According to Katherine: Day 22 Recap

What a fabulous day in West Texas! It was a chilly 45 degrees when we left the Davis Mountains State Park at 8:30 a.m.

I had scrambled eggs with egg beaters for breakfast in the restaurant, with two cups of fresh, hot coffee and a slice of wheat toast.

As we cycled out of the park, a javelina ambled across the road just in front of us. Now, we realize the enormous dead animal we saw on Wednesday was a wild boar. Javelinas generally weigh 60 to 70 pounds!

At the SAG stop 20 miles out, we couldn't wait to peel off layers of clothes. We had a 20-mile reprieve from the chip seal surface and some downhill, too, so we were making good time. I enjoyed a personal best today: I came down a long gradual hill at 35 miles per hour without applying the breaks. A first for me!

As soon as we got to Alpine 40 miles out, I had cell and internet service, but could not get my blog post to transmit. My fret level was rising by the minute. Marge said, "It may be a long shot, but our best chance is to hope we will come upon a Verizon store." Within five miles, right across Highway 90 from Sul Ross State University, there was a Verizon store! Pedro was happy to resolve the problem, and I was elated by my good fortune.

The high rock formations were majestic.

After that, we pedaled with new vigor toward our destination 60 miles east, in Marathon, TX.  Along the way, we had our PB&Js beside the road. Because the temperature got into the mid-80s as we rode, we were careful to consume lots of water and energy drink along the way.

When we arrived in Marathon, we stopped for coffee and a sweet roll at an adorable little shop where Jack and I had stopped with friends many years ago on our way to Big Bend National Park. Nothing about it had changed -- not even the employees! Just across the street was the sumptuous Gage Hotel. This luxurious venue makes up for the yucky places in Jacumba, Salome and Ft. Hancock, and the one coming up tomorrow night in Sanderson!

This is the same quaint coffee shop where we had stopped nearly a decade ago on a road trip to Big Bend.

Our elegant room at the Gage Hotel. Those are cowboy chaps on the wall above the bed. The red tile floors have rugs made of several animal hides.

As I rode down to the post office to mail our granddaughter a birthday card, I met an attractive couple going across country on a tandem bike. More about that in another blog!

Tonight's dinner on the grass, instead of in a parking lot, was a splendid spaghetti and marinara sauce (with tofu), salad and garlic bread. I did not have the yummy sundaes everyone else inhaled!

1,208 miles behind us. 1,892 miles to pedal. 36 days to go.

Dr. Jeter Day 22 on Polyvore.com