Day 48: into the canyon

I camped last night at the top of a mountain. I started this cold morning with a long descent, no pedaling necessary, almost 3000 feet to the bottom of salt water canyon. I had trouble keeping my fingers warm and for the first time I hoped for an uphill climb to warm me up. It was a spectacular ride and I soon forgot how cold I was. The canyon gives an incredible sense of space when you can see the your road out on the other side wind up like a string wrapped around the canyon wall. Soon enough I was over there slowly climbing up. It wasn't too steep and the road surface was great so it was a pleasant climb. After a few hours climbing out the road again tilts down for a steep descent into Tonto National Forest. Then climb again and scoot down into Globe. By now the wind had picked up and I had climed close to a mile vertical. So as luck would have it a warm shower, though not home, hosted me in his pool room (his friend/associate let me in). Sheltered from the wind, perched above the scatter of traffic winding below I will rest and recover so I can descend into Phoenix tomorrow.