Day 19 Cross Country Bike Trip
Did I mention that it was windy yesterday? Well, if I didn’t, it was! It rocked our little RV most of the night and we were afraid Tobey would have terrible winds again today. This morning, it started off fairly calm, thank goodness. I think I told you about the railroads in the area, as well. The track goes parallel to the road and we heard train whistles until 11pm last night! We crossed into the Central Time Zone yesterday, so sunrise was late this morning so we slept in a little (7:30) when the trains started up again.
After driving back to yesterday’s stopping point, Tobey was on the road around 9:45. It had warmed up to 43 when he took off, no wind, and the sun was shining and Tobey was smiling!
There was more traffic today, but the road is fairly wide, so that helps. About two miles before Valentine, Texas is the Prada Store. It isn’t really a store, but an art project that was commissioned and built in 2005. Modeled after a Prada boutique, the structure includes luxury items from the 2003 fall collection. It’s wild to see this art exhibit out in the middle of nowhere, but the land on which it sits was donated by a local rancher.
Lunch and rest break in Valentine had Tobey ready to tackle the open road again. He had some crosswinds this afternoon, but they weren’t too strong.
About 10 miles down the road, there is a tethered aerostat radar system blimp (TARS). It is an American low-level airborne ground surveillance system that uses aerostats as radar platforms. There are eight blimps that watch over the southern US border.
Further along the road I came across a historical marker that notates some of our not so great history. The Texas Rangers and 8th Calvary were responsible for the deaths of 15 men and boys at the Porvenir Massacre in 1918. Skirmishes along the border during the Mexican revolution prompted a raid by the rangers. The US government dismissed five rangers and disbanded Company B for their actions. The 140 remaining residents of the Porvenir community abandoned the site.
Shortly after this area Tobey and I had a “check-in” before he continued on. I had stopped on the side of the road and would wait 30 minutes before my next “chase.” A truck pulling a trailer stopped in front of me. The man jumped out and ran back to the RV to check if I was okay or needed any help. It always restores my faith that most people really are good when things like that happen. Thanks, good Samaritan!
Our friends, Phil and Marcia met us about three miles outside of Marfa. Tobey continued riding to the Marfa Lights Viewing Area and we are camping here for the night. Even after riding 77.1 miles today, he was still smiling!
Today's ride link https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29213367
The moon was rising in the east and cast a beautiful glow over the landscape.
To the west, the sun looked like it was burning as it sank on the horizon!
The Marfa Lights have been reported in this area for more than 100 years. In 1883, a young cowboy, Robert Ellison reported sighting the lights while tending a herd of cattle. We went out tonight to see if we could spot any mysterious lights. We did see some unusual lights in the distance that came and went. A guy that has come here before said he has seen them in that same area. We will look again tomorrow, too!
The moon will be full tomorrow night and there is going to be a lunar eclipse, so we are staying another night in the area. Tomorrow will be a rest day before Tobey and Phil continue the bike trip together.
There was more traffic today, but the road is fairly wide, so that helps. About two miles before Valentine, Texas is the Prada Store. It isn’t really a store, but an art project that was commissioned and built in 2005. Modeled after a Prada boutique, the structure includes luxury items from the 2003 fall collection. It’s wild to see this art exhibit out in the middle of nowhere, but the land on which it sits was donated by a local rancher.
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