1996 Cross-Country Tour. Day 30, June 16, Cimmaron to Des Moines NM

Sunday June 16, Cimmaron to Des Moines NM

78 miles

Day 30 map

"Where the Antelope Play"

You can just make out the antelope in the field I figure I am now at about the half-way point on my cross-country bike trek. Although the cycle computer reads only about 1800 miles, a bit under half the distance, now that we are in the flatlands of the Great Plains the daily mileage should increase.

We have been cycling through range country. We haven't seen any buffalo roaming yet, but we did see some antelope playing (or grazing or whatever antelope do). Those are actually antelope in the bottom center of the photo.

Cattle in a field looking at the camera Other than that, there are lots of range cattle, but not much else. This country is as desolate in its own way as the desert we left a couple days ago.

Central Hotel with its 5 rooms Tonight we are checked into the Central Motel in central downtown Des Moines NM (poulation perhaps 100?) Room number 2 (out of 5 total) is a bit of a tight fit for two people and two bicycles, but at $26 a night it will do nicely. The velour bedspreads are a nice extra.

By the way, if you ever happen to be travelling route 64 through northeastern New Mexico, check out the Sierra Grande restaurant about a mile east of Des Moines. As we have been travelling through cattle country, Adam has had a heck of a time finding reasonable vegetarian food in restaurants. He was pleasantly surprised to find a small-town restaurant with several interesting items on the menu. His vegetarian plate and my stuffed soparilla were both very good and served in cycle-tourist quantities.

Back - Top - Forward