Periodic Progress Report Southern Tier Cross-Country Bicycle Tour

Date(s): Oct. 15, 1999

Layover Day, Davis Mountains State Park, Ft. Davis, Texas

Even though we just had a layover day 3 days ago in El Paso, TX, most of us were ready for another one after the hilly 90 plus mile day yesterday. Several of us rode into town to shop, do laundry, eat, and pick up mail. I received the remaining route maps that I had left at home and that Kerie agreed to send. Bruno won the contest for most mail received; it helps to send the itinerary to friends and family ahead of time.

We had a late brunch of delicious blueberry pancakes and potatoes after the cooks (Spike and Suzanne) went into town to shop. There was no time to shop yesterday after the late arrival. I took a walk to the top of one of the nearby peaks that had an excellent view of the surrounding terrain, including a view of the observatory with our campground in the foreground. I completed a couple of pen and ink sketches and some grasshopper and plant studies, then returned to camp. Jim and I rode into town to collect mail and check out the place. I took a photo of one of the churches in town then I visited a strange little museum located in a home on the National Register of Historic Places that consisted mostly of a large doll collection. I was escorted by a nice couple of ladies who live behind the house.

Later I met up with Oliver, Jimmy, Todd, and Suzanne for an iced latte as we waited for the homecoming parade. We had a great seat on Main Street (the only one paved), and enjoyed all 5 cars and trucks in the parade, with a bicycle contingent bringing up the rear. To round out the tour of Ft. Davis I stopped by the Rattlers and Reptiles shop/museum to look at the various snakes, spiders and other creatures, passing by the frozen mice thawing on a rock in front of the shop.

Cyndi and Oliver cooked another version of their chili, perfecting their recipe each week. After dinner a friend of Todd's offered to drive a group of us to the observatory for the Friday Star Party. Three telescopes were set up for viewing Saturn, Jupiter, and the moon. It was surprising to see so many people there in such an unpopulated area. It was a late night, and that combined with our noisy camp neighbors (although a little less noisy now that Cyndi just told them to shut up), will make for a short night. Tomorrow should be an easy day, mostly downhill for 55 miles into Marathon.