Day 52 McNary to Sierra Blanca Texas – 35 miles

10/21/2014

I ended the previous day being interrogated by the border patrol. I began day 52 with a sheriff giving me the third degree. He was concerned that the owners of a rundown emptied out building might not want my support vehicle on the property. He was pretty cordial after hearing about my adventure. When I told him the road I had planned to run, he said, “Hahaha, good luck!”

El diablo road, the devil’s road, perhaps the name was an indication of things to come. Was it a wise decision to run without my support vehicle? I threw caution to the wind and the wind whisked it away. The wind then pushed me around and kicked dust into my face. After a couple miles I checked my map to make sure I was on track. I took my eyes off the devil’s road for a split second and my foot began sinking. It wasn’t quicksand, it was mud. I tried to pull my foot out but all I got was a sucking noise. My foot came right out of my shoe. After some bending and contorting, my body I finally got into position to fish out my shoe.

The reflective surface of my shoes had been tarnished but there was enough life left in them to conquer the road. Despite the rugged terrain and the many obstacles, the scenery was a spectacle. As I ate dust throughout the day I saw abandoned stables, cars, and homes all from a time long passed. I crossed a rickety bridge over a large wash. The road seemed unending. Even with a glimpse of the support vehicle in the distance the journey persisted.

I ran into Sierra Blanca with the wind at my tail and under my wings. The darkness came early but I was able to see a ghost town that seemed almost abandoned. There was no trace of life on the main strip but we managed to find a great Mexican restaurant called La Familia. The family operation spanned several generations of females. Their enchiladas were tasty without a doubt, but the style was slightly different from the California cuisine. They don’t roll the enchiladas here in Texas. Instead they are prepared flat. The subtle differences from place to place are the spice of life!