To Fentress, TX

Well, for starters, today was 74 miles of headwinds -the first 45 miles was more roller coaster hills. Now I love those hills but by the 3rd day I was darn tired of them. Then all of a sudden we turned and there was flat roads and fields where you could see off in the distance. It was amazing - just a turn in the road. Very pretty but still those headwinds!! The Texas wildflowers are finally coming out. There's been a delay because of the freeze and drought... but if you could see the fields that had them -absolutely beautiful. Pinks, blues, purples, yellows, rusts, reds - what a wonderful sight. With the headwinds coming at us I just kept looking at the flowers - trying not to think that I could only go 8-9 miles an hour...It was tough for everyone. We all dragged in.

I forgot to tell you all that we took the staff out to dinner in Kerrville. We took them to Margaritas which is like Chevys. It was a lot of fun and we told them it was Dawn's birthday and they did like they do at Chevy's. She was a good sport as she was surprised when they clapped a sombrero on her head and started singing....

I didn't get to the BBQ in Lockhart because it was actually at 60 miles and we only skirted the town. I have no idea where the place was and I was too tired to care at that point but we did pass the courthouse - check it out. A little elaborate don't you think? They say it took only 8 months to build it - a little hard to believe....

I'm tired to nite so this is it... We're on our way to La Grange tomorrow. I understand it has a lot of history...

Blanco, TX

Today we cycled 57 miles to Blanco. We're staying at a beautiful state park. It was another day of great riding roller coaster hills with ranches and farm animals out in the fields. We went through a very cute and small town called Comfort. For some reason I want to say one of the American Idol contestants last year or year before came from Comfort. It had the antique stores and cafes that make it great for tourists. When we arrived at Blanco we had lunch at the Bowling Alley Cafe - it used to be a bowling alley. There is a great area for swimming in the river and some of the guys did playing cannonball....

We are traveling mostly on backroads to avoid traffic. Most of the towns that we go through are very tired and so many of the buildings are boarded up. Without the Railroad and I-10 freeway these small towns have withered away. Kerrville was the largest town we were in since Tuscan. It's really quite sad to see these small towns slowly dying.

Let me tell you about Texas roads. They are all about chipseal (spelling)-and they are lousy and rough. It's amazing when you get to an affluent county - the chipseal road smooths out some. When it's not affluent - the roads are rough and really bumpy! You think you are rattling your brains loose and also the bolts on your bike.

Another thing we've gotten into now.... Humidity!!! I guess we'll have humid weather from now on... not looking forward to that! I feel like I've been in a sauna.. and we're now just getting into it!!!

Tomorrow is another 70 mile day with more roller coaster hills. We go through Lockhart which is the BBQ capital of Texas or the world so the Texan like to say. One of the restaurants was on the Dives and Diners. I think we will be going through too early in the morning for them to be open - will have to wait and see...cuz I would like to try it... will let you know...

Kerrville - the Halfway Mark

We had a great day of cycling 74 miles to Kerrville - the route was fabulous.. really fund roller coaster hills and then cycling the last part along the Guadalupe river. It's the same color as the Pecos river ... what do they put in it to make it that beautiful color.... A great route!

We passed many ranches and the one thing I noticed. The elaborate gates to their ranch. It's almost like a status symbol. Makes me think of the cowboys who where the humongus (spelling) belt buckles. One of the huge ranches we passed was the Faulkner ranch - they say it's about 400,000 acres... you know it's big when you have numbered gates along the way. This is the ranch where Cheney "accidently" shot his friend when they were hunting...

You will not believe this but I saw an all white deer - albino... I couldn't believe it myself. Harry said he saw a deer that was about 8ft tall from hoof to top of antlers...course we asked him what the had been smoking! this was on the Faulkner ranch and part of his exotic animals he keeps there..

Kerrville is halfway to the Atlantic. I can honestly say I never once have asked myself what was I thinking when I signed up. I'm loving it... I like my tent alot - it's my home! I actually think camping is the way to go because you become more of a unit with the others...you don't take off to the motel room and watch tv. The group and the staff are great and we have lots of fun together...we are a small family. Everyone was back last nite and healthy! I can't believe how fast the time is going.

What surprises me are the number of women cycling solo and self supporting across the US. Bubba is a great guy and when we meet up with them they are always welcome to share dinner and the campsite.

On the scenic lookout along the way was a sign posted that read, "Dont' push the cliff campers or swimmers off the edge."

It seems Texans are really proud of their state - everytime you meet one they ask you how you like the "great state of Texas." I never ask tourists in ca how they like our great state.

Today is an off day so a few of us are going in town for lunch and shopping!

On to Utopia

Day before I didn't have any verizon access so didn't post. We cycled that day 72 miles to Garner State Park - named after the former governor of Texas- John Nance Garner. Halfway through the route we started the Texas Hill Country...how sweet it was...green trees, green grass and hills to climb. That nite at camp we stayed by the river and you could hear it running behind us. What amazes me are the stars at nite..it's like lace covering the sky. We don't have that in Alameda. Just about every day we stop at a local diner for lunch... it's always where the towns people go and the food is always delicious... except for this one spot which was the only spot in this small town. I asked for a BLT on toasted wheat and I ended up with white bread that was put in the toaster once (or maybe it was just stale bread)as it wasn't brown. It's amazing what you will eat on the road that you wouldn't normally!

Seminole Canyon Park and Ft Clark Springs

Yesterday was a challenge... 76 miles of hills... long uphills and short downhills but no relief because we had headwinds. Had to pedal all the way down. then it turned hot!!! Out of 13 riders only 6 of us completed the day. then of course, last nite we also had more winds and it was ripping through the tents. To top it all of Judy had heat exhaustion, 2 of guys got sick and Ben (staff) had a kidney stone and ended up in the hospital. So it was a trying day for everyone.

but there was beauty and a great point of interest. Pico River canyon - absolutely beautiful with river running through it.

For lunch, we ate at Judge Roy Bean's museum... remember him? All the criminals had a trial with a monetary fine which Judge Roy Bean pocketed. Here is a pic of the saloon where he held court.

Today's ride was 73 miles with very strong cross winds. the kind that you have to hold onto your handle bars and hope the wind doesn't put you into the ditch. One of the riders was too freaked out to ride it out and so he sagged in....
Tonite we are in Ft Clark Springs... an old Calvary post dating back to the 1800's, Beautiful stone structures that were renovated into paying rooms. No tenting tonite... how lucky are we...

Road to Sanderson

Today was a 55 mile ride with some headwinds and a few inclines. Besides the horizon with the mountains were the buffalo... It was quite cute as we came upon them - a mother took her baby away from us...

Tomorrow is going to be a 77 mile ride with hills (finally) but it is going to be very hot...will let you know how it goes. Remember we are getting into a remote area of Texas so I may not be able to blog for a few days. Not sure what campsite that starts...

I promised you a pic of the "riders in the buff"... so here it is...

Bubba has a friend that is starting a new business making and selling buffs. He gave Bubba a bunch of them for us and so we put them on our heads and he took the pic......(smile)...../we originally were going to wear them in the different styles but they were too hot. How we do amuse ourselves... Tonite we had chicken dinner at the gas station/restaurant in Sanderson. I guess this is quite common in the Texas area.

Big Bend National Park, Tx

We took of this morning for a full day of sightseeing at Big Bend. What a beautful area. I guess I think of parks as having trees and grass somewhere but this park is not like that. It is thousands of acres of vegetation and mountains and rock. no trees and definitely no grass. I took some pics but it doesn't do it justice. Here's a pic of us at the entrance to the park.

We rode down to the Rio Grande River - one side US and the other side Mexico. There is a sign that states that this area is not a legal port of entry and if found crossing the river - we are illegal. course Dawn and Gopher both waded across. The river is way down and very low. I guess the border patrol isn't too worried about illegals crossing at this area as to come from Mexico they have to climb over some very steep high cliffs.

We saw a javeline crossing the road on the road back and I've seen several Road Runners in the last week....

Tomorrow is a 55 mile day on our way to Sanderson. My understanding is that we will be sharing a sight with the trains. I bet we get lots of sleep. I will say the trains run regularly in the South and usually at nite when you're trying to sleep. I'm down at the kitchen area and realized I forgot to load my "riders in the buff" picture. You'll have to wwait until tomorrow....