Texas... the start of the BIG crossing!

Today, (Tuesday, May 6) is our down day and we're in Apalachicola, Florida giving ourselves a well deserved break.  Later, we're going out for a ride on the beach and to check out the town.  For now, I'm catching up on laundry and writing.  So here's our update on Texas.

LAS CRUCES

On Monday, April 29, we stayed in Las Cruces, NM was uneventful.  We pulled into town and immediately stopped at the Barnett's HD to get on oil change on my bike.  Nice dealership and huge with great bargains however we left with a cargo net and an oil change - not very exciting.  

Dinner was at High Desert Brewery a local microbrewery that brews beer just for the restaurant - it was a happening place full of students, locals and a few travelers.  Las Cruces was exciting though, cause I hit 10,000 miles on my bike, a huge milestone for me.  

TEXAS.... THE START OF THE BIG RIDE

Early in the morning we headed out, excited because our final stop for the day was Marathon, Texas and the Gage Hotel who advertises, Prickly Pear Margaritas.  So I know the end of my day will be tasty.

We cruised through El Paso in crazy traffic.  We found it surreal, with bustling El Paso to the left of the freeway, complete with strip malls, WallMarts, a college and lots of financial high rise buildings.  To the right of the freeway is Juarez, Mexico a complete contrast.  What we saw was dilapidated houses that are made from trailers, corrugated steel, shipping containers, wood and maybe even cardboard.  There are a few houses that look like regular houses but from my viewpoint, not many.  I couldn't take a picture, so here's one from the internet to give you an idea.  There are a few businesses, perhaps a restaurant or gas station but not much else.  

After El Paso we took a break near Fort Hancock, and found a chile store and Angies, the home of Chicken Fried Steak.  For those that may not know this...Randy LOVES chicken fried steak and he eats it often on the road.  Send pictures to his road buddies!  It's a long running joke.  Randy visited with the owner, who said that her grandmother invented it - nice to think we found the place it was invented!

We'd already had breakfast and it was too early for lunch so perhaps we'll ride back through Fort Hancock just to eat at Angies.   

The other thing that I think is cool is this sign - they are all over Texas.  Thanks Texas for looking out for bikers --- SHARE THE ROAD!

We wind our way through lots of small towns, mostly abandoned and find ourselves in Marfa while we're cruising through, we make a u-turn to tour the town because an old building caught our eye.  

This is the County Building built in the late 1800's - Marfa was founded in 1880.  Old historic buildings, beautiful architecture and a town that is alive and well.  The Palace Theater was the place for films and now an artist uses it as his studio. 

 We also find an historic hotel, called Hotel Paisano  and it was the home to the stars who filmed "Giant" in the 1950's.  It's still used and is beautiful.

After so many abandoned towns, this is a wonderful surprise. Marfa even has a Prada!  I didn't take this photo, but saw this on the way out of town. Prada Marfa is a permanently installed sculpture by artists Elmgreen and Dragset.  Cool!

In Alpine, Texas ready for lunch and excited because we're going to visit Big Bend Brewery to eat.  What we find though is better than food!  I'm going to post a separate blog about the Brewery - it was remarkable and so good that we're thinking of moving to Alpine and work for Big Bend!  (just kidding, Linda & Peggy ...our moms) 

next stop...MARATHON, TEXAS & THE GAGE HOTEL

This is the oasis we've been waiting to see.  The Gage Hotel is a historic hotel that has been restored and is beautiful.  Everything is desert, Texan and comfortable chic rustic. It's a surprise in a town of only 500 people but it's at the gateway to Big Bend National Park the largest national park in the continental US.  

We head right to the White Buffalo Bar for my long awaited Prickly Pear Margarita - truly the best margarita that I've ever had! (besides my own, of course)  We learn that it's made from Prickly Pear Puree that you have to order out of California from a company called Perfect Puree.   It arrives frozen and on dry ice.  The company also makes lots of other fruit flavors like blood orange, passion fruit, and the basics like strawberry and apple.  I wish we could find this in Utah and I'm going to see if I can get Harmons to get it for me.  If I do ....Prickly Pear Margaritas (both alcoholic and non) at my house!

We meet a few Harley boys from Texas and from the Netherlands and have lots of great conversation about rides and Texas.  I convince all the boys to order the "pink" drink and they're surprised to enjoy a girly looking beverage. This is one of the best parts about riding Harleys, the people you meet on the road.  Good times and making new friends. 

We have dinner at the bar - it's the only restaurant in town that is open. While there, we're disappointed to learn that Big Bend National Park is still 75 miles away and we can't make it to the Park and to San Antonio in one day.  We haven't figured our mileage too well and Texas is a huge state!  Too many miles and not enough hours in the day.  Disappointing at best but perhaps on the way back will cruise to the Gage Hotel again and take time to see Big Bend...the reason we went that way!

Next stop... Riverwalk, San Antonio!