Nancy's Travel Journal

Reluctantly we pulled out of Indian Lodge around daylight.  As we left, I knew from the sign that we were getting close to the south just by reading the sign. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before we left the hills, I saw a coyote beside the road, his eyes asking what in the world was I doing on that road.  One historical marker told of the first rural school west of the Pecos River.  Numerous Texas historical markers indicate spots where settlers were attacked and killed by Indians.  I observed that most of these markers were erected in the 1930s and seemed to have an anti-Indian slant.  Around mile 30 we entered the town of Alpine, after fighting a cross wind for about 15 miles.  Time for a break. Somehow cyclists always know where the bakeries are.  Despite what the sign says, they did let me go in for a blueberry muffin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shipped a gift to Bill from Alpine.  Don't tell him that it is "hubcap" art.  We will have to find just the right spot at home for it.

The town seems to have a lot of pride as evidenced by the many murals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rest of the ride to Marathon was uneventful, except for the wonderful tailwind.  For the first time on the trip, I found myself in the big front chain ring.  Maybe I am getting stronger.  The ride may have been uneventful, but our stay in Marathon was not! Our first stop was the coffee shop for more baked goodies.  Two of us tried out another mode of transportation, but decided to stick with the bicycle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my last post, I was at the public library in Marathon.  It was about the size of my living room.  We had to sign a release, and give them our "photo ID", which they copied before we could use the computers.  The dear lady at the desk must have been a volunteer and about 80 years old.  She was so proud to tell us of their summer reading program, to which we left a donation.

We stayed at the historic Gage Hotel (http://www.gagehotel.com/). Unfortunately, by the time I arrived all of the massage appointments were taken.  We stayed in one of the rooms in the photo.  And the pool was nice, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before dinner, we held our nightly meeting to give out cue sheets for the next day's ride and talk about the happenings of the day. Everyone agreed that there was no need to leave at the crack of dawn.  We only had 54 miles to ride the next day.  And, who would want to leave this place?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the evening, we dined at the hotel.  Not too shabby!  I had BBQ pork medallions (probably not representative of true Texas BBQ, but really delicious) Wonder if any of the cows in the photo contributed to the steak dinners some folks ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am in a library in Marathon, TX, (destination after Ft. Davis) so there are no pictures for now.  I will try to add some later. 

Shortly before we were ready to leave Van Horn, I had my first flat tire!  Fortunately, there were a couple of my friends who had already had too much experience changing tires.  They helped me change it.  The ride from Van Horn to Ft. Davis was extremely difficult.  The first 40 miles was on I-10 and frontage roads, where they existed.  When riding on the interstate, you finally get used to the sound of big trucks and RVs.  The shoulders are wide, so I feel pretty safe.  We have to be careful of tire shreds, since they have little pieces of metal that can puncture a tire.  After 40 miles, our guide had prepared lunch for us at the ruins of Kent Public School.  Of course I had to explore the place.  If those walls could talk, I wonder what stories they would tell.

After lunch, the real challenge began as we left I-10 and headed for Ft. Davis.  There were sustained winds of 20-25 mph, with 30 mph gusts.  Several times, I had to get off my bike to keep from falling over. To add insult to injury, there was a steady climb in the road. Although my mind told me that there were other cyclists behind me, I really felt alone, wondering when I would see the SAG again.  There was no relief from the wind.  I would travel about 2 miles, then rest, then start over again.  Finally, the SAG came around the corner.  I had enough of the wind.  So I hoped in the car.  She was going back to check on folks, since we were all having such a hard time.  She was low on water so we decided to go up to the McDonald Observatory (top of the climb at 6800') to get water.  I decided to get out of the car there and ride the last 12 miles which were mostly downhill.  Before I started down the mountain, I spent some time at the observatory's visitors center.  This observatory is one of the most famous in the world.  I had heard broadcasts from there on NPR (Block and Bird-Earth and Sky) http://www.as.utexas.edu/mcdonald/mcdonald.html

Finally I decided it was time to sail down the mountain.  Well, there are lots of switchbacks and strong winds, so one does not exactly "sail".  But, it was a good ride.  On the way, I passed the Prude Ranch, a famous dude ranch. http://www.prude-ranch.com/  Looks like a place Polly might want to visit.

Finally, I arrived at our destination for two days, the Davis Mountain State Park, Indian Lodge http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/indian_lodge/.  What a magical place to spend two days.  We saw javelinas, birds, and other wildlife on the grounds.

On our day off, we went to the town of Ft. Davis to shop and do laundry.  Ft. Davis is the county seat of Jeff Davis County.  We know for whom it was named. However, nowhere is it mentioned that he has president of the Confederacy, just that he was Secretary of War.  Hille and I explored the actual Fort Davis, which is one of the best preserved forts in the US. http://www.nps.gov/foda/fortdavisfrontierpost.htm  In addition to other fascinating facts about this fort, several regiments of the buffalo soldiers (African American troops) were stationed there.  Second Lt. Henry Flipper, born into slavery in Thomasville, GA and the first African American graduate of West Point was also there for a while.  For some interesting history, see http://www.nps.gov/foda/fortdavisfrontierpost.htm

I hope to be able to come back to this place again someday.

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. 

This is a special post for "Miss" Tammie and "Miss" Dennie Kay's class at Metter Elementary and for Ms. Lopez's 2nd grade class at Tornillo Elementary. 

While we were waiting for lunch at La Calesa, I just had to visit the school.  Once an educator always an educator! 

I saw Tornillo Elementary School across the street.  So I went over to find the principal, like "Miss" Charlotte.  He is a man named Mr. Severo Alcoset.  Here is a picture of me with Mr. Alcoset.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tornillo Elementary (http://www.tisd.us/el/default.asp) is like Metter Elementary School (http://www.metter.org/mes.html).  It has Prekindergarten, First, Second and Third grades. The counselor (like "Miss" Tammie Lanier), Mr. Rosales, took me to Ms. Lopez's second grade class.  I took my bicylcle in the class so they could see all of my gear.  The boys and girls had lots of questions.  They looked at a map, just like the one at MES and saw where we are riding.  They wanted to know where I lived.  We found Georgia on the map.  They live in Texas.  Can you find Texas on your map?  Can you find Georgia on your map? They asked me if I could speak Spanish.  I can only say a few words.  Here is a picture of the class and me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of the first graders at Metter Elementary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we left, the boys and girls came out to say goodbye.  Thank you Mr. Alcoste, Mr. Rosales, Ms. Lopez, and all of the other staff for letting us visit.  You can send me a message by clicking on comment.  I will read it.  Remember to wear a helmet when you ride a bike.