Marathon TX

 Only 57 miles today but the middle of it was a dispiriting grind uphill into a strengthening headwind. The strong east wind we had all day in Marfa yesterday diminished overnight, and the morning was very cold and calm. 

Here's the Marfa lights viewing area 9 miles out of town. 

They obviously take this mysterious and intermittent phenomena seriously.

 Late start with the chill, and them a stop in Alpine after 25 miles for hot cocoa and early bite of lunch. But the next 20 miles was a long gradual uphill, the headwind making 9mph hard earned. Had to stop in the middle to eat and drink, the wind dessicating my skin. 

But then it was a slight downhill the next ten miles into Marathon, still against the wind. Not too bad an RV park, tenting on grass. And they have telescopes, taking advantage of dark skies out here in the Chihuahuan desert. Low mileage but long tiring day. And we get to do a similar ride tomorrow apparently. Quick shower, lathered my lizard skin with lotion, and then prepped dinner, this time with Mark who found a Mac and cheese recipe online. Never tried cooking the pasta in milk before but that's what this one pot meal called for. Couldn't tell how long it would take under our somewhat primitive cooking conditions, but after half an hour it seemed done. Only problem was it took 10 minutes before folks gathered to eat it, so it got a little dry but still was seemed a success. Hungry bikers easy to please. Triple chocolate cake for dessert topped off another pretty good meal. Pain to clean up the Mac pot, but worth it.

Another cold dark morning tomorrow. Folks didn't seem in a hurry this morning so a lot of standing around in store for Mark and me while we put out and then pack up breakfast stuff before we can ride out.