Day 45: the great divide

I left Socorro before the sun. The way out is a constant climb for 10 miles, then it opens to a high plane that slowly climbs to Magdalina. I stopped for a big second breakfast. From there it's a series of step hills up to another huge plane at 7000 foot elevation. The very large array radio telescope is on this plane. It was 30 miles or so of straight asphalt climb to Datil. After Datil the ride gets interesting as the road winds through rock faces and huge ponderosa pines. 20 miles further is Pie town. That's right, and they have the absolute best pie here. I had NM apple pie (with chilies and pine nuts), black berry peach, lemon meringue, sweet potato pie and I've got pecan oat pie for breakfast. The pie-a-neer people are really interesting and friendly, and they showed me to the Toaster house, a hostel for hikers and cyclists. I got a nice fire going now to keep me warm tonight.