BIKE TOUR

I woke late today because I'd been up late uploading pictures. But it needed to be done. I ate my leftover pizza and rolled on down RR337. It wasn't long before I saw cyclists. THen there were more. One, Oscar, stopped to tell me that they were all from Austin and staying at Lost Maples. One motorcyclist flipped his visor sheild open to tell me that I was cheating. It was good humored, but sometimes motorcyclists need to shut up. I was walking my bike up the hillls. They call it hill country for a reason and it is extremely beautiful. Course the only pictures I took today were of a cave like formation on the edgeof the road. I made it to Lost Maples and they were booked up. But I asked anyway and then lingered. Something opened up and by four I was hitting the showers. The humidity has increased. Then I napped. I was tired. THe twenty miles really took it out of me. At 7 I rose to see if I could find the group of 30 cyclists... how could they hide really? THere they were, all s

I began to memorize some Frost today. If you're traveling alone, you really need something like that to keep you sane. Otherwise I think about things that I shouldn't. Love, for example... Trust me, love is something that can make you crazy when you haven't spoken with anyone in the last 6 hours. The best you've gotten is a head nod or a steering wheel wave. But at least I can no longer call the countryside barren or endearing. Cedar bushes are prevalent and sucking up the ranchers' water. But in case you were ever going to ask, the descents are worth the climb. Those fleeting moments down curvy chutes are worth every minute spent going 2.5 mph walking my bike up the other side. And I take pictures. That breaks things up. I eat carrots too. If you want your faith in humankind restored, just take a bicycle trip. The hospitality I have been given tonight is characteristic of everyone I've met. I was eating my ice cream cone: waffle, one scoop mint chip, one scoop

Don't laugh. Don't point. Don't tell and no pictures. Those were my instructions regarding nudity and the hot tub. After fixing two flats list morning from yesterday's ramble through the woods, the wine and the water are a welcome sight. Here at Lazy Laguna Lodge, your room includes a tour of the pecan grove, the river, and the pig a neighbor just shot. They weren't expecting me, but then the map had a B+B marked at the intersection with 55. I had to investigate. There wasn't a sign, but David drove up and filled me in. They only really cater to the cyclists who use the ACA maps. It's the only place they advertise... wouldn't want too much business here. The ranch I'd been riding past and took pictures of is theirs. They knew exactly which bush had the pink flowers. I didn't quite make it to Camp Wood, but the smoked BBQ beef and chicken was phenomenal and you just cant pass up an authentic rifle toting ride around a ranch on a Ranger (suped up g

bead board bathroom Ramada bottles cap on a string office shower ring I took two showers today. I feel spoiled. I drank my paper towel filtered coffee, it was ginger nut good. Ann read about the other side of George Washington as I packed. As I put on my sunscreen, I really wondered who would be the next Australian top model. It was more amusing than learning about the woman who brought plastic surgery out of the closet. The day was warm as I pedaled past Laughlin Air Force base. I read the four historical markers while eating canned peaches. Jet engines ripped apart the sky above. I thought the silence might never heal. But here I sit next to a fire nestled amongst trees at Fort Clark Springs. Sean, Sue, and Linda found me at the post office. They have permanent lots for RV's here where turkeys and deer run rampant. Harley Davidson, a year old terrier, rambled around on rope, while Linda and Sean fed me spaghetti cooked on a Coleman. They like to eat out as much as possible. When

I started my rest day in Del Rio with a navel orange and cream cheese bagel. Ann took me over to the high school. She felt very assured that this would be easy. Sitting in the HR office picking at the paperwork, I would disagree. Perhaps I did it to humor my host. I didn't even have all the information I needed. We came back to the apartment and I sank into the couch. I watch Gilmore Girls while Ann napped. I think it was the episode where Rori has an affair with a married man then leaves for Europe with her grandmother. Ann woke and walked to work for four hours tutoring fourth graders. I made phone calls, went to the library, and generally relaxed. I told Ann that I'd be leaving in the morning. She seemed to think I should still apply. She left for the library and came back with a copy of the FAFSA and a road trip guide to dining. She's not insistent at all... You can't fault her for being encouraging. We made elbow noodles, venison patties, and corn for dinner. It wa

I keep forgetting to write about the man I met who worked at the Marathon Coffee Shop. He is related to Bill Wyant who is in the administration of the South Kitsap School District(the district I grew up in). He is also related to Mike Wyant who was in band. I can't quite peg him but I have my suspicions. The muffins were wonderful at the cafe. I packed up this morning with the intention of eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich today. After passing over the Amistad Reservoir and stopping at Lakeside Sports to have a clinking checked out, I bought the ingredients. H.E.B. is the name of the non-Walmart option in Del Rio. Apparently they are all over Texas. Next stop: public library Internet access. But let me back track. We met Joe at breakfast. Joe is an Oregonian riding from Phoenix to Austin. We chatted with him over mini-pies and rolled all the way to Del Rio with him. While I was getting my clink checked out, (nice folks at the bike shop by the way) Joe moved on to the librar

The local mechanic/beer fan picked up the phone and asked, "what are you wearing?" I think he was talking to a friend because now they're talking about boat motors. Plus on speakerphone he/she didn't sound too feminine. To be fair he likes to fish. His buddy, Martin, calls again. "What are you wearing now?" "Purple." This is Comstock. We're staying on the lawn of the baptist church. The neighborhood is quiet and the birds sing. Country music plays on the TV. The church is currently without Pastor. the canyon at my back touching through the tint rainbow reflected in reflector beautiful blackness up between the pebbles like lint between my toes smooth surface 1301.0 odo - 9.3 ave - 27.7 max - 3:17:55 time