Yuma AZ to Dateland AZ

Wednesday March 16th

  We are staying in a “primitive” campground in Dateland AZ. No wi-fi and barely cell service. I will try to add some of todays photos in tomorrows report  

This morning we rode for the first 20 miles through and around giant produce farms.  They were picking what appeared to be some type of head lettuce and another crop that we couldn't identify from a distance.  These are giant farms. At one location, there were perhaps 20-25 farm workers with hoes, going down the rows and manually chopping at weeds.  

After the farm area, we headed pretty much due East for the next 50 miles.  There was a friendly tail wind that helped us with our pedaling. We passed a sample “feed lot” operation that contained thousands of cows that live there leading a leisurely life eating 24/7 until they are deemed ready for sale to beef processors. 

At 11 AM, we had a sag stop at a little restaurant.  When biking, never pass up the opportunity to eat.  Two eggs, bacon and SOS filled the bill there.  Washed it down with a Dr Pepper.  Hopped back on the bike and rode the final 25 miles, including the last 15 on Interstate 8.  Traffic was moderate but the shoulder was excellent, unlike the section yesterday.

Arrived in Dateland at 1 PM and enjoyed a date milk shake.  There were a lot of curious tourists asking about our ride, and surprisingly everyone stopped to wish us Good Luck as they left the place.  Our Campground was across the street from the Date place   My understanding is that this is the only place in the US that is warm enough to grow dates.  They require X number of days over 100 to grow properly.

I was just reminded, a train passing by.   We are sandwiched between I-8 and the railroad, both being very close to the campgrounds.  Western trains are long, 4-5 engines and often another engine in the middle.  In 2020, I think I woke up to the first train but was oblivious to the others thru out the night.

So ends riding day 5, 70 hot sunny miles at an average pace of 16.3 mph and climbing 891 feet. Calories burned were 2229.   Our group is working out pretty well together as we learn more about each other every day.  And I still enjoy riding my bike!