The Cheese Weasels Do Big Bend, Texas

[Stichill]

Day 2 - Saturday 24 March 2018 - West of the Pecos

Feeling extremely satisfied with our lunch stop in Del Rio, we continued rolling west on US 90. We were surprised to soon come across an internal checkpoint operated by US Customs and Border Patrol. Upon reaching the checkpoint, we were photographed multiple times by automated cameras. Then we stopped and spoke with an officer:

"Are you a U.S. citizen?"
"Yes, I am."
"Have a nice day. Move along."

I was glad I'd brought along my passport, just in case. However, I was not asked to produce it.

Next we crossed the Armistad Reservoir, formed by damming the Rio Grande and shared between the US and Mexico.

Traveling onward, we came through a cut in the hill and suddenly saw a high bridge over a river and pulled into a parking area to have a look. It turned out to be a spectacular view of the Pecos River, way down below in its canyon. The confluence with the Rio Grande is not too far south from this point.


Looking east


Looking north


Looking south

The posted speed limit on US 90 was 75 mph, and we soon realized that going below the speed limit wasn't safe due to heavy trucks backing up behind us, waiting for an opportunity to pass. So we notched our cruise controls up to 75 mph and endured the wind blast. I noticed that the buffeting wasn't any worse at 85 mph than it was at 60 mph, so it didn't matter to me how fast we went. As the miles rolled by I became more accustomed to the buffeting and soon I hardly paid any further attention to it.

As we approached Langtry, we saw signs for the Judge Roy Bean Visitor Center. It was a good time to stop, stretch the legs, and hydrate so we pulled into the lot.




The original Jersey Lilly saloon, where Judge Bean held court, is still standing and is claimed to be the original structure as it was back in the day.







Surrounding the visitors center is a wonderful cactus garden. We really enjoyed pleasantly strolling through it and admiring the botanical variety.