Cruising from Marathon to Sanderson, TX

54 miles, 540' of elevation, 90 degrees, 17.5 mph average
  It was with a great deal of reluctance to leave the Gage Hotel. Not only because of the quality of the accommodations and grounds but they bring in a chef to do breakfast! Can't even begin to do it justice but amongst the many selections were mini-quiches, warm fresh baked rolls with ham and cheese in them, homemade granola, fresh fruit, yogurts, multi-grain breads, etc. We were so happy there we left a half hour after the suggested departure and wanted to do second breakfast.
  The ride had a tail wind with a steady elevation drop which meant we were tooling along at 20 mph with little if any effort. This was a beneficial in that is was another recovery day before tomorrow's 111 mile ride to Del Rio. The group arrived by noon and the rooms were ready so here we are out of the heat drinking fluids and rest, rest, rest. We have been in the area called Big Bend since arriving in El Paso. We are several hundred miles from Big Bend National Park but the designated region is huge. Can't imagine living here, however, with such a lack of population, services and heat. Differences make the world go round.