It’s hard to believe, but I started riding southward from Casablanca four weeks ago this coming Monday. After getting caught in a sandstorm outside Tazenakht last week, I have worked my way out of the mountains, down slowly to the Atlantic coast–arriving in Tiznit late last night. Since my tent was damaged in the storm I’ve been staying in cheap hotels, riding hard towards my final pre-Saharan traversal destination, Mirleft—the next town beyond Tiznit.

Regarding the tent, I got lucky: MSR is sending replacements for the broken poles (a big thanks to Drew at MSR Gear!) and the damage to the tent walls was easily and beautifully repaired by a local tailor in Taliouine. For a whopping $2USD.

As it turns out, I’m going to have an unexpected visit from an American friend late this week—both a pleasant surprise and an excuse to spend a couple of days exploring Marrakesh and environs. It’s also a reason not to ride the final 42km to Mirleft merely to stow my gear for a few days. I’ll stay in Tiznit instead, rest, then hitchhike back into the heart of Morocco for some off-the-bike adventuring and, hopefully, some shenanigans. Always love them thar shenanigans!

*****

For now, though, here are a few images from the past several days, such as they are, though I’ve not been preoccupied with photography at all. Hopefully they still help tell The Story.

As-Salaam Alaikum,
—jim