Howdy Partner - El Paso, Texas

68 miles from Las Cruces, NM to El Paso, Texas....crossing another state line means a Margarita party tonight! Of course bikers can't have more than one drink or they won't make it the next day! Our first 35-40 miles took us past grove after grove of pecan trees. The sign above was posted frequently. Next time you buy pecans, check to see where they are from. This area must also be "farm country" as we passed acres and acres of land, some planted and some waiting to be planted. The mountains are off in the distance now.

Little cotton bush growing along the roadside. first 50 miles was basically flat, with nice shoulder and very little traffic. We continue to visit very small (often economically challenged) cities as we travel on our way.

I know WI has alpacas...but this was too pastoral picture perfect to pass by. We also pass by many horse farms....still not seeing any cattle but at least today we didn't have to stop for cattle guards....Dept. of Transportation must have caught on....there are none! We also passed quite a few wineries - most claiming free tasting - but alas, it is Sunday - they are not open.

This is the 4th or 5th time in the past two days that we passed over the Rio Grande River...I sure hope we are not riding in circles! I'll check the map tonight to make sure this river winds as much as it appears to.

El Paso is a border town and we viewed this fence between Mexico and U.S. for miles and miles. I wanted a closer picture....but.....didn't want to be arrested! This fence is not as intimidating as the border fence, or I should say wall as we saw in CA. We didn't see any border patrol or dogs.

One wrong right turn and I would have been in Mexico! Although Mexico has great prices, and there are a few items I would have wanted...I followed the cue sheet and stayed in the U.S.

Disappointment for the day.....there was no "Welcome to Texas" sign on Hwy 28...so we had to make do and place a map on the sidewalk and as you can see, I laid down and pointed to El Paso, Texas so we knew we had made it. We expected more out of the Lone Star State!


Our last 18 miles was a bit hairy with traffic. "The Sweepers" didn't do their job today...we came in before three of the other bikers. We understand those three spent time at a bike shop getting their bikes tuned up....and when we hit the "the 375 Loop" around El Paso we decided to book it and actually traveled about 16-18 miles per mile. I'm sure the sweepers will be back in position tomorrow.

Still only 27 degrees this a.m......warmed up to 60's.

Time for supper and margaritas!

Important Facts:

• Our guides tell us we are burning 4,000 - 5,000 calories a day!

Important Assumptions:

• Since I'm not losing any weight, I must be consuming about 3,500 - 4,000 calories per day - go figure?!