01 April 2014
Fort Davis to Marathon, TX
55 miles (Total Miles = 1,093)

I’m pretty sure that was George Sr. and George Jr. that just flew overhead in side-by-side private jets. Not sure who else would be out here, as we continue our journey through the middle of nowhere. We are on our way to Marathon, Texas, which bills itself online as the place “Where There’s Nothing ‘To Do'”. I don’t know if they’re going to let Gina stay there, then, since they don’t allow To Do lists. Taking away Gina’s To Do Lists would no doubt interrupt the entire planetary order, shattering the Universe, ending life as we know it. She’ll have to just sneak in the back door, I’m afraid, and hope that Border Control is looking the other way.

It’s a welcome day here on the Southern Tier, not only because we are starting out with a lovely, crisp morning on a scenic and downhill road but also because our first stop of the day is Alpine, where Larry’s Amtrak train is arriving. The occasion of his return is marked with balloons and donuts. Almost makes one want to leave the trip and come back again.

We’re camped this evening at the super cute Hotel Marathon. It falls into the super cute category because they are allowing us to pitch our tents on grass instead of the gravel parking lot, which apparently was the fate of Nicole and Paul’s previous Southern Tier riders. I’m glad they have more clout this go ’round since our tent stakes are already bent and there’s not enough room in the bathroom for Candy and both of us to sleep.