Lovely Restful Day in Fort Davis.

I had a lovely long lie and was the last to appear for breakfast at 9.00am. Sean had made french toast and bacon in this well equiped motel kitchen. I then had a wander round Fort Davis. It is a sleepy Texan town with wide streets and quirky shops, Uncle Bucks Liquor Store, Broom and Walking Stick Shop. It is named after the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis who encouraged the building of frontier forts to open West Texas to setttlers. Many of his staff were Texans. He was imprisoned during the civil war and once told wartime troops from other states ' you have reputations to gain but sons of the Alamo have theirs to maintain'. In the afternoon we returned, in the van, to the McDonald Observatory. This site sits at 6809 ft and was chosen as this region is very dark, not polluted by dust nor brightened with city lights. I can vouch for that as I stagger to the toilet in the middle of the night. Interesting tour but too much technical data. A lovely, restful day off and now ready for tomorrow. Looks windy though....absolutely loving it....

Photos of Fort Davis and McDonald Observatory.

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I Fought the Corn, and the Corn Won.

Ok. It hasn't been all sweetness and light. On day 2 I developed an open blister on my left bum. 'Oh no' I thought I'm going to have this 3200 miles to Florida but not so. Dr Dave, our fearless leader, produced the most perfect blister pad and with careful cotton wool padding it gradually healed over the next two weeks. Got that out the way then the most painful corn appeared in my little toe. After 50 miles, in this heat of 30 deg ( just saying ) my feet swell and this little blighter gives me jip. I tried everything in Dr. Dave's medical book to no avail. With the 90 miler coming up drastic action was called for so I borrowed a scalpel and cut a 'cat flap' in my shoe over the toe area. (See photo ) Sheer bliss, I was jet propelled. Dan said, he is never coming near me when I have a blade in my hand, I was vicious. A few other minor cyclist aches, like sore hands and back but that is to be expected. All well....still loving it.

Photos from Long Day to Fort Davis. 90.3 miles

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Tough, Exhausting, 90.3 miles to Fort Davis.

Ok. Today it wasn't the hills, although we climbed 3000 ft. It wasn't the distance although we cycled 90.3 miles. It was the strong, gusty, swirling wind that caused difficulty. Anyway, back to the beginning - rose too early and was ready to go, bags and tent etc all packed before sunrise. Think it was the hour change from yesterday that confused me. Left with Robert M just as sun came over the Texan horizon. Wondrous sight - see photos. Had a great tailwind for the first 38 miles and was flying along the 'service road' next to Interstate 10. This service road is a mystery, as it is well maintained and the size of A roads in the UK, with a metre wide hard shoulder each side but no-one is allowed to use it. Great for cyclists. We turned sharp right at the village of Kent and that is when everything changed - strong head wind and starting to climb. Took me about the same time to cover 10 miles as it did the previous 38. Sean, leader, was waiting at the top of a hill with drinks, watermelon, crisps, choc bars, more fruit etc. I got a great cheer when I rolled in. Still more climbing and with the wind blowing you off course very demanding. It is a strain holding the bike at an angle against the wind. After about 76 miles it seemed to level out and the McDonald Observatory came into view. I would have loved to look round but just didn't have the energy. Had a lovely downhill run with a few ups to Fort Davis. At 88 miles I seemed to get very sleepy and had to force myself to stay alert. It had been a long day day 8.26 hours in the saddle. Some of the men were in before me and the rest trickled in after. We all agreed it had been a hard day. Lisa elected not to ride  and Dave pulled Robert C off the ride at the drinks station. He thought he would not cope with the hills. Robert C is not a happy camper. Staying at the Stone Village Camper Motel, sharing a room with Liza, washing all done. Bliss, rest day tomorrow. Quote of the day from Todd, when talking about the receptionist at the Observatory, whom he thought was not the full shilling, 'she has a photographic memory but the film is missing'. Had a look round Fort Davis tonight, named after Jefferson Davis, and found it an interesting and quirky Texan town. More tomorrow after a rest in a lovely bed....Still loving it...

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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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Lovely Tail Wind to Fort Hancock

We didn't have a good night in the El Paso hostel, shared with Lisa. Room was unclean, noisy music and talking outside but a palace compared to India. Left this morning with Dee, Merv and Todd and Dee set a cracking pace of 19 mph. Stopped at McDonalds for a second breakfast. Lovely. Traffic was fairly light. El Paso is an unremarkable town with a big history. 'The Pass of the North' sits where the westernmost tip of Texas meets Mexico and New Mexico. The california gold rush of '49 brought a surge of westbound traffic to El Paso. In 1873 the population consisted of only 23 Anglo-Americans and 150 Mexicans. The Rio Grande, on which EP sits has changed course numerous times causing boundary disputes between USA and Mexico. It is described as 'a stream, a mile wide and a foot deep'. With its closeness to Mexico, El Paso has an air of lawlessness about it. The ride today was quite uneventful, 54 miles of flat farmland but we had a lovely tailwind. Avg was 15.4 miles and I covered the distance in 3.30 hours. I was chased by 3 dogs but rather half-heartedly, as it was in the heat of the day.I shouted 'home' a couple of times in my best Scottish Accent. I could feel pins and needles in my legs with fright. We are camping in a school ground at Fort Hancock looking over at the boundary fence with Mexico. Hope we have a quiet night, the local Sheriff has already called round to check us out. No signal at moment.  Still loving the life.....