Day 1 – actually it's day 2 (we were too tired to write any thing last night). Within the first 8 miles the speaker cover blew off of my bike. Never even looked for it. Then later on my Sirius radio kept falling off of it's holder, luckily I was able to catch it each time, but that kept me from thinking about my left ear that was folded over under my helmet (can ears break?) After the last time my radio fell off, the wires came off of the radio.. Now I had more time to think about my ear. Only 20 miles to Big Spring.
It took 9 hours to get to Carlsbad. The heat in New Mexico is brutal, 104 degrees. Needless to say, when we got to the hotel, I got in bed and didn't get up until 5 am this morning. No more 9 hour days for me. 8 is enough. Obviously, I won't be going on any Iron Butt rides, already had the monkey butt. We did get 5 pillows on our bed, I was in heaven! Carol

Carlsbad, NM – Arrived for the five o'clock rush hour, more traffic then we have seen all day. Actually, there is not too many people to see across west Texas and southern New Mexico. Mostly sand and oilfields in Texas. In New Mexico it turned greener, flat, bushy with scatted mesquite trees and hot. After Lamasa TX it got hotter and and the wind which we have been dealing with all day got much worse. The last fifty mile seemed to take FOREVER and the heat really drained us. 104 degrees on our arrival. Remember the camera battery at 3:30 this morning! All charged up ans ready to go, now we just need to remember to take some pictures. Days Inn in Carlsbad is very nice, great room, indoor pool and jacuzzi, free breakfast, highly recommended. Later, Steve