Day 20: Losing It

Ghost Bike Near Marfa Texas

This is the second ghost bike we have seen on the trip-- when we passed the first we were in a car being shuttled to breakfast so I could not get a picture.  A ghost bike is a memorial to a person who has been killed in a bicycle accident.  It is a reminder to us all that caution is warranted.

I started this day determined to be more positive in my outlook and more mindful of what a marvelous experience we are having and for the first 26 miles I was successful.  The desert is cool and serene in the morning and soon, riding through an area called Paisano Pass, it was beautiful as well.  We made good time to Alpine.  Our first Alpine was in California and was truly situated in high elevations.  Alpine, Texas must have been named to in an attempt to evoke feelings of coolth and beauty but the town has neither.  Having a university, however, the town was more alive looking than most we have been through and had several food options.  Unfortunately we were there long before lunch and food did not entice so I hurried on.  Sadly, my positive mental attitude drained away quickly with each passing mile as the scenery was worse than tedious, the road surface went bad and the winds were cranky and random.

Our ride was short, however, and before long we arrived in Marathon where we found a nice cafe and two waitresses generous with the lemonade pitcher and I thought I was reasonably calm.  I have not previously mentioned that John and I have been banished to the "snore section" and those who know me know also that John is not to blame.  I am hugely offended by this and feel like a pariah dog who has been kicked to the outskirts of the village in disdain.  I have tried to keep it in perspective, however, and succeeded until today when we came into camp and discovered that our tent had been erected in the "dog walk" area and that everywhere about the tent lay copious amounts of dog waste.  I went off like a firecracker, screaming at the staff, using the f word numerous times, hurling my helmet and gloves to the ground and rushing off into the desert to die.  John and our very nice massage man, Ken, finally found me half asleep on the ground and persuaded me to return to camp.  So Amanda, when you said that you and  Babs were following my blog with concern for my safety and sanity, you were right on the mark!