Day 24

It was a quiet might in Langrty even though the train track was close by AND Hwy 90 is the main drag for semi traffic on the way to El Paso. I think everyone was tired enough we slept through it all.

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Here is the oasis of Langtry. 60 miles west to Sanderson, and 60 east to Del Rio.

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As the sun set in the west last night we sat out on these stone benches for several hours watching the world of train, cars and semis roll by. Very relaxing, almost mesmerizing.

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We had the AC running during the early evening hour but things cooled off enough I think someone started the  . . .

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. . . furnace. Not sure the last time it was serviced!

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Juanita was busy in the kitchen preparing breakfast burritos, so I helped out making coffee. Love the little vice grips for a faucet handle. I could use one of those for the trip!

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Breakfast burritos all around for all-day energy!!

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Look who got a new toy last night in Del Rio!!!! Less than $1,000. Selena was one happy girl. We’ll miss seeing her, she has almost become family!!!

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Her landscaping touches helping bring some color to Langtry!

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Soon we were down the road for a cloudy, misty 64 mile ride to Del Rio. The Border Patrol were already busy driving their ‘sweeps’ looking for footprints. Langtry is probably our closest point on this trip to the boarder . . .

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. . . just over the sweep, was the highway fence, followed by the bluffs of the Rio Grande followed by Mexico!

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This was a great scene that could have only been  made better by a steam locomotive going across the bridge!

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We reached the Pecos River where one lane was closed because the crews were painting the bridge . . .

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. . . no stopping on the bridge but WHAT A VIEW from the other side!! This is the most water we have seen in one place since the Pacific in San Diego!!!

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Did I mention everything in TX is BIG!! Including the winds that blew this gas station overhead down. Hope no one was filling up at the time!!

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We reached our half way point of Pecos, where Julie and Mark had stopped in for a burger. Mark had eaten a can of stew last night at their Warm Showers accommodations and was REALLY hungry!!

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This may explain some the many roadside memorials we have seen!

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Before we left, it was time for a tried and true cyclist recovery ‘pick me up’. Chocolate milk all around . . .

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. . . but watch where you sit to enjoy it!!!

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Seems like every little burg we have crossed through the last couple of days has a Border Patrol outpost and Pecos was no exception.

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. . . as we were leaving a swarm of BP agents on ATV’s came swarming into town like a batch of bees!

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On the way out was this mother and young one talking so loudly back and forth, you could hear theem from the roadway.

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Soon . . . more water as we neared Del Rio . . . .

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the Amstead Recreational  Area. LOTS of water and boating.

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Really nice to see something  other than cactus and sage.

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The clouds had cleared by noon and it was now HOT. High 80’s with a headwind. There is a difference between men and women cyclists. After a hot, windy day men want to hit the showers, change clothes and maybe have a cold one or too . . . maybe even a nap. But women . . . how about getting your nails done and haircut BEFORE you get to the motel. No time like the present when the mood hits! Gina called to say her and Margie were at Pro Nails getting their nails done. I thought she was kidding when I drove by because I didn’t see their bikes outside. Of course not . . . because they were inside with the girls!!!!

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Samples . . .I guess??

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Here’s Margie getting her fingernails done . . .

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. . . and Gina getting her toenails done. Gina was in such a hurry she could even take her helmet off!!!!

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We are staying at a GREAT family owned motel called named Whispering Palms. They have a GREAT art collection too.

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Here the owner Bob , and his son  Sam , pose with our newly manicured and coifed ‘biking babes’.  What fun! Del Rio is about 30,000 in population, so we have some exploring to do!!!

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The owner Bob , is a biker too!

reatha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. . but before we out on the town we met Retha, who is a patient coordinator for an Alternative Cancer Cure clinic in Mexico. She stays at the Whispering Palms three days a week. Most of her patients do to.