Bicycling Montana, Wyoming,
Colorado and New Mexico - 2006

Antonito, CO to Ojo Caliente, NM

July 7, 2006
Distance 61.9 Miles
Climbing Elevation: 860 feet

When we awoke this morning, the sky was overcast and only very rare spots of blue sky could be seen. We ate breakfast and were on the bicycle and riding by 8:00 AM. We traveled only 6 miles when we entered New Mexico, the 32nd state we have ridden in.

Early morning we began going uphill at such a gradual grade and a small tail wind that we were able to travel at 15 to 20 mph. After 15 miles we finally began to go down hill but now we began to have a slight head wind so even though we were now generally going down hill, our speed did not increase. The scenery in New Mexico, looked very much like Wyoming, sagebrush and very small trees.

We stopped at Tres Piedres, NM for a mid morning snack. By 12:30 PM we had covered 62 miles and had arrived at our destination, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs.

Our room is part of an old motel built in 1916. They have since added cabins and the bathhouses The problem was that we could not check in until 3:00 PM. So we ate lunch in their restaurant and then put on our swim suits and soaked in some of the mineral baths. We also had a "wrap". First you soak in a tub full of mineral water for 25 minutes and then you are wrapped in a thin blanket and a second wool blanket and left to sweat for an additional 25 minutes. Not our usual way to spend an afternoon. This is defiantly a Spa; you can have messages, yoga, manicures, etc.