February 1, 2016 – Sunny, 80 degrees
Miles Today: 34
Miles to Date: 11,214
States to Date: 28
A short ride but plenty of exercise, as the wind was in my face the entire route. Ten miles outside of Del Rio, The Amistad Reservoir spreads out across the US and Mexico. The U.S. and Mexico dammed the Rio Grande to control floods in Del Rio and its larger neighbor, Ciudad Acuna. Flood gauges still line local streets, despite no floods since the dam opened in 1969.
I stopped at H-E-B for lunch and supplies. JC and Israel, two of the guys serving up roasted chicken with rice and beans, fried onions, jalapenos, and fresh tortillas, topped off my order with proclamations of our world vis-a-vis the predictions of The Book of Revelation. Then they gave me my meal for free.
Del Rio is a town of big commercial strips. Main Street is not a commercial center. Rather it’s a residential boulevard with gorgeous examples turn-of-last-century residential architecture.
My couchsurfing host Kevin requested I arrive early since he had to teach a Monday evening class. He invited another long distance cycle friend for an early supper with his family, which left lots of time for playing cards and more talk when Kevin returned.
The Awkward Pose 