76.4 miles to Van Horn

Spent lovely warm night in tent, camping in church grounds, in Fort Hancock, with the use of their hall facilities. We left a  thank you card with donation. Left on my own and immediately was chased by a big black dog. I shouted at it but it kept coming, got the 'Halt' spray out but didn't use it. The dog wasn't really threatening and gave up after a while. I will only use the spray if I feel really in danger. Caught up with Robert C and after 40 miles stopped at Sierra Blanca'. This seemed like a ghost town with no-one about but we cyclists, we eventually found a cafe and enjoyed a 'pancake stack'.After this I seemed to get a second wind and romped off on my own. It was a good tail wind and I was flying. Came to a hill and I overtook Todd, Merv, Sean,Robert, and Dee. I am strong on the hills but they get their own back on the downhill, being heavier they soon catch me up. At the Hudspeth/Culberson county line we moved our watches forward 1 hour, so getting closer day by day. Passed through another large border patrol today, this is because we are still near the Mexican border. I must have looked a shifty character as I had to show my passport and answer questions. Stopped in Van Horn for a Classic Vanilla Ice Cream. Best quote from Todd today 'this highway is as quiet as the O J Simpson car chase'. Not much to report on Texas so far, biggest state in the south, 1000 miles across, flat with scrubland in all directions. I love the names of places we pass through, Esperanzo, Sierra Blanco, Van Horn. I am enjoying being with this group although we are all strangers, we have a great laugh and look out for and support each other along the way.   Tomorrow is our longest day of the trip with over 90 miles and about 3000 ft of climbing. Weather still about 30 deg. but still loving it....

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