Why are two crazy ladies riding across the United States?

Seven years ago while I was huffing and puffing to keep up with Ruth's running pace, she asked me if I would run across the USA with her.



You are crazy!" I gasped. "but I will cycle across the states with you."



We started planning the trip that day. We ordered the transcontinental maps from Adventure Cycling Association. Then Ruth's husband got a job in Evian, France, and we put our plans on hold.



Throughout the last seven years, we continued to discuss our trip. Then this last Fall, Bill and Ruth returned to Cincinnati. We looked at our maps again,checked into various cycling groups that are crossing the states this year, and kept pedaling on the back roads of southwestern Ohio.



As we learned the prices and the dates of the organized trips, we realized those trips would not work for us. We finally decided that a spring trip would work, and we decided on the Southern Tier Route. The maps route us through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and then to our final designation - St. Augustine, Florida.

Throughout the trip we will stay in motels and bed&breakfasts and travel as lightly as possible. We plan to average eighty miles per day, take three rest days, and reach our destination on May 1st.



Our husbands are traveling with us the first two weeks. They will carry our gear for us and will be playing golf or attending spring training baseball games while we are cycling. Hurray for our very supportive husbands!



We will try to update the blog every day. Some nights we may be so tired that the only words we will be able to type are: "We made it!" We may be in a motel without a computer or cell coverage.



We will miss our family and friends along the trip. As St. Patrick's Day is approaching we think of this Irish Blessing:



May the road rise to meet you,



May the wind be always at your back,



May the sun shine warm upon your face,



The rains fall soft upon your fields and



Until we meet again,



May God hold you in the palm of his hand.



To All: Please Take Care! Love, Mary Jo and Ruth



Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Day 17, Sanderson to Comstock, 90 miles

Although the day was long and hilly, we feel much better than yesterday. There was no significant headwinds and it was overcast.
Don and Bill left us this morning but when we entered the first town this morning there was water waiting for us by the town's welcome sign.
We continued on route 90 and ate our lunch in Langtry, population 17. Langtry was the home of Judge Roy Bean.
Before entering Comstock, we crossed Pecos River and was able to see the Pecos River empty into the Rio Grande River. Again we are seeing many border patrol cars.
Tomorrow we continue on route 90 through Del Rio to Bracketville.

The name Texas comes from the Hasini Indian word "tejas" meaning friends. (Texas trivia tidbit courtesy of Elaine Schneider of Dallas)
Las Tres Amigas



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4 comments:

  1. Mary Jo and RuthApril 6, 2010 at 7:24 PM

    I enjoyed having you here at the Comstock Motel. Thank you for the smiles and keeping me busy. Good luck to all of you and God Bless. Be safe and enjoy the beautiful wildflowers.
    Elaine

    ReplyDelete
  2. John B.April 6, 2010 at 11:45 PM

    Remember all those American hero stories from way back when?
    Sounds like you are smack in the middle of this one:

    Now, Pecos Bill had a way with wimmen. No doubt. He had dozens of wives during his time. But his one true love was Slue-foot Sue. She was his first wife - and she could ride almost as good as Bill himself. Bill first saw Slue-foot Sue ridin' a catfish down the Rio Grande.

    http://www.americanfolklore.net/pecosbill.html

    So watch out for Pecos Bill now that the husbands have all gone away. What a sweet gesture the water drop was!

    ReplyDelete
  3. MaxannaApril 7, 2010 at 9:40 AM

    Now Don and I are probably one of your few devoted readers who've actually been to Del Rio- and can appreciate it's under rated beauty and interest. That is where Brandy began her adventure in flying for the Air Force!
    Can't wait to read more! And of course I'll worry a bit now that the "boys" have returned to Cincy....

    ReplyDelete
  4. RaviApril 7, 2010 at 3:18 PM

    Texas! Don't forget to fill up on breakfast tacos!

    ReplyDelete

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