A Quick Update

Well, I'm back in MD. Getting here and seeing snow was actually, (gulp) kind of nice to see! The problem occurred that while removing snow from my 100+ foot driveway, I pulled the same thoracic muscle I have previously pulled. But this time, the pain put me on my back for a full day and some more.

I did get a little bit of playtime in the snow with Karma and Custer for which I'm doggie sitting. Custer is a happy dopey yellow lab that Karma knows very well. They are snow pouncing, snarling, playing buddies.

It is great having Karma! I rarely put her on a leash except in very crowded places and restaurants. We went to the airport today to recover a bag I left on the plane. Throughout the terminal, I did not have her on a leash for a moment. She is very attentive to both voice and hand commands. My personal favorites are first, when she starts to stride away from me, I make a short hissing sound and she looks to me and goes in whatever direction I point. Second, when we are in line at a grocery store she will sit upon the short hissing sound and a snap of my fingers. It's very cool to have a good connection and understanding of dogs...thank you Sally and Cesar Millan!

Sadly, I have no new photos at this moment of Custer and Karma together and cannot wait to take those two mountain biking when I've healed a bit more and the snow has melted and the trails are usable.

But I do have great news! My blood pressure is down significantly! I went to my family practicioner who checked me out today...lowest my BP has been in about 2 years! Woo hoo...and she smiled too. Yeah for bicycling and getting out of the rat race and sleeping in ditches and cuddling up with a hound or two - they are all good for the heart and soul!

Until I get some more photographs and head out on my new adventures, that are yet to be determined, but I'm certain they will be good ones, take care.

To my friends who contacted me asking if I was OK because I hadn't made a posting in over a week, thank you for your concern! I miss you all. To my children, I miss you, love you and forever will.

Dad/Tim/Baby bro.

Just a Stroll Across the River - Don't Tell My Parents!

A Stroll
After a late start, I decided to make a quick jaunt just 6 miles away to the Rio Grande. With my rental car due back by 2:30, I headed out with Karma to the Mexican and American border. I parked approximately 300 yards from the border crossing and Karma and I began strolling along the border crossing road and I met Juanita who was walking to Mexico. Needless to say, she adored my fuzzy partner.

She and I walked approximately a quarter mile across the bridge leading to Ciudad Acuna. Along the way she told me a bit about herself. She was originally from Austin, TX, met her now husband who was deported back to Mexico and she followed him to Mexico to live.

As we approached the turnstile (toll) to exit the U.S., I stopped with Juanita and Karma for a quick photograph. The pedestrian toll is 75 cents heading south.

 As we crossed the long bridge, Juanita and I spoke about a number of topics from wildlife, culture, immigration laws, and environmental pollution. As we walked and conversed, I noticed a large number of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in plastic bags, water bottles and orange peels strewn on the bridge. I stated that I found it odd that there were so many sandwiches. She advised that they were sandwiches from deportees, sent back to Mexico from the U.S. and they are sent back with food and water, because the border patrol is never certain when the deportees had their last meal or when their next meal will be. Juanita hinted that Ciudad Acuna is a bit of an unforgiving town and expressed a positive vibe about the U.S. Border Patrol.

As we passed the above checkpoint, I was very excited to get my passport stamped. We walked through and had a greeting much like a Wal-Mart greeter and not even so much as a mark on my hand like I've paid a cover charge at bar on a Friday night.

Very cool statue.

 Immediately after this photo was taken, we were told by the Mexican border guard that we were not permitted to take any photos here. I assumed that the guard was coming to check the vaccination records for Karma. She didn't care that Karma existed. It now make me wonder if I'm current on my rabies vaccination!

Juanita and I strolled down the Main Street into Acuna in search of a nice bar that served tequila. I figured, when in Rome... We walked just a few blocks looking for a bar. Juanita asked a man who was walking on the far side of the street where to go for tequila. He pointed us several blocks away. We continued walking straight and a gentleman poked his head out of what appeared to be a bar, and encouraged us inside. Juanita looked inside and insisted we not go into that place. It was a barbershop. The barber must have thought I looked like I needed to get cleaned up.

Just half a block away, the proprietor of a corner bar, The Corona Club, invited us inside. Juanita made sure that he had tequila before we entered. In both English and Spanish he assured us he did! Inside we found that there were at least 5 different brands of tequila. I offered to buy Juanita a drink and she gratefully accepted. Together, we shared  time on our respective shots of Hornitos tequila. Now I must admit, I don't generally like tequila (but like I said, when in Rome...), but that was very easy going tequila - some really good stuff! The proprietor captured the American posse in the photo below and told us that the bar was used as a set for some movies...but I can't remember the name! Oy.

View down the Main Street.

Juanita and Karma outside the Corona Club

View back to the border

Trinkety junk for sale immediately before the border

It was right here where Karma and I said goodbye to Juanita. I gave Juanita a big hug and thanked her for her hospitality and for being our Acuna tour guide. The return cost to get through the turnstile was 25 cents.

On our way back to the U.S., Karma and I stopped for a few photos. Because she is so well trained, I don't need to have her on a leash, but as we neared the checkpoint, a guard yelled out to me from the toll booth style checkpoint, "PUT THAT DOG ON A LEASH!" I understood and called back, "OK," and reached into my pocket for the leash. Once again within approximately 10 seconds as I was still digging the leash out that was jammed in my pocket, the same guard yelled, "I SAID, PUT THAT DOG ON A LEASH!" to which I responded, "AND I SAID,'OK'!" as I began clipping the leash to Karma's collar. The only thing I could figure was that this woman was still very upset she did not get that full scholarship to the Division I college field hockey program upon which she had her sights set.

We wandered back to our car, well after 2:30. I was now responsible for another day of car rental fees. But it was worth the expense. I met a new friend and a pleasant experience ensued, except for the cranky U.S. Border Patrol meanie.

To everyone, I miss you and love you. To my children, I will forever love you.

A National Park Trip

Fun Section
Yesterday, I rented a car and drove back from whence I came to see the Amistad National Recreation Area and found some amazing views, 75 degree temperatures and blue skies. It was nice getting out of town for a bit. Not a whole lot happened. Karma tried to drink the reservoir and played a bit in the water. I skipped rocks.

Team photo of Karma & my shadow

Karma & the moon

Karma & the moon

It was right at sunset that Karma and I met CJ, an Air Force man. He was there to take photographs of the sunset as it set across the confluence of the Pecos and Rio Grand Rivers and the cliffs mentioned in the sign above. His goal after completing his military service is to become a professional photographer. From what I saw, as a "professional amateur" photographer (I actually tried at one point to be a photographer as a profession), he was using the right equipment, lenses, filters and settings.

After speaking with CJ for a while, I found out that he was from Frederick, Maryland. Of course we spoke about Baltimore and Maryland and our lives there. He was a very ambitious young man and seemed to really have a kind heart.

As the sun was setting, the moon was rising. Karma and I asked for CJs assistance getting our partner photo. He gladly did. The result was the following...I'm really happy with this one!

We headed to our temporary homestead, had some veggie lasagna and made snoozy. 

Changes in my journey are coming. I'm not sure exactly what they will be. My journey is a plastic, fluid, and malleable. I have some interesting ideas, but I won't spoil the fun by telling you now. New people will likely flow into my life creating new adventures, excitement and hence interesting journal entries.

To all of you, I wish you well. To my children, I miss you, love you, and forever will.

Pain and Kind Words

The Official Pain Section

On February 4, 1977 in the late afternoon on THE hill called Championship Hill, I was sledding with a friend. "Last run," we decided - planning to finish the day with the "greatest run ever." Tromping beside the sledding trail on the crunchy packed ice, we wound our way to the top of the hill in the woods. When we were at the trail's pinnacle, we scurried down the hill with our George Bailey-eque sleds. We dove upon the sleds while we were scurrying to get the fastest run possible. The runners that had been waxed were practically hovering across the sheer glaze at maximum speed. Tommy Seachrist was just ahead of me. The trail split left to go over a multitude of bumps or the to right which was a relatively calm trail that led about a quarter-mile down the hill to the school.

Our intent was to go right. Tommy made the turn easily. I however, wobbled a bit and couldn't get the steering to agree with my directional intent. A tree and I met in a most unfortunate way for me. The tree sustained some chipped bark. About 5 years later, I checked on the tree and it was fine but there was an evident scar. At the five year mark, I too was fine for the most part as well.

Regrettably, immediately after striking the tree, I knew something was drastically wrong. I had incredible difficulty breathing and could barely stand up. Tommy turned his head to see if I was going to overtake him, but he saw me staggering to stand. He dragged his feet into the crusty snow and carried his sled back up the hill to find out the cause of the delay. Gasping for air, I told Tommy I was really hurt. At first he didn't believe me. For some reason, he later did. I can only suppose it was the alabaster color I became.

Not knowing exactly what to do, I told Tommy I needed help getting to nearest house. Tommy helped to tend to his wounded comrade with great care. I held onto his shoulders as he walked, my weary legs trying to keep up with his stride. We approached the house and fortunately, the professional office in the home was open - a veterinary office. A quick diagnosis and a phone call to my mother, led me to the hospital for evaluation.

10 days later after emergency surgery to remove a lacerated lobe from my liver, I was sent home as a Valentine's Day present to all my family and friends. It was a tough 8 weeks, not being permitted to do any physical activity, per my surgeon's orders. (Please don't tell my mother, but I did sit and ride on a skateboard down Dan West's neighbor's driveway about 6 weeks after surgery.)

The ordeal was traumatic.  For about 7 or 8 years, I've come to realize, I had a type of PTSD related to the accident. I would relive the accident in daydreams and nightmares. In these episodes, my peripheral vision would become shallow and everything sounded as if I were in a tunnel. I specifically remember in 9th grade biology class with Miss Wheeler, sitting next to Ana Ramos, and I had an episode. It was the first episode I had in public and I knew it was happening but couldn't stop it. It lasted for less than a minute and for just a moment, it felt as if the world now knew of my episodes. I looked around the room and realized no one knew this happened. It was my own experience and no one else's experience. I have never written nor do I believe I ever told anyone about my episodes before seeing them now before me.

The internal scar tissue would continue to nag me for approximately 18 years. I recall being surprised in my late twenties when the scar tissue got caught on my lowest fixed rib. It was a bit startling because the last "hooking" hadn't occurred for approximately two years. Since then, the only issue I have with my liver is when I get MRIs or X-rays and need to explain the staples on the images to technicians and doctors.

In 1978, I wore a back brace for months and was called Frankenstein. Even as a kid, I was always had back pain. My mother for a while thought I was mimicking my father's pain, but mine was lumbar and his was always a thoracic issue. After the months of bracing, the orthopedic doctors determined that I was born with a vertebrae out of place, thus shifting my hips backwards and my stomach forward. I say that as a result I have a Jennifer Lopez butt and a Kevin James gut. I have the best of the best related to the Hollywood types. Unfortunately, this malformation causes persistent nagging and sometimes excruciating pain. It also likely was the impetus for other injuries that I have sustained including 5 knee surgeries due to the maligned hips.

In 1991 while body surfing in a rip tide in Ocean City, Maryland, I was hurled into a little ball and landed on my head, garnering a concussion and a sore neck. That sore neck turned out to be a bit more than a strain. An MRI showed a hook-like chunk of disc cartilage compressed against my spinal cord. Like my back, ever since then I have had persistent and sometimes excruciating pain, that will cause tears to roll down my cheeks.

When I decided to set off for my cross country bike journey, I hoped with all my heart and soul as I left Dog Beach in San Diego, that I would be able to complete the journey with ease. As time went on, the massages, chiropractic visits weren't able to alleviate or repair the constant strains on my knees, neck, back and a new pain in my right hip. Also, the numb left leg and left arm got old along with the raw nose from blowing snot rockets in the cold got to be too much.

Although the camping portion of my cycling journey is complete, there are more blogs and journeys to come. Different modes of transportation will be used and my blog, I don't believe will be any less interesting. Well, I'll certainly do my best for you my dear reader.

The Official Kind Word Section

There are times in our lives when certain things said to us stick in our minds. Unfortunately, some are negative, but sometimes, the kindest words are said that make us feel amazing. Along my journey, I have received especially kind words of support for my journey and support for me as a person. Some of these words I'll share with you. One person's words I believe I should share with you again. It made me feel amazing and made me cry because the words moved me so much. Yes, I cry for joy, pain and sorrow. I am unashamed of this fact. If you think differently that's your cross to bear.

I'm glad to help you adventurous types – you know how to live. And then I read your blog about the guy who died living. Incredible! Why don't I remember you like this at all? You're like a gift that was put in a closet because it's valuable but not immediately necessary. Then I find it, and it's amazing and worth the revealed. Please be safe. But I know you will do this well - KV

Although I don't know you well, I am in awe of this amazing opportunity you have taken. I have been following your blog and love the awesome photo's and stories. It is very cool since these are places I will probably never see, and am so intrigued as to what other parts of the country/world look like and how people live there. You are a great writer and I glad you have found company to travel with you. Karma is a beautiful dog and I am sure a loving companion. - TK


You are the sweetest Tim! You & your kind should daily remind me that it's always more important to give than receive. - JC


It was delightful sharing Christmas dinner with you. You have challenged my thoughts and am re-evaluating some priorities. 

I am glad our paths crossed. One thing that captured my core thoughts about meeting you, involved the first few minutes of our conversation. You were completely open, unguarded in meeting a new person. You were not closed off or pushy about your mission, but rather engaging (which my guess is your personality in general). You were open to the opportunity that was in the moment, meeting someone new without any expectations or strings. Just being friendly, but seemingly genuinely interested. While I tend to be a really friendly person, it stops at my agenda in that I am only open to what fits into my plans, not what I may get to experience in chatting with the other person. Even when you met Granny, and Nikki, you had an ease and openness that communicated interest. That has stuck with me. - AS

You are far deeper than you let on, Sir Tim. I really admire and respect that. - JK

You are the greatest.  You seriously are one hell of a nice guy. - DRZ


Good Luck and keep in touch. There are very few people from my end of the business I enjoy spending time with, and you fall into the small group. - SC

Regarding Karma - email sent to me by Special K's former owner Nick

The day I had to call Sally to help me find a solution for Karma (as you know she could not be alone at all) was one of the darkest days of my life. I am so happy her journey allows her to touch as many people and other animals as possible.

Thank you for your kindness towards both of my girls (Sally and Karma), I look forward to meeting you when you come over to the east coast. - NG

Thoughts

No doubt staying focused on the positive is critical. If you ever hear me complaining about my existence, please point me back to the messages. We all need to keep that in mind and eliminate the other superficial negative nonsense that tries to crowd into our heads. It is superfluous noise merely meant as a distraction.

Photographs

Unfortunately, there is nothing I have really found that is special to photograph in this town. The closest thing I could find was an extremely small wild flower in the courtyard of the hotel that unfortunately was so small it was impossible to capture it well with my small camera. This was one of only a few times I wish I had my SLR camera on the trip...I decided to post the photo anyway to give this posting some color. 

Until next time...to all of you, I wish you well and miss you. To my children, I love you, always have, and always will.

The Thank You Posting

A few friends and family reminded me of something incredibly important. My blog is about a journey and I don't need to have a  tête à tête of buffoonery with a simpleton. My blog is about a journey and fundraising for torture victims. The journey will continue, albeit in a different manner. I cannot wait for what comes next! 


I assure you, the adventures will be amazing!


Thanks for the reminder my dear friends and family.


If you have comments that you would to make regarding my posts, feel free to join the followers of this group.

Del Rio Ain't So Bad if You Don't Go Outside

The other day in my blog, I forgot to mention an important element of my conversation I had with the gentleman with whom I was riding as I approached Del Rio. He lived just outside of the city and worked in the city, so obviously, he had to be familiar with the community.  I told him I intended to remain in town for a couple of days and would like his recommendation on sites I must see in the town. Without hesitation, he flatly said, "There is nothing to see in this place." I expected a smirk from him, but no smirk was emitted from the corners of his mouth.

Yesterday, I went to a local bike shop to get some repairs made to my bike in anticipation of riding to San Antonio. After about an hour in the shop speaking to the manager, who was also repairing my bike, I asked him the same question about Del Rio as I did my fellow cyclist. Tim, the manager said, "There is NOTHING to see or do in the place. It is a bunch of hicks!"

So much for this being a great town in which to settle.

Karma and I went back to our hotel and sought out a massage for me. We found a spa just a few blocks from the hotel. We got to the spa, checked in, and met the therapist. After a brief discussion, she left the massage room. I turned to take off my clothing, hang them on hooks when I heard Karma's collar tags jingle. Spinning around, I saw Karma standing atop the massage table and I burst into a cackle, lifted her off the table and proceeded to get my massage.

On my ride back to the hotel, I made a decision that will change my plan to ride another 200 miles to get to Comfort. Instead, I'll be hanging in Del Rio to spend time writing about my life's journey over the past 2 years that have dramatically shaped my life. I hope that it will be cathartic, and yes, profitable. Dozens of people are convinced my story has the makings of a book, movie script or at least a dark comedy.

Today, I just simply relaxed and was pensive about my future - I really mean took a long nap. I enjoyed it much.

To my friends, I miss you and to my children, I miss you and love you and forever shall.

Boring Ride Until I Met Daniel

After a night's stay just shy of Comstock, Karma and I woke up, had breakfast and promptly went back to sleep. (As Mel Brooks said in History of the World Part I, "It's good to be the king.") When we awoke later, I met a gentleman in the cabin next to us and his friend. We chatted about our respective journeys. The one man had been on the road with his wife on their Harley Davidson's since July 2009 and were spending the winter in Comstock. (Not a place I'd personally consider staying a winter, but they made a tidy little home in their octagonal cabin.) The other gentleman was retired and just roaming the country. He asked about my journey and asked, "So, you on any schedule or time table?" I told him definitely not to which he replied, "Ain't no reason to wake up early then, now is there? Just take your time and enjoy your trip." 

Karma and I rolled out of town around 12:00. I felt a lot of body fatigue as I rolled out of town. But made the trip to Del Rio successfully - but slowed by 3 definitively broken rear spokes. 

There is absolutely nothing spectacular about the signs or the roads. Honestly! The amazing part of the photograph below is that it is the first traffic signal I saw in 175 miles! Last one, Alpine, TX.

Riding on Rt. 90 toward Del Rio, I saw a car parked on the opposite side of the road well off the shoulder and into the grass beside an exposed rock embankment. I saw a man beyond the vehicle and pulled across the two lane road to assure he was fine. We said our hellos and I noted he had a small notebook and a small rock hammer. I asked if he was a paleontologist because of his steel tool. In fact, Daniel, an Italian raised in Spain, was a sedimentologist studying the various layers of rock formations on the embankment. Karma hopped out of the trailer and moved into the tall grass to be cozy in the warm sun.

Daniel and I chatted for about 10 minutes about his studies, and I am very happy to report that I actually remembered a number of geologic terms from over 20 years ago while in college. I showed him the spoils of my rock digging from the other day and from New Mexico. I learned that the "crystals" I found were in fact gypsum - still very cool in my mind - and were the result of a chemical reaction from the layers of rock that were below the ocean floor millions of years ago. Additionally, I showed Daniel what I believed were  mollusks I found in New Mexico. He confirmed that they were in fact from a significantly earlier epoch than the gypsum I found. Again, a very cool discovery - well, for me at least.

My new Italian friend asked me why I was traveling cross country. I told him the multiple reasons and he gave me some insights about being hosted as a traveler and suggested I read a current translation of Homer's The Oddessy because of its correlation to my journey. He indicated he'd read the book at least seven times (4 more times than I've read my favorite book.) He also told me I must, must, must, go live in Santa Cruz, California because of the constant sharing he experienced while there (not to mention it's a great place to learn to surf). The sharing was not just physical items, but thoughts, ideas, efforts and help. There was a tremendous wisdom in this young man. I will be visiting Santa Cruz! Not sure when, but I'll go. Karma, now a proponent of the trailer, hopped in willingly, and we parted ways with our Boot Country friend.

Nearing Del Rio, I saw a bicyclist headed my direction at quite a fast pace on the opposite side of the 4 lane highway. As soon as traffic cleared, he veered across the 4 lanes, turned around and started riding with me toward Del Rio. This gentleman, I found, rides his bicycle to and from work daily, approximately 10 miles each way. He had two pannier packs on his bicycle and was dressed the part of a real cyclist. My guess is he was approximately 60 years old. He told me that on average, he rides anywhere from 350 to 450 miles per WEEK! In addition, he participated and completed the RAAM - Race Across America an annual endurance race that starts in a city on the west coast and ends in a city on the east coast and has a course changes yearly. It is such a demanding race that a rider is disqualified if they do not finish the race in 12 days - over 3,000 miles! Yeah, I don't think I'll be joining that ride any time soon.

Speaking of not finishing, I have some very disappointing but realistic news. My journey will be ending much sooner than I thought. I'm only going to continue riding for roughly another 200 miles which will bring my total miles to approximately 1,586 - over 1/2 of my intended journey. Last night and today were pivotal and deciding points in my trip. Last night I awoke in the middle of the night because of shooting pains all the way down my arms. I have had almost constant neck and back pain - including difficulty breathing at times (including at this very moment at 4:23 AM), coupled with new knee pains (the knee on which I've already had 4 surgeries started clicking and swelling) that have told me to call it quits. 

I cherish the thought of walking on my existing knees for a number of years to come (though my orthopedic surgeon told me last February that I'll almost definitely be having arthritis in my left knee soon). I will continue my journey, but in a different manner and will get to that in another entry after I've ended my trip in Comfort, TX. I have to end my adventure there symbolically, simply because of the name. (Perhaps a mystic or a shaman will be able to fix the missing cartilage in my knee and repair the bulging disc in my neck and degenerated disc in my low back. I can hope can't I?) I also have already purchased a ticket for skydiving and don't want to ruin my knees for that event that will happen later this year. 

Finally, I don't think Karma really likes her running shoes all that much either. She says they make her butt look big.

I'll be spending another day in Del Rio, fixing my bicycle and recovering a bit (perhaps finding a massage therapist), and then heading out for a bunch of miles on Wednesday. 

Until my next blog, I wish you well, and to my children, I miss you, love you and will forever love you.

And the Winds Reverse Course

 After rains overnight, Karma and I took our time getting ready (drying out our tent covering) and basically organizing for the day. We slowly wandered up the hill to a general/convenience store. Much to my delight, the Baltimore Ravens game was on the satellite TV. I ended up staying through the first half, eating some tortilla chips with hot sauce (no salsa was available at this very basic general store) and chatting with the owners and other patrons.

We took off out of town for the roughly 30 miles to Comstock. Thankfully, the wind was significantly at our backs for the day. Although there was plenty of climbing but the trailer and a vertical position of riding, made for good "sails."

I decided not to bore you my dear reader with mindless photos of boring Texas vistas, because they are completely tiresome. I did however take a few photographs of historical markers and the Pecos River the bridge's shadow. Indeed the river is green! I'm not certain of the elements that make it green, but it was a gorgeous green.

At a rest area on TX Rt. 90 east of Langtry approximately 12 miles.

We pulled into an RV Park and I indicated I didn't want to pitch my tent but rather rent a cabin. They only accepted cash. I was short of the amount necessary. The manager offered to drive me the 2 miles into town to get the additional amount necessary from an ATM in a convenience store. In addition, he offered me leftover spaghetti he and his girlfriend had made for lunch (I gratefully accepted) and a baked potato that I cooked up with some refried beans and a jar of hot sauce I purchased at the convenience store.

Ah, to feel that satiated is lovely. I do believe however, I need to get some more fish into my diet to keep my legs going for the next few hundred miles of my journey. I looked at the elevation map and gasped. There are some significant climbs of 1,000 feet or more in what appear to be extremely short distances after I leave Del Rio. Austin may take a few days to reach! Ugh.

Perhaps tomorrow afternoon I'll get to writing my thank yous to lots of people in this blog. Some treasured correspondences I have received over the past few months have helped to motivate me to push onward in my journey and have made the journey spectacular.

To my friends and family, I miss you and love you. To my children, I love you, have always loved you and will forever love you.

A Whole Lotta Nuthin' but Boring and Bummers

Not much to report after finally making the 54 miles to Sanderson. Woke up bright and early with plenty of time to ride 60 miles to Langtry, but the bicycle gods refused to allow me to proceed. Three flat tires, three broken spokes and a night alongside TX Rt. 90 ensured after only 37 miles.

 Early morning came with the next obvious stop being Langtry. Karma and I knew that 23 miles would be no big deal. However, little did I know we'd face 20-30 mph headwinds the entire ride. At one point I am convinced I hit 45 mph winds. That was right as I rounded a bend and hit a wind tunnel of sorts where a hill  was carved down about 40 feet to make for easier road building. I actually was cursing at the wind. I'm not 100 percent certain if that helped or not, but it made me feel better temporarily.

 At this peak from approximately 2 miles away, I spotted a white vehicle parked. From what I've come to know, this could only be one of two vehicles - A rancher looking for coyotes or the US Border Patrol. As I approached, I determined it was the border patrol. Karma and I set up the hill from the road and met the officer, a young woman approximately 30 years old. She told me she spotted us in her binoculars way off in the distance and couldn't initially figure out what was behind my bike and then deduced it was a trailer because of my little runner beside me.

 I stopped at the area below to do a little fossil hunting (this time to no avail) but did find crystals in the sedimentary rock - very small ones, approximately 3/8" thick. They will go to my daughter and the fossilized mollusks I found in New Mexico will go to my son - just little mementos to let them know I'm constantly thinking of them.

 Yeah, I found flowers!

As we rode the final miles into Langtry, the clouds to our northwest became ominous of an impending storm. The winds died down (thanks to Rush Limbaugh ceasing to speak for a few minutes) at this time. We crept into Langtry and set up camp at a small RV park where Karma had a nice play date with an enormous Great Dane. After making pleasantries with the owners, I quickly set up my tent, feeling a few raindrops. We snuggled in the tent and then passed out, even with the buffeting of our tent from the wind and rain.

 So with blue skies this morning Karma and I are just relaxing in the warm sunshine, of 58 cozy degrees at this writing. We stepped across the street to photograph the post office and the "justice center" of Judge Roy Bean. With that semi-mandatory stop made, we set off for packing and heading toward Del Rio. 60 miles away.

To my friends and family, I miss you and love you. To my children I love you and forever will.