Thursday, 5 April 2012
Pleasant 56.7 miles to Marathon, Texas.
I was loath to get out of my motel bed this morning, warm and cosy, but eventually dragged myself out at 7.00am and was on the road by 7.45am. It was absolutely freezing and I had just my fingerless gloves on, but the sun was up and I knew in another hour I would be warm enough. I am used to enduring the cold, but some of the other cyclists were really suffering. Anyway, before long we were peeling off, about 30 deg. and the day developed into a lovely cycle. We had a slight tailwind to Alpine which is a University town with an air of prosperity about it. Apparently, there is a decline in ranching but is popular with retiree's hence the few private aeroplanes at the small airport. I had a look round the 'Big Bend Museum' so called for the bend in the Rio Grande. Like all museums, I could have spent a day there reading about the early pioneers and settlement of the area. This was the time of the great cattle drives of 'long steers'. An interesting fact was that the cowboys who drove them were predominently black. Stopped for lunch and had the usual 'pancake stack' with hot tea, a rare treat. Back on the road for the last 30 miles and a cross wind had blown up. Still, not too bad and made Marathon in good time. I am always sluggish in morning but raring to go in the afternoon. This is not the best campsite, tonight, as it is full of a plant called 'goatheads'. These are spiky little blighters that play havoc with your tyres. Must check tyres in the morning. Also, we are right next to a railway line and goods trains keep rattling past with that 'plaintiff whistle roar'. Think 'High Noon'. Also, there is a big windmill, I think for water, that keeps clanking round. Also, it has been blowing so hard that dust and grit have got into everything - clothes, tent, sleeping bag etc. Also, there are scorpions about and we have been warned to check shoes and bike shorts in the morning. Aaahhh....all this and more so can you believe I'm still loving it.....
A Unique House in Marathon, Texas.
Dee and I were cycling through Marathon, when a lady who owned the above house invited us in for a look round. She and her husband run it as a B and B. The walls are made with shredded paper and mixed with concrete. I even saw cans sticking out a wall under construction. The walls are painted vibrant purples, reds, orange, etc. She has water garden courtyards linking the rooms. The effect is absolutely stunning. A tranquil oasis, in a desert scrubland, as you can see from where my tent is pitched tonight???
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