Faith

That deep emotional conviction of the presence of a superior reasoning power, which is revealed in the incomprehensible universe, forms my idea of God.

~Albert Einstein

Jen and I went to church today and I was immediately transported thirty-odd years back into my youth.  Sitting in South Lake Steven's Covenant Church in a stuffy v-neck sweater and polyester slacks with the heavy weight of my Dad's hand on my the small of my neck reminding me that church was not a place to fuss.  The strong scent of Old Spice permeated the air as I restlessly swung my short legs from the hard pews.  I detested the children's talk when I had to go sit in front of the congregation and nod my head like I understood what in the world the pastor was talking about; protest was futile and I endured knowing it always signaled the time that I would soon be able to escape to the refuge of  Sunday School to play Bingo and steal a cookie or two from the kitchen along the way.

I have spent more hours than I am proud of arguing validity of divine belief with my poor Mother but had a bit of an epiphany today as Jen and I walked away from Saint Paul's Methodist Church into the warm El Paso sun.  Arguing faith is a waist of precious time and that I am man of great faith.
I have faith that drivers will give us a few feet and maybe slow down a little when they approach us from behind.  I have faith that more folks we meet along the way will be kind than hostile to a couple of dirty pedaling travelers from the Northwest.  I have faith that Jenny and I will reach the East Coast in a few months and feel better about this country than when we left our home in the Northwest last July.
Logic is not really on my side, to saddle a bike with my lovely wife and try to ride across this great country of roads where the car is king really defies quite a bit of common sense.  This is not lost on me,  and all I can say is that sometimes you just have to have a little faith.

Kloshe nanitch
Kloshe konaway

Matt

A bets are off now!  Jenny has hit a new low. 

San Marita copper & gold pit mine.  A mere 1600 feet deep. 

Emory Pass (8228 ft) is the last major climb in NM before dropping into the Rio Grand drainage 

 Jen, Dimitri and I stopped at the Black Range Lodge in Kingston, NM looking for water and ended up staying two days.  Catherine and Gary were the most gracious and hospitable hosts and any traveler would be remiss not to stay with them if visiting this beautiful region of New Mexico.

The Kingsnake is non-venomous and eats other snakes.  I am buying my Mom one for Christmas. 

Hatch, NM.  The chile capital of the World.

We met Fred on the road outside of Radium New Mexico and shared a drink and few stories from the road.  Riding for over eight years and ninety thousand miles, Fred is a member of what Jen and I have come to call the "Life Tour Club".

 The Rio not-so Grande

"Sissy, you ain't gonna ride the bull!" 

I ordered a set of these for our place in Seattle.

Our wonderful El Paso host Pam Rowley. 

 The city of El Paso is visibly  indistinguishable from it's neighbor Cuidad Jaurez to the south.  Separated by the ditches of the Rio Grande and 30 foot razor wire, Jaurez is different world entirely.  Drug violence has made Jaurez one of the most dangerous places in the world while El Paso enjoys one of the lowest murder rates in the United States.