Leg 35 Del Rio – Sanderson

Leg 35 Del Rio – Sanderson (Mar 6): 191 km, climb 1478 m. Total distance 3542 km.

Well, todays distance was not 191 km. Riding that long in completely uninhabited country didn’t feel safe, not to mention that we wouldn’t be able to complete the ride before dark, so we had Tony (previously mentioned) take us in his taxi past Langtry.

Todays ride exhibited a dramatically changed landscape compared to previous rides. We’re now coming into the highlands, Sanderson is located 850 m (2789 feet) above sea level. The landscape is still wide open but now with mountain ridges to climb. The trees are gone and the landscape is basically sand and rock with cacti, low bushes and Joshua trees – and it is absolutely breathtaking! I must have been riding with a silly smile on my face all day long! Some of the steep up hills are challanging, but the view reaching the top is always worth it. I absolutely love this landscape!

Coming into Sanderson was nice. Very small village with only one restaurant. I still feel uneasy around people carrying open handguns (both waitreses at the restaurant), but I guess I’ll get used to it (or not!).

Our motel’s named Desert Air Motel, and I understand why. The air out here is among the cleanest I’ve ever breathed – and the water is delicious as well. After checking in we went for a hike in the neighbouring mountain and also checked out the local bat habitat. While it was getting dark Frida went for another bat-trip to see them come out for hunt…