Monday, October 31, 2011

Day #36, 37 & 38 - Deep in the Heart of Texas

After a weekend of not going online, I have some catchin' up to do!  Friday morning Kevin and the gang left Hunt, TX and traveled 78.5 miles to Camp Wood.  Saturday they went from Camp Wood to just outside of Del Rio for another 85 miles. On Sunday they left Del Rio and ended the day around 90 miles later in Dryden, TX. Whew!  
A little while out of Hunt they saw this fence decorated with boots that went on for about a 1/2 mile.  I did a little research online to see if I could find the meaning behind this roadside display and as far as I can tell, the people of Hunt started a tradition of placing old cowboy boots (and various other footwear) on the fence to bring a feeling of community and something of interest to the area.  
By taking discarded footwear and placing them of the fence rather than in the garbage they've created a form of art and a memory of Hunt for those passing by.  Nice idea!
You can see by the terrain map and by this picture, they hit some decent size hills on the 2nd half of that first day.
Jim and Jeff found a beautiful camp site in Camp Wood right by the lake for Friday night.
The mornings have started out downright cold in the 30's but have been warming up to around 70 during the day.  Even after warming up, teeth still chatter because the roads are very, very rough!
At one point over the weekend Kevin and Emi noticed a dirt road following the paved road and decided to see if it was any smoother - YES it was!  So they did a little mountain biking on their road bikes!
Jeff stopped for a photo OP by the Del Rio Air Force Base.
At the Three Rivers RV Park outside of Del Rio they had a little furry visitor stop by to say hello!
The days have been sunny and mild after warming up and the scenery has just been beautiful.  Overall, the past three days have been very productive with over 250 miles pedaled across the great state of Texas.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Day #35 - Let it Rain

Kevin left Blanco Bowling Club yesterday morning (10/27/11) from the parking lot where they camped the previous night.
They stopped for a quick picture in front of Blanco Town Hall.  
The day was cloudy and rain was in the local weather forecast.
Rain is exactly what that part of our country needs and they're advertising for it on billboards! Unfortunately for Texas, the rain held off during the ride, though it did get cooler and windier as the day rolled on.  
From Blanco to the final stop for the day in Hunt, TX another 70 miles went down in the log book.  

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Day #34 - Back in the Saddle Again!

They're back in the saddle again.
Out where a friend is a friend (Jeff putting his ducks in a row).
Where the Longhorn cattle feed on the lowly gypsum weed.
Back in the saddle again.
Ridin' the range once more, totin' his old 44 (please say that ain't so!).  Where you sleep out every night (last night behind a bowling alley), and the only law is right!  Back in the saddle again.  Yeah, I butchered Gene Autry's song...  The Blanco Bowling Club had 3 kids at the rear of the alleys manually setting up the pins!  Maybe if automatic pin setters were OUTLAWED we could lower the unemployement rate?  Just a thought.
Yesterday the posse traveled from Austin to Blanco, TX and logged 70 more miles in their cross-country quest.  Whoop-ty-aye-oh!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Day #33 - And on the 33rd Day, He RESTED!

Tuesday was a 1st since this journey began - a day of rest?  Hmmm...after speaking with Kevin several times during the day it certainly didn't seem like he was kicking back and relaxing!  Far from it!  (I know none of you are surprised by that either)
First things first - laundry!  Down to nearly nothing, it had to be done.  That chore out of the way - next stop was University Cyclery in Austin.  Kevin's bike was hurting!  New gear cluster, new chain, adjusted brakes and ready to go again.
Casey MacNiven, a Hamptons native and Austin transplant, works at University Cyclery and really helped Kevin out.  What a small world!
Jeff decided to show off his gams and cowboy boots!  Whoa Nellie!
Can't take him anywhere!  Why am I thirsty all of a sudden...
During the day they got to see a little more of Austin including the State Capital.
Some more Longhorn Cattle!

Later on Kevin, Jim and Jeff met up with Danny Campsey and Marc Waugh (KHPH customers and Proud Supporters!) while Emi was visiting with a couple of her good friends. Nice day off - back in the saddle on Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Day #32 - Texas Tea

I know the bus burns up a lot of gas but no, you can't buy it directly from the source!
Oh wait a minute!  Is that a chain cutter?  I don't think Jeff had BUYING in mind!  Don't worry Jeff, Kevin will bail you out! (I think)
Texas is living up to it's reputation - besides oil derricks, chuck wagons, old west towns and wide open spaces - IT IS HOT!  Yesterday it got close to 100 degrees.  Yikes!  I know I'd be hiding in the air conditioning!  
Over the course of the day Kevin and Emi rode through the remnants of the recent Texas wildfires.  Thousands and thousands of acres of trees and land were burned along with over a thousand homes during the five weeks the fires raged.
They also crossed the Colorado River in Bastrop and stopped to say hello to a Texas Longhorn!
Starting in Sommerville and ending in McKinney State Park (about 6 miles from Austin), they rode a total of  92 miles on Monday despite the heat!  Crank up the a/c in the bus - time to chill out!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Day #31 - Wild, Wild West

Day 31 had a rainy start as Kevin and Emi left New Waverly, TX on Sunday morning.
During the day, however, the sky did clear and the wind did pick up.
Though the roads were on the bumpy side they did ride through some scenic Old West towns along the way.
When they stopped for the day in Sommerville, TX they had moved another 78 miles closer to San Diego!  Monday should bring the group to the much anticipated city of Austin!
Somerville Lake, TX

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Day #30 - Saturday in Texas

Day #2 in Texas started in Kountze from the parking lot of the Super 8 Hotel where the bus parked for the previous night.  Morning clouds gave way to clear blue skies and temperatures inched up towards 90.
Pit stops for re-hydration along the way were the order of business for the day.  84 miles later the group stopped for the night in New Waverly, TX.
Time to air out the feet and kick back and relax!  Whoa partner!  Nice tan lines!  Guess he can't pedal in flip flops?
The New Waverly Fire Station offered their parking lot for the night just as the Super 8 had the night before.  We certainly appreciate all the hospitality we have received along the way!  Just awesome!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Day #29 - Hitch Up the Chuck Wagon and We'll Ride Away

Don't ask me how I knew this was a song, I just had a feeling.  Did some research and sure enough, it's a Carlene Carter song - Baby Ride Easy.  Well, believe it or not Kevin and Emi are in Texas AND lo and behold, a chuck wagon!
They crossed into Texas 20 miles into the ride on Friday.
Shortly thereafter they crossed the Sabine River.
Such a pretty day!  Like you might imagine, the road before them stretched out long and strait and flat!  Texas is the 2nd largest state in the US, spanning over 250,000 square miles. The Southern Tier trail runs approximately 1000 miles across Texas.  Whew!  Everything IS bigger in Texas!
Friday Kevin and Emi pedaled from DeRidder, LA to Kountze, TX for a total of 84 miles. They have now ridden over 2,000 miles which means they've passed the half-way mark! Congratulations!  We are so proud of you both!  Ride on!