5-17: It's been a slow week. We haven't made it very far. First we rested. Then we had to do misc errands. We battled with the wind for a day (and my lips are still chapped from it!) Then we had to wait around for this damn chain-ring that we've been having the worst luck catching up with! Today, we got it (thanks Tara and Andrea)--and it works amazingly. Zach's knees will officially be smiling their way up the mountain roads tomorrow. We're in MARFA TX which is a strange oasis of art and hipness in the desert; staying with Hilary who very graciously put us up on short notice. Tomorrow we will ride to/sleep at the McDonald observatory! We are staying with someone who works up there which is very exciting. A big steep climb to get there but it will be worth it. Right now, its time to SLEEP! I've prepped the coffee and the oatmeal/chia mixture so its all ready to go in the AM. Mountains, I can handle you!