I need to note that the people of Sierra Blanca were very nice to us. The hotel was not the greatest since the Ritz Carlton, but the people who ran it were genuinely nice and helpful.
We had dinner at Curly's, a BBQ place on the East side of town (see pictures). The people there were real characters, gruff, teeth challenged, but again, really nice. Patrick and Tresa were the cook and waitress respectively. Tresa isn't a typo - it is Gaelic according to Patrick who wields the knives in the place, so who was arguing? The food was great and Patrick was so disappointed we did not have one of his steaks, he gave us one anyway. Great place good people.
So as Marty mentioned, we got out of town on the wings of a monster tailwind. It was great! There were times we were flying downhill at over 35, soft-pedaling on flats at 25 (remember we are toting a bunch of stuff) and going uphill in the teens. We had a great lunch in VanHorn and arrived in Kent feeling great with 75 miles under our belts.
Then Texas 118 - look it up. 10 miles later, legs are feeling dead. Not painful, just dead. You cyclists know the feeling - zero horsepower. We stopped and set up camp DUMBASS - in a 5ft by 6ft concrete culvert.
This morning began with the most painful 30 minutes of riding I have ever experienced. Frost bitten fingers and feet numb to the midfoot only added to the fun of traveling uphill at 6 MPH.
We struggled all day to get a measely 37 miles behind us. We really need a full rest day. We think we will hold out until we get to Del Rio - nice big lake, milder temperatures, and more stuff.
Our final stop today, Fort Davis, does not have a lot going on, but it did have a coin-op laundry which we desperately needed according to the coyotes who took one sniff of us last night, howled and ran for the hills.
At the coin-op a nice lady gave us some detergent and told us about the Chuck Wagon where she worked. It was yet another great Texas BBQ place. Worth a stop, if for some reason you happen to be out on Texas 118!
Tomorrow we go as far as we feel like going - right now, I feel like going to sleep, so until next blog...
Jake
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I hope you got to see the Indian Lodge State Park in Ft. Davis but riding side trips is probably not what you are about. Del Rio does have a little more than Ft. Davis, a huge lake, a movie, but not a lot more. If you go to the bike shop, tell the guy, Rex said you are his cousin. You will have good weather in Texas now, rains are gone. Enjoying your blog. Marty's aunt in law, Kay
ReplyDeleteHey Jake! Very impressed and having a good time following the blog. =] Keep on keepin' on! You guys are in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY ST.PADDY'S DAY
ReplyDeleteMay the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING, KEEP IT UP.