High Point

47 miles, 4780' of elevation, 75 degrees
  Today had to be the most beautiful ride thus far. We started out of Silver City just after the sun was up at 7:45 am and 39 degrees. After 9 miles, we were all happy to see the sag so that we can take off all the extra clothes that we were no longer going to need. Up we went into the mountains of New Mexico with high timber and views of the surrounding mountains. We had some rollers but the majority of the ride was up. We did, however, enjoy a wonderful downhill before the climb over the pass. Let is rip!
  Emory Pass afforded us a vista that is hard to describe so the best thing is to stop putting it of and just do the ride with this remarkable reward. This is the high spot of this tour. The 8 mile descent into Kingston was just view after view so most of us sat up to cut our speed and just look around before our turn into our evening hotel, Black Range Lodge. This is a one of a kind lodge run by a family with rooms off of rooms with or without balconies. All of us are on the second floor with a large common room in the middle of both the second and first floors. Fortunately, the bikes are safe and sound outside so we did not have to carry them up the stairs.  The lodge has just gotten wifi but the entire area lacks cell coverage and no TVs The owners are busy cooking a turkey dinner and the aromas are wafting through the house. How did Woman Tours ever find this jewel?
  For those of you doing the southern tier in 2013, start training this season to have two good seasons in your legs. If your goal is to ride every mile, you will be happy you did.