I literally just sat in front of the trade center yesterday in my comfortable chair and talked to various people as they visited the store, did some laundry or simply picked up their mail. I met some very nice and interesting people for sure.

Stacy drives a couple hours in from Albuquerque to help her parents with laundry along with helping them with other more serious concerns in their lives. She said she often gives them money to be able to get by since jobs are slim pickings in the Navajo Nation. She is a wonderful daughter and a kind soul.

I met a local school teacher that is ready for the summer break to be over. I met a guy that was very friendly and then asked if I wanted to purchase artifacts before he jumped in his truck and took off.

Michael, a southbound Canadian cyclist, stopped in for a while. His son had rode with him to Silverthorne before he had to return home. While I was talking with Michael, a man gave us both a mango green tea and wished us safe travels. I am beyond amazed at the generosity of these people. It was hard and heavy to see the struggle that is more than real in their lives and to have them smile at me and wish me safe travels was way more than I expected.

The trade center closes at 8 pm and the workers lock the gate when they leave for the day, leaving me and apparently another couple that lives in a travel trailer on the other side of the store inside the fenced in area for the night. Cyclists get the spot behind the Santa Fe freight car and it is absolutely perfect.

Before retiring for the night, I watched the supermoon rise and also was lucky enough to see a couple fallen stars that streaked across the clear sky. The supermoon stayed in the sky all night and was slowly setting as I began riding this morning.

The gate is normally not opened until the employee opening the store shows up at 6:30 am. However, one of the family members that is living on the other side of the trade center left a little before 6:00 am. This meant the gate was open and I was free and could get on it nice and early.

It was not too long before I found myself in a beautiful canyon and it offered some amazing views. It really was a perfect morning of riding and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience this land.

This part of the route is such a vast contrast from what I have already experienced along the GDMBR. I have enjoyed the entire route as it truly does give so much variety and guaranteed eye candy everyday.

I experienced some really long straight stretches that were miles long and so deceiving when trying to judge distance. The traffic was so limited that I essentially had the road all to myself all morning.

The miles were ticking off and it would not be long before I was on Historic Route 66 and pulling into Grants. I was so excited to see the old historic route and some of the old road signs that are still up despite the businesses they showcased being long gone.

Another great day of riding and I am excited about tomorrow’s ride to Pie Town. Who wouldn’t be excited about getting to Pie Town?