Friday March 27, 2015

Even though we could have a lie-in we didn’t, I was awake early and we were on the road by 9:15 am.

We met the ACA cyclists who had left San Diego on March 9, 2015. We thought we might be crossing paths in El Paso with this group. A second group left San Diego on March 19, 2015, not sure when we will cross paths with that group.

It was an easy ride, and we were in Fabens by noon. We stopped in Fabens for lunch and bought some supplies. We had given David (our host) an estimated time of 2:00pm.

We were in San Elizario at just after 1:00. I spotted the church and instead of carrying on to David’s house, we visited the church and historic district.

What a great place, I have no idea why ACA doesn’t bring the route through this lovely Town.

We chatted to a guy called Al who gave us a lot of history about the area. The historic area was rebuilt in 2008.

We talked about the legend of Billy the Kid. He also gave us his ideas for the area which includes a hotel and RV Park and camping area.

We were a little late getting to David’s place. We chatted to David’s parents until David came home. David is a substitute teacher, a councilor for the City of San Elizario and volunteers for various other organizations.

I questioned him about planning, how it works in Texas, how they become a city, David was really interesting to talk to. A very gentle, quietly spoken, very intelligent man. San Elizario became a City in 2013, they had to apply to the State for City status. It was a long drawn out application process, with David and other people going to the State legislature in Austin to put their case for City status. They wanted City status to prevent Socorro annexing land from San Elizario. They were successful in their application and now have other benefits for City status, including being able to apply zoning regulations to assist and control development.

We were supposed to camp tonight but David’s parents invited us into their home and we slept in the spare bedroom. We had a lovely shower and a lovely evening.

Tomorrow David is going to ride with us along the Mission Trail to El Paso. David is going to cycle from San Elsario to San Antonio along the ACA route (in May) a distance of 905 kms in approximately 6 – 7 days! He is going to be supported, his friend is going to drive his truck. Even so, 905 kms in 7 days, that is a hard ride, Good Luck David.

We are planning a rest day in El Paso.