Monday April 11: Gants to Albuquerque

Beautiful, cool, sunny day. Wind almost squarely on my back for most of the way. A plateau to my left for a good part of the way.

At one point the wind shifted and came at me directly to my left. This is a dangerous situation for the following reason. In order to compensate for the wind, you have to lean to your left - into the traffic. When a large trunk comes between you and the force of the wind, you have to stop leaning left almost instantly. It is much easier to handle wind coming directly from you right.

Spent some time on old Route 66. At the crest of a mountain, Albuquerque comes into view at the bottom of the valley with mountains in the background - quite a dramatic vew. At night I've heard it is spectacular.

Passed the Rio Grande river just to the west of the town.

Spending the night with the Jim and Ellie Knight - relatives of good friends.