These pics follow where Milton's left off. I think all these pics were taken over a very short distance, maybe 5 miles. Just don't let the beauty of the landscape fool you. Remember the journey of Frodo Baggins (and we all know how THAT turned out!).
Then, I came across this man, and stopped to talk. He gave me a very ominous warning:
The old man pointed at me carefully with his is sunburnt index finger and advised me that the road ahead was washed out, and there was a ravine that would lead to certain death. He said, “I don’t think even Evel Knevel or Travis Pastrana would dare to attempt to cross that road”. He squinted his eyes and shook his head and looked at me, “Muy malo”. I was surprised that he knew who Evel Knevel or Travis Pastrana was. “Hoy hay Sies Gringos. Manana, solo uno!” Well, I did not know what he meant, but I knew there was Danger ahead!
Like the ever-present, prescient, under-appreciated warning label on a duraflame long, “Warning: Risk of fire”, there was obvious near certain death ahead. I had to act. Fast. And quickly!
Little did any of us know of the danger that lay ahead! Had we known, we surely would have turned around and not risked likely injury and/ or death!
Now I cursed myself for stopping for all my above photograhs - I was the last in line and far behind the Cinco Amigos! I had to get ahead of them and tell them to STOP, and not face possible injury, death, and also possible very bad scratches to their gas tanks!
It suddenly occurred to me: the fate of the Cinco Amigos lay in my hands! What should I DO? A thousand things raced through my mind! If they didn't make it, would I have to pay for their hotel bill? I kept going over and over in my mind what I should do. I was repeating all kinds of stuff in my head. Just like these sentences above, it really got annoying. It was Jay va due. Again!
Finally, I reached a critical decision! “I’m gonna get some really good pics for the ride report!”.
So I quickly dropped my kickstand, took off my gloves, glasses, helmet, jacket, shirt (right. Put my shirt back on) and grabbed a new battery for my camera. I knew I would have a difficult challenge ahead. So I pulled out some trail mix and ate about half bag. I ate fast, but it took me almost 10 minutes.
If any bikes had plunged in the ravine, I knew I’d also need some quick sugar energy! So, I grabbed some candy and stuffed a handful in my mouth! But all I had was gummy bears! This was not a good choice as it took me almost 10 minutes to chew and swallow them (I made a mental note to NOT eat gummy bears when you need to ride like the wind to save the life of your amigos).
Finally, I geared back up and fired up my trusty KLR and raced in hopes I’d catch the Cinco Amigos. All kinds of crazy things raced through my head! I suddenly knew exactly how Frodo Baggins felt (except the hairy feet part).
Would I catch them in time?
Would any still be alive?
Is it too late to add Full Coverage to their bike insurance!?
Would I miss all the good pics?
Stay tuned....