Except for the miles, today was supposed to be an easy day.



The small climb over the pass north-east of Glamis was not that
high, but the `plateau' on the top was not as flat as the map let us
to believe. It was ten miles of high rollers, after the climb. Not
what we were in mood for on a 90 mile day. But we did arrive in
Blythe at 5:30, which was better than yesterday.

But the weather was perfect, with a high of around 85° and a nice
breeze, mostly at our backs.

The Imperial Sand Dunes were stark and beautiful. Luckily we passed
them before the week-end dune buggy riders showed up.

Glamis, what can I say? We were told that there was only one
general store in Glamis, after that, no food, water or facilities
until Palo Verde, forty miles away and over the pass. So how did we
miss it you ask? Well, Ken and I arrive at this building that
said "Glamis Beach" general store right beside the dunes. But
on the road there was a sign that said Glamis with a big arrow
pointing up the road. So we thought this was just a store servicing
the sand vehicle riders, and that "Glamis" was up ahead. Besides,
Bonnie was ahead of Ken and me, and we know she would have stopped
at the store. We did not see any bikes there. For that matter Marge
was not there either. So we pedaled on.

In about three to four miles it became painfully obvious that we
were mistaken, especially when the next sign said Palo Verde 36
miles, but no mention of Glamis. We eventually found Bonnie sitting
under a bush on the side of the road, taking a break. She had made
the same mistake. The only ones who actually stopped there were Gail
and Susie. They were behind us because they stopped to take pictures
of the sand dunes. Now they will tell you how they were not fooled
by the two misleading signs, however, I suspect it had more to do
with the available facilities.

I have always heard that on a long tour the third day is the most
painful, and I can now attest to that. As we trudged the last 20
miles from Palo Verde to Blythe, everybody was wiggling in their
saddles. This report would be a lot longer, but it is hard to type
standing up.

But tomorrow, we leave California and enter Arizona.

For those of you who are keeping track, to date we have ridden 250.6
miles.

Eric Goodis