Pass with a prize

Today we rode 71 miles to Las Cruces, a little longer than the route, as Las Cruces seems to lack signage, at least along our route.  We almost missed the lunch spot because the road number shown on Google maps wasn’t shown on the road.  Along the way we passed entrances to the White Sands Missle Range, which I learned is the largest military facility in the country.  We saw signs saying no photos, but we couldn’t see anything anyway.

Are we headed straight for these mountains?

No, the road will turn as it heads upward.

A long gentle climb to the pass, about 8 miles at a 5 percent grade.

Now we are nearly as high as those peaks we rode toward all morning.

The prize at the top!  The Californians among us say we were looking at California poppies, I think they are New Mexico poppies.

Looking back at the peaks from the other side.

And some bike humor.  These guys were about two feet tall.