We had a relatively easy 45 mile ride today from Pampa to Wheeler Texas.  We decided last night that we needed a rest day, but we wanted to keep moving. Our compromise was an easy spin with minimal time on the bicycle, yet we kept “moving the chains” in an easterly direction.

There is not to much to report about our ride today. We had a strong cross wind and we saw a cattle standing on the left side of the road and cattle standing on the right side of the road, and trucks hauling cattle in the middle of the road. This is a culture of cattle, oil and gas, and small towns spread far apart.  The people that we speak with are friendly, open and willing to talk. All and all, I have very favorable impression of the Texas Panhandle.

We had lunch at a place on the side of the road called The Cowboy Oasis. I took a picture of the parking lot just to call attention to the vehicles.  Take note – pick-up trucks seem to be the preference.

No Mini-Vans Allowed at the Cowboy Oasis

We are staying at a great bed and breakfast that my wife Beth, our travel agent, found for us. It is located in the middle of this little town, directly across from the courthouse.  It is much too nice for Dan and I – I should be here with Beth, not Dan Peirce.

Wheeler Texas

Heavy Traffic Along Highway 152 Today

Tomorrow,  we are heading toward Elk City, Oklahoma.  The distance and the route we travel will be dictated by wind conditions.  Now that we are out of the mountains, our new challenge is fighting the wind. We are learning to take what the road gives us.  We have three options, 50 miles, 80 miles, or 108 miles.  If we are fighting a headwind, it will be 50 miles.  If we are fortunate to have a wind on some portion of our back, (or a neutral wind) it will be higher mileage.

Tonight, we are just enjoying the fact that we are feeling strong and we will be ready to go in the morning.