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As I approached the Rio Grande valley near Presidio, I immediately noticed in the haze a backdrop of eroded cliffs and many octillo plants near the highway. The octillo plants are pretty cool, like a weed growing 12 feet tall  and it seems they like hot dry conditions. Presidio has a lot of abandoned equipment and trailer houses as you approach on 67, but I have grown accustomed to this as I travel across the United states…we tend to drop things when we stop using them, this was no different. The entrance to the town itself is quite nice and clean. There is a motel, and signs that direct you into Mexico if you wish, or on to downtown Presidio. Downtown Presidio is quite a site, not terribly unlike small Texas towns, but with minimal sidewalks, and in this case a narrow street where cars back into traffic blocking both lanes of traffic to un park. I noticed a few various businesses including a money exchange house, hardware store and plenty of gas. I opted for lunch at the El Patio restaurant.
Lunch was pleasant, it would help to speak Spanish though…my ability in that area is limited, though German and a few archaic languages aren’t a problem. The restaurant was clean and the service was good. I needed the iced tea since it had turned hot in the valley and I made a few cell phone calls. As I donned the helmet, my skid jacket and checked the bike again, I noticed that I was getting uncomfortably warm even in the reasonably mild temperatures (low 90’s is not hot there)… and as a result I forgot to take a picture of downtown Presidio! I will have to go back someday!!!
I filled up with gas again because I knew the next leg would be at least 70 miles to Study Butte via Terlingua on Texas Farm to Market 170. This portion of the South Texas trip was my favorite. The road skirts the Rio Grande river and is a maze of winding, hilly two lane pavement that has numerous low water crossings that come alive during a moderate rain. The road was well cared for, but a sign as you leave Presidio warns that there is a 15% grade 62 miles ahead. It is a reminder that you either go over or come back the way you came. I had determined that the Valkyrie could probably handle this minor problem, and looked forward to speeding up the hill and through its curves! (read more...)
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