on a motel next to the Auto Zone. I think I take its picture every time I see it.

 

Rent me! Don't judge - college is expensive.
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