No WiFi in Fort Hancock tonight. Only 46 miles from El Paso, but headwind all day. Details tomorrow.

March 25: El Paso to Fort Hancock, TX

In our nightly map meeting, Carol told us this would be an easy day, and to be sure to stop and see the old missions along the way. Donna, my riding partner, and I agreed to be good tourists. (I thought it was nice to have a short easy day in honor of my birthday.)

Off we went on the Mission Trail.

Our first stop was the Ysleta Mission, reopened in 1851. The statues on the inside are covered since it is Lent.

Right around the corner was Speaking Rock Casino, run by the Tigua Indians.

We tried to stop at the Tigua Indiana Cultural Center, but alas it was closed. Did like this statue out front, as they have native dance performances other times during the week.

Next stop was the Socorro Mission. A nice couple noticed bikers looking around and opened it up for us.

Sadly we couldn’t get inside the San Elizario Mission, though it is a beautiful building.

We noticed a truck parked nearby and stopped to investigate. We met Roberto, the bootmaker. The shop was closed but he was working on a pair of shoes. We called him Mr. Condor, as the boot shop was called Condor Boots.

As we left the Mission Trail, we realized the wind, blowing straight in our faces. Stopped briefly to chat with a gentleman whose family does aluminum casting, which they ship all over the world.

Stopped in Fabens for a quick lunch, then on to Tornillo. Just east of Tornillo, my bicycle computer showed 1,000 miles, about 1/3 of the total tour.

Our route was now along the Texas Mountain Trail, a hint of things to come.

In case you don’t believe the wind, check the flag direction relative to my bike’s direction.

Finally arrived in Fort Hancock; no town sign so I took a photo of the local post office.

Angie’s Restaurant was recommended where we enjoyed delicious apple pie a la mode and met Street.

Street, a US Airways pilot, is married to a local woman whose family is in the cotton business. He was able to answer questions about the border fence (on and off in different areas nearby), and the unexplained bodies of water (retention lakes, holding water until needed by the farmers). Fields which we have seen all tilled will be planted with cotton by early April.

Linda prepared chicken tetrazzini as my requested birthday meal, and everyone sang Happy Birthday. Even the moon was full in my honor.

Roommate tonight was my riding partner Donna Toothman from Los Gatos, CA.

46 miles total, average 9.3 mph.