Day 24 - Tuesday, April 1

Fort Davis,TX to Marathon, TX - 56 miles - 1254 total

Larry's back! Through some fortuitous scheduling with Delta Airlines and Amtrack, he was able to fly to San Antonio from North Carolina, then board a sleeper car to Alpine, Texas, where we just happened to be on our way to Marathon today. Considering Amtrack runs Tues, Thurs, and Sat through Alpine, the gods were smiling on him. 

We met him at the Amtrack station with doughnuts, and his bike festooned with balloons. 

Today's ride, while broken midway by meeting Larry, was relatively fast, easy, and wind-free, although there was about a five-mile stretch where I was white-line gazing. 

I know you are saying, at this point, "what's with this guy and the wind?"  Believe me, when the success of one's day is dependent on the speed and direction of the wind, it becomes a big deal. 

So now we're camping at a RV park, the sun is blazing (91 degrees), and everyone is hunkered under the shade of the patio catching up with the world on their laptops, tablets and smartphones. 

Four highlights of the day:

First, of course, is Larry's return. 

Second is the Siberian husky pup that appeared at breakfast this morning, and gave us the "dog fix" that some needed. 

Then there was the English couple we met just outside of Alpine who were doing the Southern Tier fron east to west self-supported.  I'm in awe of anyone who would attempt this, or any long-distance trip on their own.  What I'm doing pales in comparison. 

And finally, the general store clerk in Marathon who noticed I had left my passport, which I carry with my wallet, on the counter after paying for a Coke and some chocolate milk, and got it back to me before we had mounted our bikes and ridden into the distance. Dodged the bullet again.