Roaming Cage Free

 Day 7 – Socorro (NM) to Big Bend National Park (TX)

(600 mi)

August 3rd, 2024

Another desert morning. Leaving at the crack of dawn, I relish the solitude of the open road. The morning hours are cool at 80°F (26°C), and I find myself backtracking on a road I had traveled 10 years ago. Today’s journey will take me through the Alamogordo Desert, White Sands National Park, and then into Texas, heading south towards Big Bend National Park.

The vast emptiness of the desert surrounds me, a stark reminder of the loneliness that comes with motorcycle riding. Yet, there’s a certain peace in this solitude, a chance to connect with the road and the landscape in a way that few experiences can offer.

So much history in this area. The first test of an atomic bomb (Trinity), rockets and missiles tested here. Some sites are accessible, while others can only be glimpsed from a distance, like the Trinity site itself. Riding through these historic lands, I feel a deep connection to the past, as if the echoes of history are whispering in the wind.

The sunrise at Malpais – Valley of Fires Park is breathtaking, casting a golden glow over the rugged landscape.

I stop for a quick breakfast at McGinn’s Pistachio Land, only to find it closed. No matter, I snap a photo and push on.

White Sands National Park is a brief detour, but worth every moment. 

The paved road gives way to compacted white sand, and I can’t help but smile as I navigate the dunes. It’s a fun ride, even if my bike isn’t quite suited for the terrain.

A billboard on HWY-70 catches my eye, advertising a Rocket and Missile Museum. Intrigued, I decide to take a peek. The White Sands Missile Range Museum is within the base, and after an involved security check, I’m in. 

The displays are fascinating, bringing back memories of my training days in the late ’80s.

The ride through Las Cruces is less enjoyable, and I opt for the Interstate to get through it quickly. Crossing into Texas, I find myself stuck in a traffic jam in 110°F heat. Not ideal, but part of the adventure. A stop at Starbucks for a boost and some ice water helps me cool down. After what feels like “forever” on the Interstate, I finally get the chance to turn South

In Alpine, I stock up on supplies and gas, unsure of what awaits in Big Bend. The sun sets as I make my way to Terlingua, where I find a gas station open. A small relief in the vast emptiness.

Continuing south towards Big Bend, the landscape becomes even more desolate.