Days 31 & 32
50 miles on day 31, rest day 32
I’m writing this post with a heavy heart. We have just said goodbye to our friend Mike. We met Mike on 15th June as we left Cedar City. We always knew he was going as far as Pueblo but we tried not to contemplate this too much.
We arrived here yesterday, we were guided into Pueblo by a very lovely lady called Dr Karen Randall who met us on highway 50 but was kind enough to take us into the city via another much more quiet and scenic route.
Karen works in the City’s ER and we shared a few stories on the ride in. She kindly took us to the bike shop where Mike planned to leave his bike as they will post it home to Oregon for him.
After this we said goodbye to Karen and went to find some accommodation. We found a motel and then went into town to have a look around. We went for a short boat ride on the Arkansas River, ate pizza in a nice restaurant and then went for a walk.
We soon came across 3D’s Cigar shop and decided that the completion of Mikes journey warranted a celebratory cigar. The very pleasant, enthusiastic and knowledgeable Emilio who you see with us in the humidor helped us choose. Emilio then let us relax in comfy chairs at the back of the shop where we smoked, chatted and drank the rum that was donated. It was magnificent.
We then went for a walk, drank beer in Michaels Bar and enjoyed Pueblo by night.
We headed back to the Motel about 2300.
Day 32
Wednesday 29th June 2016
So here we are. The only thing that mattered today is the departure of our friend. Mike dropped his bike at the shop for shipping home, we went into town for food and a walk and then we went with Mike to the bus station. My heart skips at his leaving he has become an integral part of our journey and both Tracey and I will miss him intensely. That said, we celebrate our friendship and look forward to seeing him again one day. We have shared some tough roads, some oppressive heat, some thirst and a lot of fatigue. Mike you are the best.
