Sunday, March 22, 2009

Las Cruses, NM to El Paso, TX

Today seems like a rest day even though I rode 65.26 miles at an average of 14.6. This morning everyone was worried about predicted high winds so I rolled out of the hotel parking lot at 7:06am with Lois B and Marcie. These two ladies are just awesome. They tucked me into the middle and they took turns pulling. We finished the ride in 4:28. Counting our stops we got to the hotel about noon. The hotel was able to give us rooms. The trailer with our luggage arrived shortly and we all grabbed washing machines. Only one of the next four night's hotels has a washing machine so laundry was critical.

The ride was pretty nice. We rode on empty roads through farm land and a lot of horse country. We saw lots of pecan groves and really beautiful horses. We had been warned about El Paso traffic but because we were early on a Sunday morning we were pretty lucky.

Much to our disappointment there was no "Welcome to Texas" sign. Considering we are here for the next three weeks I thought there would be more. At San Jacinto Plaza we tried to take a photo of the Texas flag but as you can see the wind did not cooperate.

Today at dinner we will celebrate our new state line crossing. It is hard to believe that we now have ridden from the Pacific Ocean, across California, Arizona and now New Mexico. I have ridden a total of 861 miles.

A photo of a flooded pecan grove with birds on the water.

The lone star flag.

Sign at San Jacinto Plaza.

Beautiful only Kress building in downtown El Paso.



8 comments:

Angela said...

I am very impressed! You are now in Texas. It is hard to believe that you have already gone through 3 states. It seems like not that long ago you were dipping you wheels in the ocean. I am proud of you!

Anonymous said...

Don't worry about seeing no sign for Welcome to Texas! There is a great one on the other end of the state in THREE weeks!! Watch for it as you cross the next state line! Our group all used that one!

Anonymous said...

WELCOME TO TEXAS!!!

See you soon, genie

Anonymous said...

Fourth state!! Pretty impressive. I look forward to your updates and will see about that package.

Nikki

Fe-lady said...

Congratulations on your fourth state and over 800 miles! Wow! Just think-you are almost half way there! Amazing.
Don't you just HATE to see flags whipping in the wind like that when you know you are going to be on a bike? Glad you got through it. Thanks for the update!

I am going to look for Greg on Sunday at the race....

Anonymous said...

Wow, fourth state already!! I am very impressed. Enjoy the lone star state today, tomorrow, next week, etc!

Anonymous said...

Last comment was from me...

Anonymous said...

Patty - I am in awe of how well you are doing!!! Continue to have an amazing time, and enjoy TX. Teresa