March 26, 2018
Marfa is a unique and interesting town. It has an artistic flare and is indeed home to a number of artists and galleries. It is also home to the West Texas norm of closed and abandoned store fronts and empty buildings. Still, there is a life and vitality to the community that makes it a treat to visit. The centrepiece is the Hotel Piasano a luxurious resting place with historic, old southwest charm. If you travel around town you will see examples of its eclectic nature, from the Lost Horse Saloon to some interesting signs and expressions.
Our resting place is a very unusual campground know as El Cosmico. If you like, you can pitch your tent on their flat, dry terrain, rent a tepee or stay in one of their classic, vintage trailers. There are outdoor, open air showers, a community kitchen and nearly everything necessary for a comfortable stay in a rustic setting. We even managed to arrive on an evening when there was free beer and music.
One of the best things about bicycle travel is the other cyclists you meet along the way. There is a steady stream of fellow peddlers going both east, west and to and from points in between. One such traveller is Grant. Grant is travelling from Tijuana, Mexico to Brownsville, Texas in order to write an article about the US – Mexico border for The Weekly Standard, a Washington DC publication. Each rider we encounter provides an opportunity to exchange stories, road conditions and general good will. A fellowship of the road.
