We left Ft. Hancock just after daybreak because we had a long ride. We rode along a "farm" road for quite some time. Farm roads are paved, but not very smooth. After that we alternated between frontage roads and I-10. The frontage road was a "shake and bake" with a gradual climb, quite a struggle. Border patrol vehicles were everywhere. At this checkpoint, all east-bound traffic had to stop for inspection. Some of our folks were still riding on I-10 and were stopped by a border patrol with a dog. "Are you American citizens?" They didn't have to say much for him to know they were legal!
At Sierra Blanca, it as time for lunch again. We found "the place"-a horse motel, truck stop and favorite restaurant of law enforcement. So we knew we were at the best place in town. Polly, the second picture is for you.
We rode for about 19 miles on a frontage road on the west side for a while, then had to cross I-10 to get in the east-bound lane. Rather than cross at a gravel crossing, we elected to try the culvert. It was safe, but very muddy inside. My bike needed a serious cleaning at the end of the day in Van Horn!
The ride on into Van Horn was uneventful. We stayed at a Best Western in Van Horn. Nothing to write home about, but at least we were all on the first floor, very important when you have a bicycle and luggage to manage.
Nancy's Travel Journal 
Hey Nancy,
I’ve been following along the whole way. What a wonderful and exhilarating experience for you. I can’t wait to see you and hear all the stories. You look great, girlfriend!
Thanks so much for calling to wish me a happy birthday. It was indeed a very nice one this year…. nothing exciting, just nice and warm. I didn’t try to call back. I’ll talk to you once you return. You seem to be growing stronger each day. How awesome!
Of course you just had to stop in at the local school. So cute and especially important for those students who are waiting back home in Metter for your return.
Love, Kay
Hi Nancy, Am enjoying your adventure. Hope you are not burning out, though. Take care, Sam
This is so fasinating! The pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Be safe!
Nancy, I have been flowering your journey with interest. It has been many
years since I have lived in Metter. I live in Dothan, Alabama now. Woodrow
(Woody) Tillery. I knew your parents Nita Belle and Howard and considered
them as very good friends.
Early on, after we moved to Metter our family became very good friends with
Mr. and Mrs. John Lee and their children Nita Belle, Claudine
and Lehman. This friendship lasted a lifetime.
At one time Mr. Lee was in the produce business. He would buy chickens and
haul them to Savannah to sell. After selling the chicken she would buy
bananas, oranges, apples, grapes and
other produce. Mr. Lee would haul the produce back to Metter to sell. He
sold some to merchant, on Fridays, and Saturdays he sold produce from his
truck. Mr. Lees truck, was an old Buick touring car with the body removed
from the
front set back and replaced with a flat bed body with sides. On a few
Occasions I would make trips to Savannah with Mr. Lee. On one of these trips
we had the truck loaded with chickens filled coops. Each coop had perhaps
twenty chickens maybe more. The coops were stacked as high as we could get
them. When going to Savannah in those days we would go through Statesboro.
As we were nearing Statesboro Mr. Lee said “we are going to take the short
cut through Statesboro”. By doing this we would miss downtown Statesboro. On
this short cut driving at a moderate rate of speed we passed under some low
hanging utility wires. The wires came in contact with the top layer of
chicken coops, dragging several off. As the coops hit the ground some ripped
open chickens scattered into a lumber yard near by. We caught most of the
chickens shortly because they were dazed and stun. With the remainder we
spent the good part of the next two hours chasing, and catching chickens.
While delivering produce in Metter from store to store Mr. Lee would let me
drive the truck. I was perhaps fourteen years old at that time. At that age
it was a thrill to drive a vehicle and a stimulus to my ego. At that point
in time driving a car equates to becoming a man. There were no state driver
licenses nor age limits or any other restrictions to operate a vehicle in
those days.
Nancy, I spoke with Polly today and got this address. I didn’t even realize that you had this whole cyber trip thing going on. It is going to take me an hour to read thru everything, but I am looking forward to it.
I am really proud of you for doing this. As I prepare for my half Ironman triathlon in a few weeks, I can’t help to think about doing something like this in my later years. You are one lucky gal.
By the way, many thanks go out to you and Polly for introducing me to cycling almost 10 years ago! You have inspired me to ride many centuries, work my way up to racing a full Ironman triathlon, and just to keep in generally good shape.
Keep on riding, watch out for saddle sores, remember that Body Glide can be your best friend, and stay away from local “energy food” at the rest stops…contrary to popular belief, they ARE NOT calorie-free. GO TIGERS!
Nancy, I’ve tried to send a note to you a couple of times, but it was a no-go. Anyway, it looks a great a trip. You and your group are riding over parts of the country that I flew over for years. Gives me inspiration to get on my Harley and do the ride that you are on. Stay safe and have fun. Love, Robert