Van Horn TX

 Yes, that same Van Horn from where William Shattner got launched on New Shepherd this morning. We were 70 miles away with a mountain in between so just saw the contrail.

Today was 75 comfortable miles, at least compared to yesterday. Gentle south wind, some bumpy roads, then Interstate and frontage road, climbing 2000 ft midday and then descending 500 ft end of day rolling into Van Horn. Dry, dusty west Texas. RV park is wide open, no shade, breeze picking up and a few goathead thorns and annoying prickly burrs. Having a beer after shower, waiting on group laundry, a few minutes until  appetizers. Then I'll set up tent on best remaining spot. Central time this far west means sun is still way up.

Had an interesting encounter at lunch stop at convenience store in Sierra Blanca. Guy asks if we're biking to Florida, start talking and next thing I know we're talking civil war history for half an hour. Melvin originally from Florida, drove trucks, retired here and loves it. Lives 25 miles away up in the mountains, just came into town for supplies. And someone new to talk to apparently. He's never been to Antietam but his brother in law has and says it's his favorite battlefield. Me too. Check out his truck:

Took this photo this morning at the church we stayed in; as opposed to yesterday could actually see the mountains over the cotton field:

And this roadside shrine along the Interstate:

And appropriately enough, when moving my bike to lock it up for the night I realized my rear tire was flat. Couldn't see anything poking through it on the outside, but once I took it off the rim: the deadly thin wire from a shredded car or truck tire was poking all the way through. Likely picked up on the Interstate? Easy fix to swap in a new tube (one of the "selfsealing"ones I bought in Silver City). Tomorrow is Marfa and a rest day, so will patch or replace then. A lot easier to fix flat in campsite the on road, so grateful for small mercies.