Trans America Cycling Day 18 - Van Horn, TX to Fort Davis, TX

The link to today's route and statistics is found here.
A great, yet difficult, day in the saddle in west Texas.  Our tour leaders picked a superb route that was a deviation from the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) map.  There was a lot of wildlife and scenic beauty along today’s route.

 It was a tough slog climbing into the wind of 20 to 25 mph on Texas Farm Road 505.  Eventually we climbed to an elevation of 5860 ft.  The gently downhill for 10 miles near the end of the ride didn't seem like a downhill, because of the wind.  Several riders commented that today was the most difficult of the tour, due to the wind.
At least three herds of pronghorn antelope were seen as we rode up Highway 90 in Antelope Valley.  One herd was on the shoulder of the highway as the author rode up.  Antelope are extremely skittish, so they run off before one gets an opportunity for a close-up photograph.  In fact the antelope that were on the shoulder after running about 200 yards from the road into the grassy field ran parallel to the road just ahead of the cycling author, and the speed of the rider and the herd was 16.5 mph at that time.  The antelope were just lightly jogging.
Antelope in Antelope Valley, TX

More antelope running in the grassland

Views from along the Texas Mountain Highway are spectacular.

Mountain Vista with peaks between 6,000 and 7,000 feet near Fort Davis

View of mountains in Mexico

 For the fashion conscious there was a Marfa Prada store in the middle of nowhere. Handbags and high heels were on display, but we found the store closed.  Believe it or not, the store is a permanently installed sculpture by artists.  Adobe bricks, as used to build houses in New Mexico were used in the construction of the sculpture inaugurated in 2005.
Randy in military bicyclist formation in front of Prada store in desolate part of west Texas

Near Fort Davis, Roberto found a war memorial.

Your sacrifices will never be forgotten

After a hard days riding, many look for milkshakes as a recovery drink, except sometimes John has a coffee or a beer.  Today milkshakes were to be had at Fort Davis Drug Store and Hotel, which is also a restaurant where many went for dinner.
Milkshakes hit the spot for Barry, Ray and Roberto after cooperating together in the paceline all day

Sound policy enforced at Fort Davis Drug Store and Hotel

We are staying the night in the classy Hotel Limpia built in 1914 in Fort Davis.  The town of Fort Davis is also the site of western Fort Davis operated in the 1800's.  Limpia is also the name of the cat that inhabits the hotel, so there are signs around to close doors in order to not let Limpia out.

Hotel Limpia exterior
Vintage beds in room in Hotel Limpia

Interesting rock cliffs sit behind the Hotel Limpia Annex.

Rock formation near our hotel in Fort Davis

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