FIRST FLAT!!

Apache Junction- Globe AZ 44.2 miles

Today was my rite of passage day FIRST FLAT of the trip . Heading up a long hill in Tonto National Forest and just before the top- there it was .Thankfully I was not speeding down the other side . It was just one of those pesky wires- I think from radial tires. With Patti, Karen and Joanne’s expertise (see photo) we changed pretty quickly. Other than the flat the first 20 miles were a breeze, uphill but beautiful scenery red rock formations all around. We all gathered at the 23 mile mark to assess the next 25 . At which point I had another ‘will to live” moment” Next 9 miles are a 7% grade uphill with amazing traffic and tiny shoulder with rumble strips ---NO room for error. Decided to sag up half of it. We did do our first tunnel ascending. Amy drove behind us with flashing lights- the roar of the cars and trucks going through the tunnel was deafening but hey now we have tunnels under our belts. More uphills a 5 mile downhill into Miami, the copper mining capital of Arizona and ending up, with even more uphills on the east side of Globe. Day of glorious scenery, tailwinds , perfect mid50's temps and harrowing roads. To survive is to win!