Marathon, population 455, is the "Gateway to Big Bend National Park." In the 1920's it served as a railroad shipping point for livestock and silver and mercury from mines in the south. Marathon also is the only US factory for natural rubber made from the desert plant guayule. Someone said that it got it's name because it reminded someone of Greece. I think person was hallucinating.
We are staying at the Gage Hotel and it is truly an oasis in the high desert (4,000 ft.). It is like a luxury hotel and beautifully decorated. See my new friend (above photo) It will be hard to leave in the morning. By the way, because of the elevation it has been very cold in the mornings and very windy in the afternoons. We had gusts up to 30 miles again, then it tapered off, but the winds seem to come from every direction. Sometimes it comes from the North, other times from the East, or then again from the West, and sometimes from the South. March is a windy month here is Texas.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
Fort Davis -Rest Day
I spent a couple of hours in the town of Fort Davis, population 1,050, elevation 5,000 ft. Fort Davis was named after Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. The garrison was established in 1854 to protect the Overland Trail between St. Louis and California.
For you astronomers, the McDonald Observatory is a few miles from Fort Davis. The Observatory's jewel is the 432 inch Hobby-Eberly Telescope, one of the world's largest.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
Van Horn to Ft. Davis, TX - 90 miles
Everyone agreed that today was the toughest day so far because of the climbing and some 10% grades. Many confessed they had to walk up parts of it because it was so steep.
We stayed at the Indian Lodge, a nice retreat in the mile-high mountain slopes of West Texas. It was built in the 1930's and modeled after southwestern Indian pueblos and has adobe walls more than 18 inches thick.
We are staying at the Gage Hotel and it is truly an oasis in the high desert (4,000 ft.). It is like a luxury hotel and beautifully decorated. See my new friend (above photo) It will be hard to leave in the morning. By the way, because of the elevation it has been very cold in the mornings and very windy in the afternoons. We had gusts up to 30 miles again, then it tapered off, but the winds seem to come from every direction. Sometimes it comes from the North, other times from the East, or then again from the West, and sometimes from the South. March is a windy month here is Texas.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
Fort Davis -Rest Day
I spent a couple of hours in the town of Fort Davis, population 1,050, elevation 5,000 ft. Fort Davis was named after Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. The garrison was established in 1854 to protect the Overland Trail between St. Louis and California.
For you astronomers, the McDonald Observatory is a few miles from Fort Davis. The Observatory's jewel is the 432 inch Hobby-Eberly Telescope, one of the world's largest.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26
Van Horn to Ft. Davis, TX - 90 miles
Everyone agreed that today was the toughest day so far because of the climbing and some 10% grades. Many confessed they had to walk up parts of it because it was so steep.
We stayed at the Indian Lodge, a nice retreat in the mile-high mountain slopes of West Texas. It was built in the 1930's and modeled after southwestern Indian pueblos and has adobe walls more than 18 inches thick.
1 comment:
Sounds like you are learning a lot about the history of the U.S. along the way - you'll all be experts by the time you get to Florida! What is a typical day like for you - how many hours do you usually ride, how often are you able to take breaks, check out local points of interest, etc.? We're all thinking of you!
Sharon E.
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