Newlyweds Bike Across America!: Arizona!!

We thought we already liked Arizona, but we hadn't been to Bisbee yet! Our largest climb of the tour delivered us to the old mining town of Bisbee, Arizona! We modified our tour to take us though Bisbee because of all the greatest publicity it was getting from everyone we talked to. Boy were we not disappointed. A funky, weird, proud, wonderful, hilly town perched in a Canyon, Bisbee used to be the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco and now is a mecca for people seeking a tolerant town and a good year-round climate.

We found hospitality at Eldorado Suites right in Old Bisbee. Great, clean, suites with full kitchens!! We went to nearby Mimosa Market and stocked up on supplies for a super hearty breakfast. Then across the "Gulch" to The Quarry, a funky delicious gastropub that made the best bloody mary I ever have tasted.

Beautiful streets of Bisbee

View from our Hotel

The mines of Bisbee. Here once stood a mountain.

The next day (today), took us 85ish miles northeast along a beautiful valley between two terrific mountain ranges, within 2 miles of Mexico and up to the birding paradise of Portal, AZ! We dipped into New Mexico for about 15 minutes and then turned back into good old Arizona to camp at a terrific Warm Showers host behind his off-the-grid house near Portal. Tomorrow was going to be a 100 mile trip half way to El Paso, Texas. However as we look at the weather, the winds would make it all but impossible. With not very many services between here and El Paso we are electing to take a day here in Portal and explore the Coronado National Forest, where there is a chance to see an Elegant Trogon or any other of the 300+ bird species in the area!! We will also get to use our hammock and swim suits for the first time and make the voyage to El Paso starting Thursday morning.