Del Rio, TX to Some-Where-In-New Mexico
Another weekend over, another Monday begun. And while most of us went about dragging ourselves out of bed this morning to start yet another work week, our friends Scotty and Steve find themselves in a place where time ceases to matter... A place where it doesn't make any difference that it's Monday... They're riding in the open air somewhere between Texas and New Mexico, and according to Scotty, they're finding excellent roads, seeing indigenous animals, and meeting intriguing people. If you ride a motorcycle, that's livin'.
I only had about 5 minutes to catch up with Overtime this evening (Monday, 5/5) while he and Rigid were topping off their tanks and headed North into the New Mexico hills. He did say he would get an update to us as soon as they're able, but I say we'll get it when we get it.
However, he also said enough for me to provide a brief report, so here goes...
Yesterday, Overtime and Rigid broke camp at Del Rio and made a run up the Rio Grande toward the New Mexico line. I mentioned that Scotty and I only had about 5 minutes on the phone, well he spent about 3 and a half of those minutes talking about the incredible run up the Rio Grande. He raved about how great a ride it was, easily the best they've had so far. The roads, the views, great weather... Perfect.
They made their way to just South of El Paso, TX and once again set up camp. Though on this night they would meet two back-packers camping near by, and the boys hit it off with the couple. If I remember correctly, Scotty mentioned their names were Janet and John; Though don't quote me... I never even had an opportunity to take notes, but I know I'm close. Regardless, the four of them had dinner together, and Scotty told me he had one of the best venison steaks he's ever eaten. But what would really make this night stand out were the OTHER neighboring campers... No, not people, but feral pigs! According to Scotty, he and Rigid were sitting in camp just talking when out of nowhere, these little swine, what Scotty estimated were about 55 lbs, just meandered on through the camp as if Scotty and Steve weren't even there.
This morning the two got up to break camp and further discussed the evening's event with the back-packers. Though it appears they've had a visitor also... In the form of a skunk! Apparently a friendly skunk, at that! One who's not sprayed anyone and in fact is a known resident of the campground they were in. So friendly actually, the skunk made his way into Janet's tent, while Janet was IN the tent, and left without incident! Turns out, the visitor, dubbed "Pepe le Pew", has been hangin' around campers of the park for almost 3 years, and not one of them have ever reported being sprayed... That's a friendly skunk!
Eventually the bikers and the campers would say their goodbye's and go their separate ways... Rigid and Overtime continued North into New Mexico headed in the general direction of Albuquerque, but no destination was named. It seems the only other adventure of the day was Rigid racing a road-runner... And I'm not talking about a Plymouth Road-Runner, I'm talking about a real live road-runner! However, the outcome of the race is yet unknown according to Overtime.
To end, I say enjoy the ride... Relish the place where high-speed Internet and cell towers don't exist... Camp under the stars and listen to the silence... Live the life that Hollywood can seemingly only imagine. We'd all like to be there... To experience that which we do not know.
As for the update, we'll get it when we get it.
(No animals pictured in this blog were harmed... Nor were their pictures shot by either of our boy's cameras...)
!!UPDATE!!
Got an email from Rigid about an hour ago... Here's the update promised earlier in the post!
"This is being written on Monday May 5 by lantern light in The City of Rocks State Park, about 20 miles south of Silver City, NM.
Bid farewell to Bull and Chuck and headed north, Picked up a one gallon gas can just in case. Fit perfectly in the saddlebag, and doesn’t leak.
Stopped at Langtry TX to see the Museum of one of my favorite western characters, the larger than life Judge Roy Bean – “The Only Law West of The Pecos”.
It’s hard to imagine what type of Jurisdiction he had, as there is not very much there now other than his saloon, uh Courtroom and a gift shop selling a lot of crap made in China.
Ran up the road to the Big Bend National Park.
I don’t know what you have read or heard, but nothing can prepare one for the shear majesty of the place.
The ride to our campsite at the Chosis Basin was unbelievably beautiful – through many canyons and switchback roads.
Upon arrival, we met a really nice couple, a brother and sister on reunion camping trip.
Janet is from the greater Atlanta area, and Jerry is from east TX.
They had just finished a grueling overnight hike to the peak of a mountain visible from our camp.
A bout that time, a small herd of Javelina came wandering through the camp, completely oblivious to the humans present.
Janet had just finished telling us about the local camp skunk, Pepe, who climbed into her tent a few days prior. He nosed around a bit then departed without leaving his calling card.
They were gracious enough to see through the road grime and lack of shaving to guess that we were not as nasty as we looked and invited us to dine with them.
As we had been contemplating Javelina sushi, we gratefully accepted.
And what a meal! The best venison backstrap steaks I have ever had – done to perfection.
About the time dinner was over, Pepe waddled through but couldn’t stay.
It was really blowing hard and a thunder bumper was moving our way.
It rained very briefly, but the wind was shaking our tents all night.
Dawn found us breaking camp under the watchful eyes of three deer."
And off they go!
No comments:
Post a Comment