After many more hours on the road, we finally reached Albuquerque. And though we were weary, our fatigue vanished in a rush of excitement as soon as we turned into the parking lot at St. Francis Xavier Church, where dozens of people from Albuquerque -- many of them doing their own documenting of our arrival! -- had gathered to receive the Tour riders.

The reception was organized by a coalition of organizations in the area, including the Southwest Organizing Project, MEChA, USAS, the SAGE Council and Revisioning New Mexico.

The warmth and sincerity was just what we needed to fill our spirits with renewed energy for the long march awaiting us in LA.

Carrying the images of the Virgin of Guadalupe presented to us by our own Bishop John Nevins of the Diocese of Venice and by our friends in Oklahoma City Tour riders poured from the buses...

... and headed in a spirited procession toward the church for a night of home-cooked food...

... home-made music, and...

... an indigenous healing ceremony to give the riders strength as we re-boarded our buses and headed west toward our march on Taco Bell's headquarters in Irvine, CA.

But not before one last photo with our new friends in Albuquerque. Here, Steven Rodriguez of the CIW (in white jacket) gets together with members of the Southwest Organizing Project's youth committee who did an incredible job in bringing together a reception that will be remembered by CIW members for years to come.

Next stop - Los Angeles!!