Three weeks have past since we began our motorcycle trip which is hard to believe. When time isn't of matter there is a feeling it doesn't move, but when you want to do more in less of it, it just goes by like the wind. Our tour so far has had lots of ups and downs but we constantly are trying to improve it. There are days we all feel like killing each other and days that we enjoy one another's company to the extant of sleeping together on the same motel bed. Honestly, our vision of trip before we set out, retroactively speaking, was very different than reality as it is now. The thought of riding into the sunset with no worries is very unrealistic due to many factors which we hadn't (or didn't want to) account for. Motorcycle maintenance and experience is one the factors which causes this tour to be more difficult, but in the other hand is fundamental to our personal voyage. Time plays an important factor due to the fact that it puts constant pressure on all of us, but slowly we learn to deal with it.
We spent most of the day in Lubbock in a local motorcycle shop fixing a mechanical issue with Dovid's bike. The mechanic, a Mormon, told us about his military service and his various tours in the middle east, so we definitely had a common topic to converse about. Later on in the conversation we found out that all three of us made a big mistake while changing our engine oil. We bought from the local Walmart in Dallas 10w 40 synthetic car engine oil. We hadn't noticed the fact that is wasn't made for motorcycles so we went on with our doings. The mechanic explained to us (,and other repair shops on the way too,) that the car engine oil is bad for the motorcycle because it can cause the clutch plats to slip. So far we haven't noticed much difference but we sure will use the correct oil next time.
The ride from Lubbock west was interesting. I say that because every 20 or so miles the scenery changes. I can be cruising on my bike while surrounded by trees and greenery and then suddenly find myself in a desert land with a few shrubs on the side of the road. The whole drive I was trying to classify New Mexico in some way but the minute I catalog it in my brain as A, the view changes abruptly and I feel defeated. More than half of the ride was hot and dry and I did feel like back at home. I feel bad sometimes that we drive through small towns and don't stop to get a feel of the place. I can't blame anyone but the feeling just sticks with me. Riding in a group (as I mentioned before) can be extremely complicated, while trying to satisfy everybody's needs. The further we get on our journey I learn more things. I learned just recently that this whole area is the heart of the Native American tribes and today we hope to see a bit more of their culture in the town of Gallup.
These past two days have been more outdoorsy, we stayed one night in a state park and the other at a KOA campsite. The main difference is the quality of camp ground. While the state park provides some water and restrooms, the KOA's provide showers, pools, and even breakfast! The price per person is around the same, so for the future we know where to stay the night.
The roads down south aren't maintained as well as the ones up north, so the ride is a bit more bumpy, but so far it has not affected us nor the bikes. We arrived by dark at the second campsite and were welcomed by the owner who kindly gave us cookies. The KOA's are privately owned and to acquire a license they have a minimal amount of amenities which are decided by the organization. We pulled in a parked and noticed a huge snake right near our campsite. It looked very terrified so the owner cautiously scared it away. We got some pictures and met some other curious campers too. We were introduced to this one traveler that came all the way from Denmark to tour North America on a KLR 650. He is a lot older than us but because we both are doing the same adventure, we had a lot to talk about.
After an appetizing meal of salad and fettuccine Alfredo, we went into our tents and fell asleep. I got a few hours of rest when suddenly I heard some big booms. A few seconds later it began to pour. With no notice at all a flood of rain came down upon us and soaked my tent. Immediately Uri and I jumped out and in less than 30 seconds covered all our belongings. I have been sleeping without the external tarp because the view at night of the stars is just astonishing. Except for some cloths all our equipment stayed dry and now I plan on being more aware of the weather and prepare for it.
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