Day 20. Day 1 Texas. Miles and miles….

How many days will it take to get across the largest state in the USA? We shall see. If today is any indication it will take almost a month. Today’s ride from El Paso to Fort Hancock was 46 miles, really flat. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden 43 miles that are this flat. I can say that eastern Montana (my hometown area) is not even close to flat, although people say it is. Today’s I challenge came from an east wind of 10-20mph so a headwind all the way. It was hard today.

Plenty of farmland…started with pecan groves then became farmland of a crop I’m uncertain. Maybe sugar beets? Saw my first grain silos. We followed the Mexican border all day. At times there was a wall, not solid, big and beautiful though🤣.

Our route today had a shoulder covered with dried mud, in some places remnant water from the recent rainy day. Then we had a nice stretch with a big shoulder but just when you think you’re liking the surface, you change county lines and see the shoulder go from good to terrible. Today we had our first dirt/gravel shoulder with a highway that had the roughest chip seal surface! Cars and pickups gave us plenty of room since we were riding on the highway.

Tonight we will stay in a motel. Fort Hancock is a very small town next to I-10. There’s not much here, except a Family Dollar, Motel, Shell gas station, and Angie’s restaurant. Angie’s served us their last sit down meal tonight. We will get takeout breakfast in the morning. They sent us back with phone number and menu for the morning. Family Dollar’s are prolific….have ya’ll noticed this? We need some snacks, so I will check it out today. Curt has never been to a dollar store. He’s been missing out. As for the motel, it is all we have for a choice and there’s no camping place in the area. Again, it’s better than Elkhorn Hot Springs cabins but it’s a throw back in time. We are all okay with this. Our standards are not super high. I think we’re the only guests they have or maybe will have for days/weeks. Happy they are open😊

First flat!!! Just noticed at this motel. I know I can fix my own flat but it’s really helpful to have Jims help. This one was discovered at the motel….handy😊