San Antonio to Austin to LaGrange

The ride to Austin was more scenic green lush background. Not a lot of pictures. We rode through San Marcos we think that is about where we hit 1000 miles on our bikes both of us have been having computer problems. I was not feeling well so just took it easy. We did pass a group of cyclist coming from Austin. We stopped at Mellow Johnnies, Lance had been there earlier, darn. The next day I really wasn't feeling well I rode 10 miles and couldn't keep anything down. We went through a State Park where Maria was safely able to pick up more miles and hills. I am feeling better sleep helps.

San Antonio

What can I say, we ate and Margarited our way all along the River Walk. Jaime flew into San Antonio and we all enjoyed the festivities of their annual Festival and did some sightseeing. Monday we had heavy rain for a couple of hours but, that doesn't stop us.

Thanks Karl for the restaurant tip. I am so full I need to cycle again.

Nancy and Mike ever had a Prickly Pear Margarita? Really good.

Pics: The Shell is for those that did Camino de Santiago de Compostela

Waterfall on the RiverWalk and Mission San Jose

Hondo to San Antonio

Another great day leaving Hondo we had again great Farm to Market roads little traffic and relatively smooth surfaces. We crossed some more scenic creeks got lost a couple of times and even had a cat race with me along side the road. The cat must hang out with dogs?

San Antonio is a treat this is my first time here and I am enjoying walking everywhere along the River Walk. The restaurants and margaritas are really good. I was surprised that the Alamo is in the middle of town practically. Not use to all this greenery. It has been extremely windy the last couple of days nothing new to us.

Pics: Medina Creek, Fountain @ Alamo, Farm to Market Road, River Walk and Margaritas

Campwood to Hondo

Another day in Paradise we left Campwood and climbed further into hill country great Farm to Market roads and Ranch to Market roads on the way out of town we saw some young bucks. Then the ride began to feel like Torture Tuesday we climbed Couser the hard way and when we got to the top Sleeping Indian was waiting for us with a couple of her little sisters. ( Or is Sleeping Indian a guy?) We had scattered showers today and at the top some strong cross winds made the down hill a little fast and scary I wanted to close my eyes. Leakey is a Biker town mostly of the Harley variety. We crossed this mystic river Rio Frio the water was so green it looks like what I think the Bayou's resemble. Another 10 or 15 miles of rollies and we had lunch and on to Utopia. Again the roads are starting to get real rough I loved crossing the rivers because the roads were smooth surfaces. We are in Hondo tonight and will be in San Antonio for the next 3 nights.

David I had Shrimp something and a salad of Romaine Palms, walnuts, goat cheese and some wonderful dessert.

Kathy thanks for the kudos.

Del Rio to Campwood

Today the temperature was 72 degrees quite a bit cooler, muggy, overcast, gravelly road and a head wind. The road side was covered in lovely yellow flowers. A long the way Maria had a blow out of her tube and it took 4 tubes and 3 C02 cartridges and our sag car to get us up and running again. We have gone through a lot of tubes for only 4 flats. It took 4 hours to go 21 miles and that includes the time spent trying to replace the tubes. Eventually we turn up in to hill country and the wind changes and the scenery becomes breath taking and alive with deer and other sights. We cross the Nueces River and into Campwood a really old town. There were two old cowboys sitting across from us at dinner with holsters and cell phones in them.

Sanderson to Del Rio

Another day in Paradise tail winds, small hills, flowers blooming every where, few cars, trucks road was okay and the temperature rose to 113 degrees. We left fairly early and rode 60 miles before stopping for lunch. We arrived in Langtry had another great picnic and then we explored Judge Roy Bean's saloon/court house. We finally had some great scenery where the Pecos

River meets the Rio Grande. The west shore of the Rio Grande is Mexico. Tomorrow we climb a little away from the rivers.

Thank you Phil, you could be here to.

Marathon to Sanderson

We are still in Texas and the country side is blooming. Todays ride was fast and hardly any cars on these little back roads, most cars are extremely friendly and helpful stopping to ask if we need help, even a State Trooper asked us. Today we saw buffalo everyday seems to be something different how lucky can we be.

Fort Davis to Marathon

Another great day on the road. This part of Texas is scenic we started by exploring Fort Davis a lot of history, built in the mid 1800's to harass the Indians some of the officers' quarters look as new as todays. The ride out of Fort Davis was smooth and a tail wind we saw antelope playing on the range. We experienced a dust devil where the winds swirl around you and push you in both directions a little unnerving. I had my first flat. After lunch the road became extremely rough the winds stronger and the hills bigger. All that pounding caused my saddle to slip down about 1/2 inch. We stayed in Marathon another quaint western motel with a fabulous courtyard. After dinner we sat and star gazed no shooting stars. We have found that most motels/hotels on this route have rags to clean bikes available to cyclist. Best treat today was a 5 star restaurant in this tiny little town.

Van Horn to Fort Davis

Howdy y'all leaving Van Horn was easy to do nothing to keep us there, we had 22 miles of nothing, only one car, oh and a chilly head wind not nearly as strong as the previous ones. When we arrived at Kent we made a turn and the landscape and landscaping greatly improved. I do think wealthy ranchers live in that area. We actually stopped to watch a few cowboys corralling their herd. We had gentle rolling hills more like a steady climb and a tail wind. We rode about 50 miles and had another great lunch in a great place. And then we started our climb towards the McDonald Observatory. It wasn't steep a lot like Circle R and then we rolled down into Fort Davis the scenery keeps getting better. We found a quaint charming old Hotel that has Buttermilk pie to die for and other tasty foods.

Hi Lisa thanks for the wishes.

Nancy and Mike keep the wet there.

Pics: Landscaping, cowboys, Texas looking better, a great picnic spot, our Hotel sunroom

Van Horn, Tx

Today was a relaxation day we toured the Red Rock Ranch where some movies had been made 20 years ago and visited the local museum. Our guide was very enthused about the area. It was great to talk to a lot of you today felt like I was at home. After Sunday we will be out of cell and internet contact for about 3 or 4 days maybe we will have service?

Sierra Blanca to Van Horn

Another day in paradise. It was a little chillier as we are climbing again. Leaving Van Horn will be our last major climb up to 6800 feet. I don't have any pictures there was nothing out there. I tried to convince Maria it is where the Presidential Bunker is hidden she didn't buy it. We saw one cyclist two cars and lots of trains what a great road to cycle on no traffic. We are exploring Van Horn tomorrow so I will have pics.

El Paso to Sierra Blanca

What a great day the wind Gods smiled on us today we were cruising along at 23-25 mph. We traveled the road less traveled stopped in Fabens at the church of Guadalupe. We are riding really close to the border and had lunch at a little park by the border. Later a dog was running along the canal trying to race us he kept looking over to see who was ahead and almost fell in the canal. Later a coyote crossed in front of us as the road is becoming more deserted only Border Patrol Hummers. The ride today revitalized my spirits. We stayed in the quaint town of Sierra Blanca where the Transcontinental Railroads met. Our motel was the epitomy of western. Thanks to all of you with your comments they keep me motivated.

Pics: Road Less Traveled, hitched to the post, Transcontinental site

Las Cruces to El Paso

This morning was a great day for a bike ride we cruised through Pecan Groves that arched over the road. And then we came into the fields and the wind Gods were waiting for us with gust up to 40 mph and dust. We looked like walking dust balls. We attempted Anthony Gap and the 375 Loop around El Paso guess what it was closed to bikes and is now a major interstate. We didn't get very far hopefully the winds will die down tonight.
Nancy we did find a great restaurant in Truth or Consequences "Hot Stuff"

We have revised our itinerary and slowed it down a little we should arrive in St. Augustine on May 20th.

Hillsboro to Las Cruces

Today was a great ride leaving Hillsboro some rollies some wind and 17 miles later we arrive at the Rio Grande and headed south. Again spectacular views following the Rio Grande south. I do believe the wind Gods favor us and like to see us head on they were challenging us every pedal stroke. We met a group of 5 traveling to San Diego from St. Augustine they said we were headed in the wrong direction. Go figure. We had lunch in Hatch and spent a little time and money there. In Hillsboro we had no cell phone or internet so at the Rio Grande we were talking to friends and family. One of my pictures is for Lou and one for Dan and Michelle.

Silver City to Hillsboro NM

Silver City is a small town since we were there for Easter everything was closed. We did a little walking tour it was windy and cool. The elevation was difficult to get use to our hotel was the Palace Hotel an old quaint buildingin Historic Old Town, where we had to walk up stairs, that was harder than cycling. We rode out to Emory Pass 8226 feet the scenery was breath taking along the way it reminded me of Circle R, East Grade Palomar, Couser and Rice for 20 miles. A little wind, of course I am dressed for cold but, climbing negates that. The little head wind was refreshing. At the top we met a father and son who had climbed it in both directions. Going down was a treat a little gentler than South Grade Palomar and of course a head wind. It was down hill all the way to our charming B&B in Hillsboro the Enchanted Villa owned and operated by a woman from Vista, Ca.

Pics: Mango Salsa at the top made by Malena, the down hill, me going over Emory Pass, and Silver City walk.