| Outside of Del Rio, Texas |

The drive from Del Rio to Sanderson looked to be a couple of hours and figured to be quiet and uneventful ride West on US-90.

A little bit down the highway, I pulled up to a Border Patrol checkpoint, a not at all uncommon occurrence in this part of the country, that skirts the border with Mexico.

At the front of the line of five or so cars, was a small, dark green, late model van, that, judging by it’s well worn appearance had seen it’s share of the highway in it’s day.

The van, and it’s occupants, seemed to be taking longer than one would think to get the agent’s blessing to continue on their way, and it occurred to me, in the way it briefly does while waiting in such a line, that it might be cool to see a big bust or some sort. But, eventually they moved on without any of my hoped for theatrics.

When it came to my turn, the agent noticed the New York license plate and the following conversation then began:

• Agent – You’re from New York? What part?
• Me – Buffalo.
• Agent – No, you’re not. I’m from Buffalo.
• Me – C’mon!
• Agent – Where in Buffalo?
• Me – Williamsville.
• Agent – (Chuckling) I’m from Clarence.

And so here I was, some 1,800 miles from home and a stone’s throw from the Mexican border, chatting with a border agent born and raised in the town literally right next door.

Note: For those not familiar with WNY, Williamsville and Clarence are adjoining suburbs of Buffalo.

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A few miles down the road, I came upon that same van puttering down the highway at about 60 mph in a 75 mph zone.

As I passed them, I easily took note of the license plate. Ontario, Canada, right over the border from Western New York.

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Further down that same highway I came upon the impressive Pecos River bridge. I swung back around and parked at the drive off, so I could snap a few pictures and stretch out my legs.

From Wikipedia: The current Pecos River High Bridge is a steel deck truss bridge on slip-formed concrete piers, ranging in height up to 275 feet (84m). it was designed by Modjeski and Masters of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with foundations constructed by Brown and Root of Houston and trusses fabricated by Bethlehem Steel Company of Chicago. Because of material rationing during World War II, War Production Board approval was required before proceeding with fabrication.

As I was walking back towards my car, that same ubiquitous Green van pulled up. And I couldn’t hesitate to ask the folks where in Ontario they were from.

The answer: Sudbury, ON, about 5 hours north of Buffalo.

Turns out the reason they were taking so long at the checkpoint, was a similar territorial conversation with that same WNY agent.

Though the world is a very big place, there are times that it indeed feels very, very small.