Day 18, TX, El Paso to Tornilla

We tried to sleep in this morning because our hosts thought we would be better off leaving around 8:30 to let traffic die down. In retrospect I think that was a good idea. We had to ride through downtown El Paso and it wasn't too busy. 

Once again we were treated like family by Harry and Rebecca. We are indebted to them for the kindness and provisions. 

It was down to 21 last night but it's clear and calm so it was warming in the direct sun. It got into the 50's today but was cool in the shade all day. 

Harry rode out with us and got us on the right path to our exit from El Paso. 

I hit paydirt at an ATM and we got a few groceries on our way out. It took us about 20 miles to shed the city and enter the wilds of west Texas. We had our own lane for a lone stretch but just before we ran out of city the bike lane ended and the shoulder ended and we were in the traffic instead of beside it. Fortunately that was only a couple of miles. 

We stopped at this city park in Faben which was the first town we hit outside of El Paso. We ate the goodies that Rebecca had sent us off with and planned our next moves. I sent another package home by post office in the next town of Tornillo. We bought a gallon of filtered water from a vending machine and I called for camping info. 

If those are trash cans then this must be where we pitch camp!

Five miles away was Plain View Lakes and they let us stay no charge. There is a bathroom with a sink (cold water only) and a toilet but no shower. 

It looks like they charge people to fish for catfish here. The lakes were nice In the aridness. 

We could see Mexico, marked by the big fence about a half mile away. 

About 44 miles today with an average speed of 12.7.