Sunday Morning Mass in Clint, Tx. Really nice day Spoke with a really nice family about riding bikes.

Coming out of Clint 30miles of Pecans and Cotton lots of farming along the Rio Grand.

Really good riding along hwy 20 Alemeda road. Following the Rio Grande River valley.

Plain view Fishing lakes right off Hwy 20 about a mile from the border. very nice night.

Great group of Bikers - invited right over to their BBQ. Tivo next to me and I had a great conversation. He was born near Modesto not far from Sacramento where I am from.

These fellows are a great group. Learned neat stuff from all of them. Tivo’s history of his family in Mexico his grandparents were a German woman and her Yaqi Indian grandfather. No Spanish in their background. His father came to California, when Pancho Villa solders came through their village and wanted  the grandfathers mules – His grandfather said take my 14 yr old son instead – Tivo’s father heard that and took off ending  up near Modesto, Ca.

Like I said the people along the way have all been great and this group is no exception.  Good luck on the “Bag of Bugs” idea.

Thanks again GrimLords.

Tuesday morning frost on the trike- yes it was cold

PantherTracks Cafe in Animas - just a coke no plugins in the dining room. Nice High school and grain silos, started hearing and seeing the sandhill cranes flying above

Nice big school buildings, High school and Elementary, the houses must be all out in the country side.

This is why Hwy 80 and now Hwy 9 are so good. I have been seeing the old rail road bed since Douglas. Keeps the grades nice.

and that’s why the old smelting plant is in El Paso right on the border where the rail line goes today.

then again its just lots of road.

Reminds me of duck hunting with my son, John - we would look for anywhere ducks would hit the water and there are some way out there. That could be Star waiting for us to hit one

There are some Pin Tail ducks out there – Charlie and I watched John wake up from napping in the blind and knock down a duck(with a 20ga) that Charlie and I had already unloaded both our 12 ga. shotguns at a missed. John has it mounted in his house last time I was there.

Big tree near the old windmill well

Like I said lots of time to think, remember and anything that breaks the samo is note worthy.

Monday Morning Yep good place. Officer Rodriguez had this 5 mile section of road so I could sleep safe. a little cold last night.

These Horses picked up and raced me to the end of their pasture -- they won

It is pretty sparse population out here and then again it is not empty.

What is pulling persons into a 10 day walk through this with freezing temps at night The Good and the Bad people.

all the shrubs has mesquite thorns, then there is cactus and your traveling at night with no lights. My perspective is changing by actually being here, sleeping here and speaking with folks who live and work here. Something to be expected when most of time we get the sound bite from some reporter who drives around in his 4 wheel vehicle or rides along with the border patrol.

Geronimo surrendered here. Spoke wth a Border agent who came down from Boston, Ma. What a difference, He bought a house in Wilcox

Again my thoughts are spurred. Once read about Al Siliber (sic) civilian chief of Indian Scouts for the Army for 22 years during that period and was at the surrender. The Indian war with the Apache lasted 30 years and the US did not have a decisive win. Was able to hike up to Turrent peak North of Phoenix, an Apache hiding area for 25years before it was found. Even visited Al’s grave in Globe, AZ where his head stone pays tribute to his Chief of Indian Scout career.

Just as interesting was a conversation with the agent on watch. Asked him what would make him try to cross this area to get into the US. He said he could not come up with an answer to that. He did say the most of the people coming are hauling drugs and the Money Americans pay them is what brings them.  The other coming for family and work are brought out by the coyote recruiters in Mexico who are selling guide service for the 1 day walk to America to be with family and/or find good jobs to support their folks at home. They get a gallon of water bottle and are pointed North. It’s at least a 10 day trip on foot.

I am beginning to think the border immigration issue is the symptom of the problem not the problem.

Who knew - Hwy 80 through Rodeo, NM was the main route from El Paso to Phoenix way back when. Great Cinnamon Roll and coffee

and tomorrow we find out why this road is so good to ride a bicycle or Trike on.

Yea the First state crossing - plan in a few months to cross again to see John and Shay and the Grandchildred

Good place to stop 32 miles and not completly done in catching up on my picture titlesGood place to stop 32 miles and not completly done in catching up on my picture titles

Another good day of riding friendly folks and courteous drivers.

SundayMorning Mass in Douglas Father Gilbert is 17 years from Congo, Africa. He made coffee for me after mass.

Thank you Father Gilbert. He has been the priest here for 10yrs, and knew Fr. Marcos from St. Andrews before he was ordained.

On the way out of Douglas feeling prettyj good. end up with a 25 mile day

weather moving in still kept a little over shoulder breeze to help on the up hills.

Some of these pictures are a little blurry – probable because that’s what I am seeing with out my glasses on.

There were some ups and down - this fellow likes his solitude

Figured out the Border patrol drags these along the fence line to smooth out the tracks

I have been seeing these chained together tires with a hook on them. I wonder if the government is using already damaged tires or bought new ones for this.  They are the same ones you see on their patrol pickups.

The border Patrol drive very slowly along the dirt road looking for tracks of people crossing the road.

Looks like a good place to camp - besides I can not go another mile

Officer Rodriguez stopped to check on me. He will be patrolling this 5 mile section of road for the night and will keep an eye on me. He has lots of others out in the fields with spotting technology as well as drones flying over head.

I ponder what drives individuals to come over this way it is very very difficult.

A couple of workers rebuilding the chapel at the shrine came by about 7am and woke me up. Slept really soundly until then.

On the road to Douglas Bob and Bill came this way in one of the stories remember Michael and Anthony and Raven

The day started out cool and fast going down to the San Pedro River. Of course it was then up, and with a tail wind.

Saturday Morning bike rides out of Sierra Vista they are on the return leg

This section of Hwy 90 is great for bike riding, wide smooth shoulders and low traffic.

down hill and tail wind into Douglas 45 mile day

Came in Douglas just at dusk. I found St. Luke’s church and called the Father Gilbert, he gave permission to camp out on the front sidewalk.

End of great long day. Really a difference after how beat up I felt the day before. The Healing Mass got the process going.

Morning Mass in a beautiful new church, followed by a healing service - I am sure I needed it.

I guess the healing service started the process.

I sat in the Arby’s for hours blogging and charging up.  Late afternoon started out for Our Lady of the Sierra Shrine only 15 miles away.It was up hill and slight head wind. Good highway out, it was after dark before made the turn off for the Shrine and I picked the wrong road. Took the dirt/sand track down the ravine before the pull up the 4 wheel drive section only 2 miles, and it was all I could do. When arrived at the shrine at 7:15pm there was a sign at the gate that said 7:30pm service is moved to somewhere else. Oh Man!! I walked up to the breathtaking cross and statue, particularly at night after a difficult climb, said a prayer. Came down, pitched the tent in the handicap parking and went to sleep.

SunSet out of Serria Vista Still riding into dark

The Shrine of Mary of the Sierrias - Long cold climb, with pull up dirt road - worth it

The neighborhood around the shrine was burnt in the forest fire last summer.