I've been eying a highway loop that goes behind the White Tank Mountains, west of Phoenix. Joan checked it out on a mapping program and said, "It looks like it is 4 lane highway." Today is the day.
We had lunch south, so came north on Loop 303. West on Bell Road. As we approached the White Tank Mountains, civilization dropped off pretty fast - saguaros and other desert fauna...
Bell Road turns into Sun Valley Parkway - it is a very nice 4 lane road...
It is almost 50 miles, running north along the mountains, then west past the northern side of the mountains, and south along the west side of the mountains, making this a 100 mile round trip. You eventually wind up connecting with I-10 west of Buckeye. Not much in the way of "twisties" for the road, but it is wide and relatively smooth. The speed limit is 55 most of the way, but without any traffic for miles, you can run as fast or slow as you choose.
Along the way, we came across two communities. Tartesso...
Closer to I-10. And another Del Webb development, Sun City Festival (55+) and a Pulte Homes (families) development across the street from that...
We rode between the two, then drove into the Sun City side - very nice. It is about 15 miles away from anything else, sitting out in the desert by itself. Seeing some landscaped greenery after that drive through the desert was a nice change...
A stop for some nice cold water to drink, then back on the road; the temp topped out today around 90º, with very low humidity, important to stay hydrated. We stopped a few times so I could take some photos of the cacti...
The saguaro are all unique. This tall, skinny guy...
and, this over-achiever...
This one that appears to be on the way out...
and, these that look like fertility idols...
You've heard the expression: snuggly as a prickly cactus? Well, cacti hug, too...
Those two on the right appear to be "spooning." ;-)
It has been so dry this year, we haven't seen much blooming. Some color in small plants...
This barrel cactus had the buds, but any blooms were dried out...
Man made sentinels...
That photo above with Joan and bikes on the side has a sign that says: "Watch for Animals." We did see a rodent of some sort run across the road, and a couple lizards. I had a moment of concern when a big bird (looked like a buzzard) followed us for a bit. ;-)
It was a good ride: like having a 4 lane highway all to yourself. Rugged mountain views. We could ride slow while sight-seeing and not have to be concerned about getting run down from behind.
Our timing was good, too. We got back and cleaned up the bikes around 4:00. When we came inside and turned on the news, they were saying the winds and blowing dust and sand that was predicted to move into the area is arriving ahead of schedule... dust storm warnings for late this afternoon and evening.
I think we'll give the bikes a day off tomorrow. ;-)
Fuel mileage report (fueled up this morning, before the desert run): I got the best yet on my bike: 106 mpg. Joan logged her best, too: 113 mpg. I am amazed.
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How's little Izzy? She's fine. Sweet as ever...
"Do you want to go with us on the bikes, Izzy?"
"Nooooooooooo!!"
;-)
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