Day 5 - The Finish!!

We were on the road by 8am, refreshed and ready for the challenge of 60 miles of the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway SR 191.

Nogales, AZ

This is the only road that had its name changed by the Bible.  Formerly known as US 666 and nicknamed "The Devil's Highway", the route was renamed to US 191 in 1992.   Our challenge for today is 332 mi, 2 check points, and surviving the sheer slopes with narrow shoulders and no guardrails, 400 twisting curves and switchbacks, and ending at the Morenci coppermine in the Sonoran desert. This road is noted as the least traveled road in the continent.

We made it!!

The views along 191 were spectacular but really couldn't take our eyes off the road for very long, lots of switchbacks, turns, gravel and uneven road. Nothing slows you down like seeing a motorcycle accident and unfortunately we came upon 3 of them, all 3 Flaggers. The one that made our heart drop was coming upon the Gold Wing of Betty's (yesterday blog) on it side, up an embankment and her laying on a stretcher awaiting the helicopter. Thankfully we now know her injuries were only severe facial cuts because she hit the windshield wearing a half helmet. Full face helmet would have left her unscathed. After two hours of careens up and down the "The Devil's Highway" we made it to Clifton, got gas gathered our wits and then headed to Nogales, AZ.   On the way we experienced a favorite (haha) insect migration, highway polka dot stained with grasshoppers that didn't quite make it across, the stench was gross, we thanked our lucky stars the migration was a week ago and not today. There were still a few making the crossing. We then enjoyed more of Arizona's spectacular changing weather; lightning, thunder showers and then sunshine.  In Nogales we bought gas and ensured we got our original printed receipt to prove we made to Nogales.  One more stop at the border check, answering the question "Are you a US Citizen"?  (they had a dog sniffing all vehicles for drugs) We pulled into our final checkpoint the DoubleTree Reid Park at 6pm to see many other bikes, it was very exciting. We received a packet of goodies, including a set of 3 EBags, Tshirt, cap, belt buckle, plaque, stickers, patch & pin, dinner & breakfast coupons, it was a rush. Maggy & Linda now feel like a part of the 3 Flag Family with a huge sense of accomplishment for having completed this event and plan to do more. Also very exciting for Sue & D2 to have completed their 5th 3 Flags Rally. High Fives All Around!