I also got to ride the cable tram up to Mount Franklin, an El Paso attraction I hadn't gotten around to during my first stay. Other than that -- so much delicious Mexican food.
After El Paso I begun my trek across West Texas - 8 hours of desolate interstate before getting to Texas Hill country. I am still humbled by the sheer size of this country.
On a related note, Texas has some insane speed limits. I get the 80 - 85mph (130 - 135kph) on the interstates, but back highways and even winding country roads had limits up to 75mph (120kph). Sure, it's fun for a while until someone starts tailgating you for not keeping up.
Coming up on Austin, I got some delicious Texas BBQ a few miles out of town. Not one for lining up, I avoided the well-known spots (Salt Lick, Franklin -- sorry Juliana) and tried a small-town spot. I got to talking with Chris, a power plant engineer who rode the same bike I did.
Austin seemed every bit as great as it's cracked up to be. Unfortunate I didn't get to stay more than a day, but it certainly has a very fun and dynamic vibe.
Heading North from Austin I did have a few run-ins with wildlife. At some point a massive vulture flew past right ahead of the bike -- I ducked instinctively, but it was still a close call. Later, at a north- Texas campsite I got overrun with ants. I spent two hours in the morning cleaning all my bags - they were everywhere! Later, in Arkansas, raccoons stole food from my saddlebags.
As for the South (so far - Oklahoma and Arkansas):
* Some of the most impoverished towns I've seen so far - other than maybe some of the Native reserves.
* People really, really have thick dialects. Some fellow pronounced "helmet" as "hammock".
* Confederate flags and "rolling coal" everywhere.
* These folks really, really know their BBQ.
* Beautiful houses! Starting in North-Texas, I've seen some of the most ornate and just beautiful mansions in all of the States.
Haha die brug :')
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