Day 70 - To Breckenridge and Beyond

Sunday, November 7, 2010

I got cold last night, but it doesn’t feel too cold outside. Maybe because my tent is in a low spot? The coyotes were vocal much of the evening, and I didn’t get to sleep until after 11. But, there’s an extra hour this morning, so that will help. I was up a little after 6, and packed, ready to go, by 730. It's light enough to get on the road, so I headed out. I have no clue how far I am from Breckenridge, but it can’t be too far. I want to get there, hang out for a while, and then do some of the miles between Breckenridge and Mineral Wells.

I hadn’t walked a mile when I saw 3 of the most beautiful Paint horses. They all had the marking that are associated with this breed, and I could imagine an Apache warrior sitting on them. I tried to coax them to the fence for a mint, but no luck. There are lots of boats on the road this morning, as well as yesterday. There’s a lake up ahead…..the Hubbard Creek Reservoir. I assume that’s where they’re headed. Before long I came to a motel that advertised wireless Internet. I asked if I could use it a while, and they were kind enough to allow that. The motel is the Plaza Motel in Breckenridge, and the owners are Angelo and Yogita Fernandes. Yogita even invited me to have some breakfast with them, and I had something called thepala. She warned me it had a little chili pepper, but it wasn’t hot at all. I finished, thanked them, and headed toward Breckenridge.

I soon came to a long bridge. It must have been at least ½ mile, with very little shoulder. Lots of boat traffic, so that was a little scary. I had a good view of the lake, and it appeared to be pretty nice. I walked farther, and before long spotted two things familiar to all Americans……the golden arches and a Wal-Mart sign. Unlike the scenic walk into Albany, this is what you get coming from the west into Breckenridge. Also there was a golf course right along the highway, and those have been rare out here. I had a few things to pick up at Wal-Mart, so headed there first. Got a new coyote and wild pig stick (left mine somewhere a few days back), some batteries for my headlamp, and a street map of the Dallas/FT Worth area. Met a nice young man named Toby, and he helped me find my things. He’s going to school in Breckenridge, helping his Grandmother on her ranch, and working at Wal-Mart…..a busy young man.

I left there and stopped by McDonald’s to finish my breakfast and use the computer a little more. I needed to charge the battery, and they had one table with a receptacle. I stayed there a while, then headed out. I walked through the downtown area, and it was nice, but not as nice as Albany or some of the others. The courthouse isn’t as “stately” as the others, looks like a more modern, government building. I finally saw some streamers with the high school colors……green and silver. The Breckenridge Buckaroos. Before long I was out of Breckenridge and walking in the countryside. I saw a couple more horses, and offered them mints, but they weren’t very interested. I don’t get it…..the horses back home will fight each other to get a peppermint, these aren’t interested. What’s the difference?

I passed one of the rest areas around 4, but refused to stop for the night with at least 2 hours daylight left. Around 5, I found a suitable place to camp, and put up the tent there. It will start getting dark by around 6, so that’s a consideration when looking for a spot. Before long I was inside the tent with a long evening ahead. I wonder if the Cowboys won today? (No, I didn't take that picture.)