Nick and KJ took me in as one of their own yesterday and I have not felt as connected with other humans on this adventure as I did with those two generous individuals. They both graduated from LSU and have since tried various jobs and had not found the satisfaction they know they deserve.

They are now in their first year as owners of the RV park and cafe and seem to have a handle on it all. Talking with Nick while he was preparing pizzas in the kitchen, it is simply amazing how much logistics it requires to keep them on top of things when the nearest town with any type of supplies is a two hour drive away, depending on traffic. They are brilliant humans that seem to have found their calling and I am really happy for them.

At the end of the evening after we cleaned up the kitchen and cafe area, we sat down and enjoyed one of Nick’s pizzas and it was a very pleasant way to end the evening and spend my last night in Colorado. Good people.

I was a little excited to get to New Mexico today and begin the most challenging state on this route. It is time to slow my roll and take it easy to get to the border down south.

Just as I was about to leave Platoro early this morning, I heard an elk call out and it echoed nicely across the valley. It had rained last night and the ground fog around the river flowing through the valley was present before the sun came up.

The sun came up easy on me today as I was on the eastern side of the valley and it took a while for the sun’s rays to find me. I did see a nice white-tailed buck this morning that let me get pretty close before it ran across the road and turned around briefly to take another look at me.

Before I got to Horca, KJ passed me on her way to Alamosa to get some supplies for their business. It was nice to have one final wave goodbye. Once in Horca, it was time to start the climb up to La Manga Pass. This pass would be climbed on some switchbacks on nice pavement.

After coming down the pass on the backside, it was not long before I jumped back on the gravel and dirt road to New Mexico. Colorful Colorado was a an absolute beautiful state to be able to ride through while on this journey. Thank you Colorado!

Carson National Forest will be my introduction to New Mexico as I start my way through the last state on the GDMBR. I indeed slowly started my way through this proper introduction to New Mexico en route to my campsite for the night.

I did experience my first prolonged hike-a-bike in New Mexico that even a few people on ATVs had to take their time driving up. Once I made it to the top of this rocky hill, the views were amazing.

I spoke with a couple from Horca that had passed me on their ATV a few minutes before we met again at the top. Seems they were hopeful for some rain as they are mushroom hunters. Well, as I am in my tent now at my remote campsite, it is indeed raining and they are being granted their wish.