| Page 9 Day 39 - Thurs. 2-21-02 Miles today 34.1 - Climbed today 1,090' Where's the Morels Myron and I slept well last night. According to the border patrol, we slept too well. We set up camp right on an active drug route. The border patrol asked us if we had walked across the street from where we had slept, we said no. Well then we had visitors last night. We don’t know if they where drug runners or if they were just illegals crossing over. We were having breakfast when George rode in. George is an old hand at touring. He is on the last leg of his journey following adventure cycling route around the country. He has been on the road for a year and 12,000 miles. George owns a bicycle shop in Huston. We had decided to stop in Del Rio and shower at an RV park. On the way on the road we crossed paths with Dan. Dan is on his way to California to find Morals. I had no Idea what he was talking about. Dan explained that he really likes mushrooms, for cooking with. Morals are a mushroom. Dan is a real nice guy who as far as I can figure just wanders from here to there and works when he needs to. Myron and I stopped into the Lonesome Dove RV park. Phyllis, the manager was very helpful as well as funny. We quickly decide to stay the night. It turned out to be a good decision. We did showers and laundry. We also went for a nice Mexican meal. Day 40 - Friday 2-22-02 Mileage today 11.0 - Climbed today 40' HAPPY BIRTHDAY VERN We decided this morning to rest today {layover day). We would go to the bike shop. We were invited to Vern's birthday party at the Del Tex RV repair center. We were also invited to a potluck dinner at the RV Park later this evening. At the bike shop John was very helpful. While John worked on the bikes Myron played with Turd. I have spent a lot of time cycling with Myron in the past few years but I never knew he was so fond of Turd. I imagine it is a little unsettling when someone walks in and sees an old man in the middle of the room on his knees saying, “come here Turd, oh you are soo cute and you smell so good” not knowing that Turd is johns dog. After we got our bikes worked on, we went to Vern's Party. We went to the RV parts and repair center and walked in and said were here to wish Vern Happy Birthday. Barbara said come on in would you like some cake and punch. Vern is over there. Vern is always happy to meet new friends. In fact Vern was so happy to meet Myron he wet himself. But that didn’t faze him in the least he just kept wagging his tail and greeting us. I guess it was a dog day afternoon. Myron will soon celebrate his 70th birthday. March 14, 2002. I hope he has more control than Vern. Barbara is a special person I get the impression the she makes everybody feel like family. She was so intrigued with our trip she was telling everybody about it. Barbara gave Myron and I all the cake and punch we could handle. She also gave us some snacks for the road and some real nice insect repellent to ware on our wrists and ankles. She did everything to make sure we were going to be ok. Thank you Barbara, you are the reason we are doing this trip, to meet all the good people like you of our great nation. It was time to leave the party towns people were still filtering in and out. We had a potluck to get to. We went to the BUNKHOUSE were all the festivities were in progress. There were about 25 people who attended. It is great to meet so many nice people. All are snowbirds from different parts of the country. And all have different backgrounds and stories. We enjoy them all. It is 10:00pm and the party is going strong. We were invited to have breakfast in the morning. Myron and I really found a real jewel in Del Rio. Day 41 – Sat 2-23-02 Mileage today 47.3 - Climbed today 2,480' Thanks to all our FRIENDS in Del Rio We were invited to breakfast at the Lonesome Dove RV Park. There were about 25 in attendance. It was a great way to say goodbye to all our new friends. We had an uneventful ride out of town. I had another flat (#4) just before we stopped for the night. Myron is constantly reminding me that he has Tuffy’s and Goo in his tires along with thorn resistant tubes. There must be something to it, he hasn’t had a flat yet. We camped right on the border. Day 42 - Sunday 2-24-02 Mileage today 53.6 - Climbed today 1,870' COYOTE TACATE On our way out of Eagle Pass we met up with a bike club the COYOTE TACATE bike club they had about 25 members on today’s ride. All members seem to be active. The club is sponsored by Tecate beer. They even have a support van and club jerseys with the Beer logo. All members got a nice medallion for finishing today’s ride. It looked like an Olympic medal. I was given one even though I didn’t participate in today’s ride. I had ridden the 40 miles already, so I was given one. Thank you guys. Dave a member rode with Myron and I for a while. As it turns out Dave is from Sunnyvale, Ca. not far from where I live. We finally got a hold of Chris. We have not been able to use the cell phone for almost two weeks now. Chris has been ill and is on his way back home to recover. He plans to continue his trip in a couple of weeks. We wish you a speedy recovery Chris. It was good to talk with you. Once again, the Border Patrol to the rescue. I was out of water and we weren’t going to make Carrizo Springs when all of a sudden we saw a Border Patrol checkpoint. We have had only great times with the Patrol. While we were there they had to leave they got a call on the radio, an officer had found 35 to 40 illegals. The sun was quickly fading and we couldn’t find a suitable place to make camp. We saw a ranch house and thought lets ask if we can camp near their gate. We were met at the front by KC Coleman and his sister Megan. KC is in high school and Megan in jr. high. They were super to us. They came out just as we were beginning to set camp and suggested that we sleep in the tool shed. It turned out to be very comfortable. We had shelter and light for as long as we wanted. Thank you Coleman Family. We have a winner to our word puzzle. John Steel of Key West had the correct answer, Bookkeeping. The puzzle was what single word in the English language has three double consecutive letters in it. John came back with a puzzle for us: What English word is made up of two letters, each used three times? Myron and I are reminded daily how wonderful Texans are. Texans are the honkiest people we have met. We have Texans pass and honk and wave all day long. It is super to be so well received. We love to wave to everybody and try to all the time but there are times when it just isn’t safe to take your hands off the handlebars, so please know that we aren’t being rude just safe. |
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