One last day of marathon waiting was completed yesterday and...finally an end to it all. After 10 hours of festering in the hot Juarez sun (actually we were inside the consulate building most of the day) we crossed the Rio Grand without swimming and without dodging bullets! So, I guess it was a victory of sorts. The motorcycle cop that tried to turn me back after I cut in the line of cars waiting to cross the border didn't like me though. He actually succeeded in making us go back but not until I could get close enough to let my wife and new kid out and walk the last 200 yards to the processing center, within view of the American flag and the Texas star. On the second pass I got a good look at him. He wore the typical motorcycle-cop attire, white helmet, leather gloves and high biker boots...with spurs! What do you need those for?
I got a lot of nice pics of sunsets and clouds on the recent trips through Texas and New Mexico. Also, the Rio Grande was almost inspiring. I think It's a bit more attractive further north. On the far southeastern side of El Paso, at the Zaragoza bridge border crossing, it's a just a trickle...maybe they use it up in Juarez / El Paso. Or maybe some if it inadvertently flows into the drug tunnels that crisscross the border. On my next trip there I think I'll investigate that theory. For the time being I'm content with trying to normalize my life. Well, as normal as possible that is. Life for an artistical expeditionary is never what one might call normal...Also, I've copyrighted the phrase "Marathon waiting". So, if you want to use that you'll have to pay dearly...just like I have. I hope you enjoy this peaceful river scene. Reminds of my days trapping muskrats on the mighty Mississippi.
