Day 34 - Sat. 2-16-02
Mileage today 32.4 - Climbed today 760'
What is it we eat?
We slept great last night. We got up and went to breakfast, packed, did laundry, etc. We rolled out of town after eating at Papa's next to the truck stop off of I-10 in Van Horn. If you miss Papa's for some reason don’t bother turning around to go back. We got on the road about 1:00 pm, it was a great day to ride. The hours and miles flew by. Before we knew it, it is time to start looking for some place to sleep. We could not find a gate to an empty pasture. We finally found a place so, we stopped at the house to ask permission but no one was home. We found a place across the street and thought, ok well there is no sign to say no trespassing so we opened the gate and went in. We no sooner got our tents set up when a large red truck stops. I walked up and said hello, are you the owner. Nope I'm the caretaker of this here land and I'm the sheriff. I said nice to meet you I'm Jim, What’s yours? I told him what we were doing and asked if it was all right to camp here. He said, you should have asked permission first. I said we tried, but nobody was at home. Tom said, " Well I guess it’s alright. I asked Tom if he knew if there was a cafe in the next town. He said "nope I spoze yahal havta eat that granola, or what ever that stuff is yahal eat.” I kindly thanked Tom and he was off.
Day 35 - Sunday 2-17-02
Mileage today 33.2 - Climbed today 1,370'
UNEVENTFUL
The highlight today was meeting Dave and Jon. I'm sure that is not how to spell Jon's name, he is French Canadian. Jon is in the states cycling. he was told about a town named Quebec, TX. It doesn’t exist anymore but there is still an old railway switching station with Quebec still on it. Happy Travels Jon! Myron and I were eating breakfast on the side of the road when Dave at least that is what I think his name is. Dave stopped to see if we were ok. He was down here from northern New Mexico for some bike races and he had a lot of tools if we needed. Thank you Dave. If you read this and your name isn’t Dave write and let me know so I cam correct it. Myron and I can’t understand this whole wind thing. For a month we rode east and the wind came from the east. Most local people we talked to say that it is unusual and that the wind usually comes from the SW. We Myron and I are now cycling south and once again we have strong headwinds. What’s up?
Day 36 – Mon 2-18-02
Mileage today 54.0 - Climbed today 1,970
ONE MORE PLEASE
Happy Presidents Day!
On our way riding into Marfa, TX we met our first cyclist. His name is Bill. Bill is also riding the perimeter. He is riding clockwise and will be home sometime in April. Home is in Oakland, Ca. Not far from where I live. We told Bill to contact Richard De Bernardis in Tucson when he gets there. Richard keeps track of all the cyclists riding the perimeter. Richard can be contacted at: www.pbaa.com After meeting Bill we continued on to Marfa. Marfa is a nice town, it needs a better cafe though. We stopped in for breakfast where Myron ordered a Spanish omelet. That wasn’t enough so he had a short stack. After breakfast we road two blocks to a Dairy Queen. Myron ordered a 22oz chocolate malt. By the time the counter person had made and delivered mine, three minutes later. Myron finished his and he looked at me and said that was good. Then he looked at the girl and said "ONE MORE PLEASE ". But, this time I'd like a large one. A large is the size of a big gulp, 32oz. She looked at me with a puzzled look; I said he does it all the time. Nothing makes me happier. I have been telling Myron all along, "stick with me, and I'll have you out of shape in no time". After spending 4 hours in Marfa, we continued the 26 miles to Alpine. WOW, what a beautiful ride. It was the most scenic we've seen in Texas as of yet. In Alpine Myron stopped for yet a third malt. Man, I'm envious. I cant do that, yet Myron can do that, daily and not gain weight. We camped about 12 miles east of Alpine on highway 90. It was nice to spend 4 hours in a town and still be able to ride 54 miles.
Day 37 - Tue. 2-19-02
Mileage today 100.1 - Climbed today 1,810'
WHOA 100
We have had two wonderful days of tailwinds. The same winds that slow us to a crawl, when turned to our backs will push us up a hill at 19mph. They will also help us hold a steady 22 to 27 on the flats. We had some great riding today thru what I like to call: cowboy and Indian territory. My friend Deven would have really liked today’s ride. I could just picture Cochise amid his band of warriors looking down from their vantage point high on a bluff on a Texas Ranger who was tracking an outlaw. This land hasn’t changed in years, it is simply breathtaking. I got news from home today. I love to hear from my family. My nieces Stephany and Lindsay just started CYO basketball season again. Stephany is in her 4th season and Lindsay in her 3rd. GO GIRLS!!! I will miss going to their games. It is about 9:00 pm. We are not far from the border right now where we are camped for the night. While writing you this entry, we were visited by the United States Border Patrol. They snuck up on us in equipped with night vision goggles, body armor, etc. Just checking on who was here. Good Job Guys, Thank you for checking on us and making sure were safe.
Day 38 – Wed 2-20-02
Mileage today 58.6 - Climbed today 3,170'
We climbed 3,100 feet to go down 400 foot in altitude. It was a rollercoaster day. Up, down, up, down all day. And it was thoroughly enjoyable. We saw the Rio Grand again today. It is what separates USA from Mexico. We also saw where the Rio Grand and the Pecos rivers come together. The many canyons we saw today were magnificent. We didn’t ride as hard today; it was a kickback day of rollercoaster’s. The weather has warmed up considerably. Right now conditions are ideal. However, we know that much warmer even hot weather is not far off. We will be in Del Rio tomorrow afternoon where we are anxious for a shower and clean clothes. There is an RV park just before we enter town that is where we will clean up. I do daily clean up with rubbing alcohol, but it not the same as a hot shower. I sweat so much during the day I get salt crystals forming on my legs and matting up in the hair of my legs. Gross isn’t it but I work so hard that I cant help it. That is why it is so important for daily hygiene. Anyway, I'm looking forward to a shower.
