Del Rio, TX to Austin..the Road Ahead

I talked with Dee last night. She had arrived in Del Rio Texas which is right on the US/Mexican border directly due west of San Antonio, TX. They have ridden over the Pecos River and the Amistad Resovoir. She said the scenery has been beautiful but the head winds have been brutal. They leave camp early, around 6:30 am to get in as much riding as possible before the afternoon winds arise. Dee said head winds make it seem like you are climbing a grade even if you are on fairly level terrain. Yesterday was also the first rain they have encountered on the trip. I'm thinking rain and humidity will become more frequent companions now that the Gulf of Mexico becomes the dominant weather influence.

They are on their way to Austin which is about 5 days away and then another 5 days from Austin to the Louisana border. They have a layover day in Austin, their first in 9 days which is the longest they have gone without a layover day on the trip. Saddle sores have emerged as an issue with some riders but Dee says she has been doing ok in that department so far. There are a number of 60+ mile days in Dee's near future. While I was talking with Dee, I looked at the map on our kitchen wall and announced that they must be approaching the 1/2 way mark soon.

Dee said there will be a 1/2way party celebration soon. Yesterday, one of the riders had a birthday so they biked to a nearby bar to celebrate. Dee, is a rare and very light social drinker but I'm assuming the chosen birthday bar had no Chardonay as she had a beer and confided that it actually tasted pretty good. Clearly, the trip has not been in vain.

She has been sleeping out under the stars a lot lately, the only issue is unwanted visits from fire ants but so far it's worked out ok. I received a package of extra gear and some little gifts for Kali and Jamie, and one for Dee & me. I think she is finally down to only what she needs. I am reminded of the quote that "Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add but rather when there is nothing left to take away". I'm thinking she's pretty close to this. She had a flat tire, her 9th of the ride and I believe she holds the "most flats" distinction. Other than that her bike has been fine. Two riders had to get to a bike shop due to broken spokes and possibly the need for rebuilt wheels.

Dee said she has gotten pretty dark from the sun and that drinking water is a full time activity during the day and at night. She said she had two bottles of water to drink before bed just to try and keep up to what is being sweated out each day. Chapped lips are a constant problem due to the sun and wind. The only thing I can compare it to is climbing expeditions where you watch your body gradually waste away to a point where it finally stops.

Her spirits are great and she has been doing well. Her biking has been getting progessively stronger during the trip. The West Texas hill country is coming up and I think she'll do well.

I had shared with a dear friend a month ago that you would think that after being married to someone for 30 years, there would be a certain resevoir of "being ok with being part for a while", it seems reasonable to think this would be true but I have missed Dee each day she's been away. I think this is a good way to feel. I can't wait to see her in Florida and bring her home.

On the home-front, things are good. I spent Saturday with Kali,who along with her room mate, were extras like me at the Pgh. Airport movie shoot. I'm glad it's over but it was mostly fun. Much to my amazement, Jamie did a total house cleaning on Saturday - he cleaned the Kitchen, handled laundry and ran the sweeper so that was pretty sweet to come home to late Saturday night... and I didn't even ask him to do it! For three days, he was the classic Latch Key kid...I was gone when he woke up, gone when he got home from school, gone at dinner time as well. He did just fine with out me....I pictured him as a feral skateboard child living on slurpees and end-of-the-day hotdogs at the nearby 7-11. This vision was actually pretty close to the truth. Jamie is excited as we have 2 river festival weekends in a row coming up. Take care folks, Best Regards, Robbie