Eisenhower Highway System
Trip Start
Oct 20, 2009
1
121
159
Trip End
Jun 23, 2010
Where I stayed
El Paso, Texas
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Brrrr, it was cold in the early part of the day, 11 degrees in fact. We got going so early, the dawn sun was shining in my eyes, until we turned onto the highway, then the reflections from Des's clean aluminium panniers boxes were like mirrors. I kept my distance from Des’s bike, until the sun rose a little. I shivered through the first 100 kilometers with just my summer riding jacket and gortex liner on. Although it was sunny, the wind chill factor was very high, the wind cutting through us was very unpleasant. At our morning tea break in a rest area, I added my quilted coat to my riding apparel.
We met an English chap at the rest stop who very kindly showed us through his mobile home. It was huge with two panels which folded out electronically, to increased the width considerably. He said it cost $200,000 to buy new.
The travelers’ rest areas here in Texas are magnificent. They usually have some sort of theme or lots of information about the State. Some of them have huge murals made with tiles on the walls of the bathrooms and shelters. They have provision for pets to have a drink. One rest area had three beautiful Indian tee pees with tables and chairs inside, the whole area was lovely. Another was in a pretty desolate area, but had irrigation and several trees planted in the barren dessert, to make the rest area attractive. These rest areas usually have free Wifi too.
We’ve also noticed some of the bridges are beautifully decorated with wrought iron panels depicting a story or Aztec shapes. Some have carved stone decorating the entry flanges at the sides. Others have murals. It helps to make the long ride on the highways interesting.
We were travelling on Highway 10, the Eisenhower Interstate System. Apparently, during the Second World War, President Eisenhower saw the autobahn highway system in Germany and decided he wanted those huge highways for his own country. I’m sure the American people are grateful, because the highway system here is fantastic, clean, well signed and well maintained. We see notices against littering on the highways too.
As we rode on we could see mountains with snow on top in the distance, no wonder the wind was so cold.
We rode through the Continental Divide and once again found a lovely La Quinta Hotel, to settle in for the night in El Paso, Texas. The steak house was calling us, as we hadn’t had a good steak for some time, so we dined at "Texas Steakhouse" which was a bit expensive, but the meat was delicious. The tee shirts the staff wear, has written on the back; “I love my job”.
Texans are very patriotic, you can buy all sorts of things in Texas shapes, even cakes and waffles.
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Comments
Very interesting post! I hope that you had a wonderful time. I hope that I experience something like that in the future.
Hurrah! Pleasant conditions at last ... you must be appreciating the difference.
We are happy that you are enjoying the ride and it is a little easier on our mind to.