Day 21. Day 2 Texas. 69 miles Day 22. Day 3 Texas. Rest day

Easterly winds for 69 miles. Fort Hancock to Van Horn. Taking the advice of Tyler, an El Paso cyclist, we rode the interstate I-10 all day. It started out very pleasant with a very smooth shoulder, albeit noisy, for 20 miles. Then we smartened up and used ear plugs. That made the interstate noise less interfering with your personal thoughts. It never really warmed up all day. The usual headband, wind jacket, arm sleeves, leg sleeves all day.

We had to climb over some mountain passes. Not very difficult except for the wind. Pulled off the freeway for water in Sierra Blanca, ate lunch outside on the curb. With restaurant restrictions we will be eating curbside for awhile. But, often lunch is on the side of the road anyway. Back on the freeway to Van Horn. One more easy climb then downhill to town. Thank god, my energy usually fades after 3pm and the pleasure of the freeway simplicity was “over”! It is pretty safe to ride along but not nearly as pleasant as rolling along side roads.

Taking a “break” along the interstate
The “break”
Looking back over the Mtns we just climbed through

Central time zone! We lost an hour so it was 5:30 when we pulled into Good Sams campground (old KOA). Good thing is that it was daylight until 8 pm, so we had a little time to set up camp, shower and eat before dark.

So happy to see it was 10 miles to camp but seriously Dallas 510! Yes Texas is huge!!
Van Horn, Texas. Note “V” on the hill
Tent camping. Our cycling friends from Tacoma are camping here too!
Texas western

Sunday, March 22 is a dayoff after 8 straights days of riding. Globe AZ to Van Horn TX. 478 miles. We found a great hotel to spend the day. It’s the Hotel El Capitan. Gorgeous combination of Old Mexico and historic Texas. Beautiful inside and out! Just what the day off ordered. We will “eat-out” in the plaza.

Really the only reason to visit this town
The view from the railway
Front courtyard. Once you see this you WANT to stay here
Enjoying lunch on rest day

I know that many of you are concerned about our welfare with Covid19. We have been discussing this for days. We are well aware that it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better and the future is uncertain. We are 5 days to Del Rio which is the closest place to rent a van of truck to get us home. In the words of the late Kenny Rogers…”you got to know when to hold ‘em, you got know when to fold ‘em”. It’s getting really close😱

9 thoughts on “Day 21. Day 2 Texas. 69 miles Day 22. Day 3 Texas. Rest day

  1. Glad you have a rest day, looks like a very nice resting place. Just keep playing your cards right and maybe you guys will land a,Royal Flush, I know these are hard to draw but your given it your all. What en experience. Prayers to you guys for everything. Virtual hugs 🤗

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  2. well we will enjoy each entry until you fold and walk away-no wait ride away in a rented truck. El Capitan looks like a fine oasis-more like a Hollywood set,so perfect with that courtyard and fake props!!! It looks like a scene from a movie Zoro!! Keep up your spirits and ride on until you are forced to re-enter the quarantine world.Peggy

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  3. It would be such a pity to stop. What a tough decision. Throw it out to the universe and your answer will come!

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  4. my vote is to press on. (not that my vote means anything…..its offered as encouragement to continue) Nothing at home but 4 walls, you guys have less contact with people on the road, in a way life is simpler ‘out there’ as long as you take precautions, wear gloves wash them and use lots of sanitizer and wash hands ad nauseum. That being said, RLM skiied pretty well this weekend, blue bird a lil fresh snow and a very slow skin to the top

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  5. Whatever decision you arrive at will be the correct one. Texas is a really large state! The hotel you featured is just swell, straight out of the movies. Peg was right, who knows maybe it was in the movies. I know the three of you are taking all precautions against the Coronavirus, but, who knows if the people you do into contact with are being as careful. The rented truck sounds like a good safe option. Whatever you decide, I have enjoyed the journey immensely.

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  6. I am with Greg. You seem much more isolated where you are??? But I also know when things are stressful, there is no place like home. Praying for wisdom and discernment and of course your health.

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