We left DelRio yesterday and camped on Hwy 90. Here is the updates so far...I have to go again...one of these days I will have a minute...

Well we are in Amistad Recreation area outside Del Rio TX and we are

able to have internet for a little while so I will get you all caught

up.

March 31 6 hrs riding and 48 miles today. - . We had an early start

this AM and I didn't sleep well at all last night since the KOA

campground , where I left off last, was by a very busy road and the

traffic till 1 AM was horrible. We stopped in Hunt TX just up the road

from the KOA and went to the gerat little cafe/store/post

office/bank/restaurant. The owner said if you stand in the middle of the

store you are in the middle of Hunt TX. As I got off my bike out front

two motor cycle bikers were watching me. One called out ," those are

really great 20 year old legs." I turned and smiled and said " thnak you

! " . Then I took off my helmet...their jaws dropped and I laughed. They

were so funny and very sweet. They couldn't get over the grey hair or

what we are doing.

Inside the cafe I had a breakfast burrito and salsa . . That was an

after breakfast snack as I had oatmeal and a banana and the last piece

of apple cake that was left from the Deutche House the other day, and a

blueberry yogurt. We then rode up the road to see the Stonehenge that a

fellow built here in the 90's. It is very cool. We then went back to the

store and we had lunch....do NOT tell me we eat all the time....I know

this. I had a large chicken salad sandwich with a small spicy potato

salad . I only ate 1/2 of the sandwich. Saved the rest for later.

We have 40 miles to ride with no services so I have a gallon of water in

litre bottles in my paqck. We rode for 20 miles on Hwy 39 then turned

onto 187 to get to the Sabinal River for Lost Maples campground . This

area is fantastic. The wilderness is so beautiful and ther rock

formations are white and rugged and wild. We see deer everywhere.

The ride here was hot and windy and again hilly. 3-5 mph up hills and 25

mph down, repeat over and over for 40 miles. Arrived at Lost Maples at

4:30 PM. I set up my tent and then immediately rode out on the East

trail to find the pools in the river that are deep enough to swim in. I

was all alone in this wild area. I stripped and swam in the chilly water

with the setting sun making shadows on the rocks and water. I have great

pics...none of me though :)

There is no cell service here . There are supposed to be 30 mph winds

tomorrow so there is some worry about the ride. We'll see. I ate my 1/2

sandwich as a snack earlier and a pint of OJ and a pint of chocolate

milk. Then I had my oatmeal cookies that I was saving for a snack. For

dinner I had a Far East cous cous dinner and added a pack of tuna to

that and finished my strawberries dipped in melted Dove chocolate. Slept

pretty well considering the wind.

Thurs April1 - April Fools Day--- Started the day with the most

wonderful and sweet note from Madeline. Thank you for being the most

special daughter in the world. I also had a really specail message from

Collin telling me their news and how proud they are of me. I love my

kids. The wind is not too bad and it is very misty and cool. Gretchen

decided to stay back and wait and the rest of us went on down the

mountain. We have 3 very tough climbs to do. We stop in Vanderpool for

coffee and 1/2 of a homemade sweet roll. The store here has African

Nightcrawlers for sale . I purchased 6 of them and ate them to fortify

me for the HILLS ! I also sang the worm song for the store owner.

OK it is 9:35 and I just completed the 1st hill. This is the toughest of

the 3 since it is straight up for the most part. This area is where

Lance Armstrong and the Olympic cyclists come to train. I was going 2-3

mph up the whole climb. It had a few large curves. There is a haedwind

and the asphalt is bumpy. Here is a good time to tell you that if the

pavement is bumpy the drag on the bike and trailer is as much as 2 mph

slower speed....very tough.

All the way up the climb I sang choruses of the worm song ..over and

over...I just pedal and let my haed go somewhere else. The view was

completely obscured since I had my sunglasses on and the fogged over

almost immediately. All I could see was the white line at the side of my

lane.

When I reached the picnic shelter at the top I took pics of the

beautiful purple mountain laurel and waited on Pete and Kim. I never

have to do that hill again....there is a cell phone tower here too so I

checked and there is a message also from Robert...I love my family so

much. They are ALL with me every mile I ride. Jim and John are here on

this wind swept hill. I find I think of them often and I share my

thoughts with them all the time.

Maddie is off to St Simon Island and I am off to do the next 2 hills.

They are both switchbacks so they will be hard but doable. I also put

away the sunglasses. Now I can see. This is Ranch Road 337 now. 10:58

once more fueled by the worm song I am able to complete another climb. .

Kim and I wait on Pete. We took pics of each other that show we are

entering Real County and 12 MILES of steep grades and climbs.

We arrived in Leaky Tx. now. We ROCK. 2 hrs and 30 min of riding time

and we have one more climb. The beautiful Frio River is in Leaky. I got

great pics. The first 19 miles was at an avg 8 mph...not too shabby. I

left Leaky alone as Kim stayed to help Pete with his cont. brake

problem. I finished the last switch back pass at 1:50. !!! Lost of

rollers after but doable. Crossed the Campwood Creek into town at 3:20

PM. Bought a pint of OJ and a Neopolitan ice cream sandwich. I was down

to 2.5 mph on some of the climb...I forgot to clean and grease my

chain....will never forget again. The downs were 30 mph. I had one scary

incident on the last down...brown pickup came around the curve and

veered into my lane...he hit the brakes and swerved and burned

rubber...I thought it was going to be all over...not my time yet.

We camped on the Nuches River tonight. Fabulous place. They have a dam

here and I sat and had a cold beer and watched the sunset and thought

about how well the day went and how much I have accomplised...I am glad

to be here...

We went to the grocery store and got a can of Wolf brand chili and I

fixed salad for everyone. We also had canned peaches. Another Dover

chocolate too. There are sayings in the wrappers...

1) Dance to the music even if it is only in your head.

2) When you can't control the wind, correct your sail.

Both really applied today.

Good Friday_ April2

Rode 15 miles to only turn, Farm Rd 334. All down hill. Felt gerat. Very

cool and misting. Avg 13 mph . WOW, Given the day we had yesterday I

feel really well. We then turned and the sun came out and we got the

headwind. Still bumpy pavement. Beautiful scenery and we took pics along

the way. Lots of wild phlox and the scent was wonderful. I stopped the

last 10 miles and greased my chain and it made all the difference,. I am

going to have to do better with maintenance. The last 11 miles was all

scrub and not very pretty at all.

We arrived at Fort Clark to camp. This is a former fort that was

purchased and is now a 27,000 acre private development. We have old

showers only but it is so hot they feel great. Kim and I rode into town

and washede clothes and bought groceries. I fixed a nice light supper of

yogurt and fruit and bagel adnm pbj. Also cinnamon pecans and a mangoe

We talked with 5 cyclist and got the news on the upcoming mountain

passes and other things.

Holy Saturday...April 3- Had coffee at theLittle Chicken shack outside

the fort and left town headed for Bracketville. Boring flat area all the

way. No services so carried water for the 48 miles. It was flat and fast

for the most part . We are haeded to DelRio TX. on Hwy 90. Started the

day with a bunch of fresh strawberries in my oatmeal...very yum ! We saw

a crested caracara on the way and a dead wild baor....Pete offered to

get the tusks for me ...no thanks. Saw lots of Border patrol cars again

today...didn't mention that yesterday. There is a dirt road and a high

fence and they drive along and look for evidence of people crossing...no

comment at this time. sad sad though.

Stopped when we got to town and had a Naked juice and a pina colada

frozen bar. We wnt to the bike shop and walmart. Are camping 7 miles

west of town in a great campground. Have to go now !! More later....c