The hardest day thus far. In view of my planned 90-mile day, I hit the road at 7:30 A.M. after drinking a quart of chocolate milk (882 calories). Heavy clouds hung low in the sky and a brisk headwind blew. I felt pretty frisky for the first 20 miles to Dryden, a hamlet barely hanging on. In 10 more miles, I stopped at a picnic spot for a break. I should have biked to here yesterday and camped after loading up with water and food in Sanderson. For another 10 miles, the highway passed over massive limestone rock, which created rolling terrain that sapped my energy. The headwind sapped my physical and mental energy. After I left the limestone, the landscape reverted to gently rolling with knee to waist-high desert shrubs, mostly creosote bush. At the hamlet of Langtry (all services were defunct) at 60 miles, I had a break at 3 P.M. I decided to try to attempt to reach Comstock, 30 miles farther. Somehow, I managed to find the energy to reach the spectacular Pecos River canyon (see photo) at 5:30 P.M. Only 11.5 miles to go. Happily, the wind abated somewhat and became a crosswind. The late afternoon sun created interesting lighting. At 7;00 P.M., I reached Comstock, totally spent. After drinking a pint of cold water, I checked into the Comstock Motel. A shower revived me a little. A burger, fries, a beer and more water helped, too. Rain is forecast for tomorrow. 90 tough miles today.
