LaGrange to Richards, TX

We had a beautiful 88 mile ride from LaGrange to Richards - light wind, partly sunny, and temp in the 60's. Wild flowers lined th roads for entire ride. The blue flowers are "Blue Bonnets"; the reds are "Indian Paintbrus"; I believe that the yellows are "Hibiscus Daisies".

Along the route, we passed through Navasota, where Frank Hammer had been sheriff.  Frank Hammer was responsible for the capture/killing of Bonnie and Clyde.  According to Bubba, Hammer is still one of the most reveered lawmen of all time.

Legrange, TX - Soggy Day

We biked the entire 58 miles from Lockhart to Lagrange in rain showers. The high temp for the day was only 63.  Everyone is now showered, dry and enjoying an end of day beer.  Bubba arranged for us to overnight at the Community Center instead of camping out.  Everyone is very pleased to spend the night in a dry auditorium instead of a soggy tent.

Tommorrw's forecast is partly sunny, 20% chance of rain :).   We  really need this because we have a long 88 mile route.

Lockhart, TX - April 5

Had a great time riding with nephew Jeremy today.  Jeremy lives in Austin and drove up in the early am to meet us in Blanco for the start of the ride. He joined my regular riding group of Jim, Doug & Sue.

We had cool weather and overcast skies for all of the 62 mile ride from Blanco to Lockhart. Our lunch stop today was the "Texas Pie Co.", where I had a slice of excellent Blackberry pie. Since it was a short day, we finished by 2:30 and stopped at Lilli's bar in Lockhart for a couple of beers.  Lilli's was a good old honkey tonk bar with jars of pickled eggs and pig's feet on the bar, C & W on the juke box, and a couple of pool tables in the back.

After dinner, Bubba arranged for Bill McArthur to discuss his experiences with the space program.  A few years ago, Bill had spent 190 days aboard the international space station.  It was great to discuss Bill's first hand stories and recollections.

Tomorrow, the weather forecast is showing a high probability of rain. So we may be pedaling in the cool, damp Hill Country.  We have yet to ride in rain, and I realize that we may not be able to dodge this bullet forever. 

Blanco, TX - April 4

Looking forward to riding with nephew Jeremy tomorrow. 

We had a good day today. Had challenging hills and headwinds, but the scenery was wonderful. -- Chance of rain in the forecast tomorrow, so keeping fingers crossed. -- as usual, Ann fixed another marvelous dinner: clam chowder for appetizer, cube steak, gravy, egg noodles, broccoli frittata, garden salad, chocolate cake & Ice cream. Really have no idea if I will gain/loose weight on this trip!

Our morning SAG stop was at a delightful coffee shop in Comfort, TX.  We all thought this this was a small town that we could retire to.  Lunch was at small cafe/market in Sisterdale. The shop owner informed us that the town name referred to the towns georgraphy, that it was a "dale" located between two "sisters". 

Halfway There! - Hunt Texas - April 3

On our way to Kerrville, we passed by the "boot fence", which marks the halfway point of our journey to St. Augustine.

We had a beautiful 70 mile ride through the "Hill Country", with almost perfect riding conditions": overcast skies, temperature in the 70's, and rolling hills. As we travelled through the Guadalupe River Valley, we passed by many impressive homes and horse farms. We talked with several local residents, and were told that many of the homes were vacation residences.  Further, that the area housed many summer camps which catered to wealthy Texas families. 

Riverbend Resort - Camille Sanders

After dinner we had an impromptu concert by Camille Sanders, accompanied by "Captain", the crew chief of the young lads that setup our camp each day.  Camille is the daughter of the owners of Riverbend. 

Camille is a talented young musician, who recently starred in a TV movie with Dolly Parton.  She remined me very much of Allyson Krauss. -- This was totally unexpected out here in this remote area of Texas. 

Riverbend Resort - Concan, TX - rest day

A The group spent April 2nd at a remote river resort.  This was a rest day, with no agenda.  This was exactly what we needed after our ordeal of crossing the desert and headwinds of West Texas.  

The change in the landscape is truly amazing.  In the 70 miles from Brackettville to Concan, we left behind the cactus and dust and now have green grass and trees.  We are at a lower altitude, and the temperatures have warmed considerably.  Nighttime lows are in the 60's, and afternoon temps in the 80's.