The maps we've been carrying don't include the Continental Divide.

Jon first assumed that we'd be crossing the divide at La Veta Pass, since this was where we were "crossing the Rockies." We got all psyched up for the big day. But you know what they say about assuming.

Next, he thought we would hit it between Abiquiu and Tierra Amarilla--partly because our maps showed the Continental Divide Trail running along a ridge between those towns (and partly because a local said the divide was "up there somewhere"). We climbed and climbed to get up the ridge, and took pictures at the top. But when we got to Tierra Amarilla, the former head of the Chamber of Commerce told us that their water still drained into the Atlantic. HOWEVER, he said, the divide was very close! Then he asked if we wanted to buy a gas station.

Finally, in Chama, the folks at the visitor information center told us that we would cross the divide a few miles west of town but that it was little more than a mound. It was good they warned us or we would have missed the sign. After all those times Jon said, "I think we'll be crossing the divide soon," it was a bit anticlimactic!