We only planned a 38 mile ride today because of our last three longer days of riding.  So we slept in until 6:30 before we began packing and having a cup of coffee that our warmshowers host had prepared before he went out to try to reserve favorable tee times for his golf group.

Larry returned as Trudy made us smoothies for breakfast, and whipped up a batch of scrambled eggs, sautéed tomatoes with parmesan, and really delicious multi-grain bread.

Larry strongly recommended that we visit the Desert Caballeros Western Museum when we reached Wickenburg,  and wrote us a note to the staff to help us with entry.

Then we were off and beginning our day's ride.  The legs were a little sluggish from the start, but we plugged away, stopping at Whittman  for a break at the halfway point, and then continued heading for Wickenburg.

We got to the outskirts of Wickenburg,  and were about to stop for lunch,  when unexpected things happen.  An older gentleman approached us and began to ask how we were doing and the conversation headed to a decidedly bicycling direction.

Bob Reynolds is planning a Southern Tiers ride with a friend next spring and insisted on buying us lunch for a chance to spend time chatting with us.  He had passed on the road some 8 miles back and was hoping we'd pull in as we got I to town.

So we accepted Bob's gracious offer and had a delightful conversation as we enjoyed lunch.  Bob was particularly interested in our upcoming route as we cross the California coastal mountains and descend into San Diego.  We exchanged contact information and will be in touch again.

We checked into the Best Western near the town center, and laid on our beds for a few minutes relaxing, before heeding Larry's advice and heading over to the museum.   Larry's note gained us free admission and for nearly an hour we strolled through Western art, exhibits, and reconstructions, and generally had a great time.  Larry's advice was right on target.

Then we returned to the hotel and napped.  I ended up sleeping for two hrs and awoke to Barb encouraging me to come see the sunset.  I missed the best part, I'm afraid, but even what I caught was pretty spectacular.

Then we headed over to Anita's Cocina for Mexican food, one of Bob Reynolds suggestions.

We noticed a unloaded touring bike parked outside the restaurant,  and I thought it looked familiar.  And indeed when we entered the restaurant, there was Jake, young riding partner we had assumed was at least a day ahead of us.  So we sat down and caught up on recent experiences on the route over dinner.  Jake has been riding some of the tough sections we've chosen to bypass and has taken a few rest days with family and newly-made friends.  It was great to see him again, though he'll be riding longer distances starting tomorrow and this may be our last encounter on this trip.

We're back in our room, relaxing and getting ready for a good night's sleep.  Tomorrow we'll be riding to Salome.

Tired, and ready for sleep.  But feeling good and getting close to the end of our adventure.  Only 344 miles to San Diego.