The Journal. Los Angeles to Daytona...

Day 7 – I heard it on the X – Alpine to Del Rio

I forgot to mention yesterday that as result of arriving in Alpine we crossed into Texas, a state that is as big as France I am told

We awoke to a better morning than the evening we left but still wet, a continuation of the weather system that came in yesterday, not an issue; we donned the wets, packed the bikes and started our engines.  Despite the overcast skies it was a great deal warmer, positively almost summer temperatures.

The roads I am loving. These ‘back roads’ are far more interesting than the interstate highways. We set off on the 90, with the objective of getting to Del Rio for the evening. The 90 is glorious, arrow straight in parts, well almost all of it with occasional sweeping bend, rising and falling we headed to our next stop, Sanderson which sits on a fork with the 285 that if taken North will lead you to the I10.

Here we fuelled and met up with the group of riders that had left earlier than us, they were having coffee and sheltering from the showers, showers that we mostly avoided. Staying here for a while for refreshments, we soon attract the attention of local arrivals and passionately, folk engage with us, wanting to know where we are from where we are going and of course the bikes. It’s not just fellow bikers who chat but casual passers by, locals old a young. I could spend all day listening to their stories, their interests, but the road calls.

Many canyons, creeks and mines as well as the railroad were pleasant distractions and broke up the monotony of the straight roads. Just into Pecos County

there is the river bridge which is 250 feet above the river crossing a steep sided canyon. The current bridge was built in 1957, after previous bridges, the lowest being only 50 feet was washed away and was originally built as a river crossing in the 19th century. If you have the time to stop, do, whilst it does appear as another bridge it is worth the time for the views. Most people stop at the bottom as it is immediately off the highway, but carry on another half mile up the road and there is a turn off on the right, this will take you up to a higher viewing platform/picnic site. Somewhat abandoned and disheveled, a consequence of the more convenient road spot below, the view there is far more impressive

With occasional sun showers blighting our way and the numerous eighteen-wheelers washing us with buckets of road spray, we pushed onto Del Rio.

Not too long we saw the signs of conurbation as the large stores of Walmart and the numerous familiar food chains begin to adorn the roadside.  I suspect a sign of more things to come as we head further east to more populous locations.  This was a relatively short day at only 220 miles but none the less equally enjoyable as the previous days. The weather is the weather, be prepared for what it has for you and you can settle in more for the ride and the experience.


Laner
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