Day 13 Shiprock to Turley San Juan Winery.

Day 13 Shiprock to Turley San Juan Winery.

Left this morning at 614 at 63 degrees, I rode with Denita Blows from  Geneva, NY.   We were on sweep which meant we had to get up before 5 to take tents down and pack up our personal stuff in order to help set up for breakfast and  then clean up. 

We only had to do 55 miles today so it was not a long ride. I was in by 11 AM and it was 96 degrees.  We are located in a winery that is at right on the San Juan River. This is a very relaxing location. 

 

As I am writing this blog, I am sitting with Han and Chris Vlaardingerbroek. Russ Luurstsma and Barb Mellema and are conversation is covering a broad spectrum of topics including where their name came from. They name originate from a town in the Netherlands called Vlaardingen.  Broek refers to the polder in the area around the town.  

                                  Chris and Hank Vlaardingerbroek, Ross Luurstma, Barb Mellema

                                                                     Parked under Cottonwoods

                                                                  Entrance to the San Juan Winery

                                                                               Scenes along the road

 
 

                                                                                      Barb Mellema

We have had discussions concerning poverty and how best to address the issues of poverty.  We discussed business development versus handouts versus working with poorest of the poor in communities around the world. Dealing with poverty and helping people out of poverty is a very complex issue but that does not mean we do not try or continue to seek solutions to make a difference.

We also discussed the future of Sea to Sea and what the future might look like.  We mad e on decisions but generated lots of ideas and areas to do differently.  Ross seems to be interested in seeing how this might go forward. 

I got to taste a few of their wines today and have bought 10 bottles which I am shipping home along with 2 of their wine glasses.  It is a very charming area and the people are interesting.  The gentleman ran a dairy farm In Wisconsin, was raised In Durango and always wanted to come back to this area. They indicated they are growing their business so quickly that they are including their children in this business.

We feel very welcomed.  They offered to have us stay here without charge. They are gracious hosts.

We are enjoying our quite relaxing afternoon. We are preparing for tomorrow and Wednesday when we will have longer rides 89 with 5800 feet of climbing on Tuesday and 77 miles with 3500 feet of climbing. these seem to be the most challenging days this week.  Today is a good day to get us ready for the next two days.