Day 32 - Brackettville, TX to Sabinal, TX (“Get in line like a normal person!”)

Permanent Inspection Stations are set up all over the lower Rio Grande Valley. On the lightly traveled roads I have been on of late there is no one going through the inspection stations and the border patrol agents just wave me through. I do not fit the profile that peaks their interest. An illegal immigrant would not fit in my panniers. 

Today was different.

I approached one of these inspection stations on a much busier road today. The cars and trucks that had buzzed past me over the past few minutes were waiting in a long line to be inspected. I scoot into the far right side of the lane and pedal to the front of the line on the assumption that I am somehow exempt. 

When I get to the front of the line a heavy set border patrol agent points at me and yells, “Hey! Hey! Hey!” This sets off the large German Shepherd he has on a leash in his other hand. Seeing that the heavy set dude is struggling with both arms to control this raging beast I quickly take a few steps back and ask what he wants me to do. “GET IN LINE LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!!!” he bellows. The volume and agitated tone of his voice further sets off the German Shepherd, who is now on his back legs, barking, jumping, snarling and trying to lunge at me. 

Another border patrol agent sees what is going on and comes over to me and asks if everything is okay. Seemed like kind of a dumb question to me but I summon up the composure to assure him that everything is just fine. “Okay. Be safe.” he calmly says as he quickly waves me past. I furiously pedal through the inspection point without looking back.

I pulled into a small town less than half an hour before sunset today without a place to stay. Trying to find a place to camp in towns like this before it gets dark is an unsettling game I have played many times.

Rule 1 is never ask a cop or a city official for help. The answer is always a calloused no; and you’ve lost the defense of ignorance and alerted them to your sorrowful plight. Best thing to do is to go into a bar and ask the bartender if he knows anyone who will let you camp on their yard. He is always anxious to help and he knows lots of people. 

It’s a little like doing business in Japan in that it is important who introduces you to prospective landlords. If the bartender introduces you your chances of success are about 80%. If you introduce yourself and ask permission directly your chances are about 20% - higher with poor homes and lower with expensive homes.

Tonight I didn’t have time to find a bar but got lucky wit a direct approach!