Seminole Creek State Park, TX

 Worst day yet. 80 miles. Strong headwind from midmorning on, 20mph with gusts up to 35. No fun.

But day started great, biking back into town at 7am for breakfast at Baptist Church put on by Beth Ann's friends, who had brought spaghetti supper to us last night.

Out into early morning just after dawn, no headwind at first, until suddenly clicked on around mile 15. At 30 miles out Beth Ann provided a water stop, snacked up, back at it. Rolling terrain, blooming sage brush, would be lovely without the wind. The road cuts into hills seemed to magnify the wind, funneling it at us. No momentum, had to pedal constantly, no coasting. Everything started hurting, even feeling strain in knees. Shoulders cramping from having to steer into gusts, neck tightening up from stress of the ride, rough graveled shoulders meaning trying to ride on the smoother surface of the road but keeping eye out for passing trucks blasting by.

Break for lunch out of wind at 2:30, still another 20 to go, difficult to do 10mph. Hills and highway cuts and wind. Crossed the Pecos River and finally got to the state park, where we camped at the highest point, 360 degree view, and wind kept blowing all night long.

After taking fast shower I chatted with Henry, the owner of the TDA cycling company whose group was camped nearby. TDA stands for Tour d'Afrique: Cairo to Capetown, which was the first tour he organized in 2002, after a career as an engineer in Africa. This current trip is their first along the southern tier -- he likes to ride, not as the leader but as a regular participant. His goal was to enable people to cross continents on bikes, letting participants choose how much and when they rode, to open up the experience to as many possible -- if you have the money. Their catered Southern tier cost 15,OOO compared to our 6,500. Henry, originally from Czechoslovakia but now based on Ontario, was very pleasant to talk to. He noted that the group planned to not bike to Del Rio but to to take their van, given the forecast for continued wind. 

Spectacular sunset and moon rise (almost full), blustery night. No wifi, no connectivity, so writing this the next day.