We were up again at 6 am Mountain St time, since Arizona doesn't observe daylight savings time.  That meant the sun was already peaking over the mountains, but we'd been warned that a shift change at the copper mine near Threeway would mean heavy traffic on the roads between 6 and 7.  So there was no need for a pre-dawn alarm.

We finished packing and about 7, said goodbye to Julian, the eastbound rider who camped with us last night.  Then headed down to the store to find breakfast.  We actually lingered as we stood and ate a microwaved burrito, juice, and a cup of coffee.  Mostly we were hesitant because the road we were to take snaked up the mountainside across from our camps it in much too plain a view.  It had certainly been on my mind as we fell asleep, and Julian reported that a sign in the downhill direction had advertised a 7% grade.  We weren't in much of a hurry to start.

But when the coffee was finished, and another run to the porta-john had been made there was no delaying.  The hill was everything advertised, and I imagine there were folks at the store who watched us start out ascent wondering how we would fair.  Well, we didn't ride up without stopping a few times, but we never had to push our bikes,  either.  The first four miles were the most difficult, then the grade eased slightly.  Barb said she noticed because her speed increased from 4.4 mph to 4.6. For me the lessened grade moved me from working above my aerobic threshhold to working just at it.  In any case, about an hour and a half after starting we reached the top of the pass.

The ride down the other side was a long gentle descent, only interrupted by stops to take photos of the amazing scenery, rock formations,  and wildflowers.   Unlike our descent yesterday,  the wrather was spectacular.

The descent was a total of 13 miles, during which we rarely had to either pedal or brake hard.   What a joy!

When we got to the bottom of the descent, the road turged to join US 70, and we rode the next 10 miles in the Gila River valley, with a nice tailwind.   We were living right.

We got into Safford about 11:30, and stopped at the tourist information Center to pick up maps, get directions to the bike shop, inquire about car rentals, and recommendations for lunch.

By noon we were at a local Mexican restaurant eating quesadillas and tacos, then we headed to the bike shop.  While I had a minor repair made and checked availability of a few replacement parts, Barb called and arranged for a rental car.

 By 3pm, we had left our bikes at the shop, and loaded our gear in the car and were driving towards Cochise AZ,  where Barb's friends Jim and Ruth Graham own a pistachio grove, vineuards, and winery.

We've enjoyed a delicious supper accompanied by a several selections of Golden Rule wines and fine conversation that lasted well past our normal bedtime of 8 pm.

We're spending a day off the bikes today at the winery, but will return to Safford later this afternoon and will be back on the route tomorrow.

Doing well and enjoying our adventure.