Relaxing 56.2 miles to Sanderson, Texas

We all decided on a late breakfast today after the cold start of yesterday. So up at 7.00am had my usual cereal and orange juice and left at 8.30am. I had a reasonable nights sleep, although sometimes I thought the train was in the tent with me, but no sign of any scorpions. I examined my tyres for 'goatheads' and off I went. The sun was up and it was just beautiful, cycling on my own through the state of Texas. Fences bordered the road and uncultivated ranch land stretched away, to the flat topped mountains, in the distance. 3 small deer crossed the road and easily leapt the fence and a large bird with a long tail flew out from the scrubland. By this time it was about 30 deg. with a headwind, so Sean was waiting up ahead with drinks and snacks. Great. Did I mention pesky 'goatheads' last night - well with about 15 miles to go Robert M caught me up and said 'Janice, I think your front tyre is flat'. It was grrr...but the funny thing was, he discovered his front tyre was flat too....so we set to. I changed the tube but couldn't find the culprit, neither could Robert M. When we arrived in Sanderson I noticed my tyre was flat again..grrr...but this time I had my old tube to help locate the source. Yes, you've guessed it, a goathead, the size of a pin head buried deep in a groove. Now all well, I hope, but my tally is rising in the flat stakes. We are staying at 'the Budget Motel' as the campsites are all full. Nice soft bed. Alan and Dee cooked tonight - mashed potatoes, peas, sausage and apple stew. Mmm.... It has to be a long, hot day tomorrow with headwind so we plan an early start. Night, night....still loving it....

Photos from the Road to Sanderson, Texas.

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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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Flowering Cacti

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Loved these Cowboy Boots in Alpine, Texas

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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....