Today is day #14, and we have completed 600 miles of cycling. Molly and I are enjoying a unique activity in College Station today, rest. Yes, we will not bike tour today. Instead a trip over to the President George H.W. Bush Library is in order. We wish the former President God’s blessing upon the death of his wife yesterday.

Rest means two nights in the same spot, and taking it easy in the morning. Last night’s sleep was enjoyed even that much more given the prior night had been spent sleeping on the ground while camping at a Texas State Park. When one visits parks in the Spring, there are no crowds with which to contend. There was only one other couple camped out, and they were far away from our site. I even had a cool nature experience. When walking over to the washrooms to brush my teeth, I first circled back to our site and grabbed my camaera. Boy was I glad I made that decision for I saw the first live Armadillo of my life. Three years ago while touring Texas up to Missouri all I ever saw was roadkill. (read daily bike diary)

My Armadillo

Biking a remote road yesterday

Our Bicycle Tour Route Through Today

When touring by bike one needs patience and the hope the birds will come to you. Additionally as Molly is not a birder, my time for “bird stops” is limited. Thankfully over the past 24 hours 3 cool species of birds were very cooperative. We have now completed 457 miles after 11 days of touring … which includes a short day ride at my relative’s farm.

Scissor Tailed Flycatcher at Sunset

Crested Caracara at the Roadkill Cafe

Today’s Wildflower Photo … Still tens and tens of thousands of wildflowers along the roadside!

Suntan lotion going on …

Cattle Egrets … with and without cows … apparently touring cyclists are scary.

Molly and I at the monument for the location where the first shots were fired in the Texas War of Independence against Mexico … just happened to be along our route and we needed a break.

Sit back, young buck, and let me regale you with tales of the Texas Hill Country. This region is noted for hills, and in the spring, when the time is right … wildflowers! (see prior post) The characters in our fine story are two love birds from northern Minnesota who escaped the late winter to enjoy some Texas hospitality with a capital “T”.

Last night they stayed an an oil workers lodge. Now you might think this would be an odd place to spend a night, but you would be wrong. The staff and other guests loved their northern biker crowd (i.e. us). We talked long after supper with the manager’s children. We scared them with tales of the Northland where ice reigns supreme in mid April!

While cycling, our couple watched Crested Caracaras courting. In addition, as we tired, Black Vultures watched over our northern cyclists. Would they survive the Texas Heat and their 50+ mile rides?

Local cyclists stopped and talked with our northern couple. Who was this strange team with 25 pounds of gear on their bikes? A fantastic retired couple in Kerrville even hosted Rich and Molly one night … providing excellent food, wine and conversation. Yes … cycling tours means good stories. One meets and sees America, and discovers our land and its people are wonderful.

Oh … and should you lose some of your gear … remember Amazon delivers all over the country … even to lockers located at gas stations right along the highway. Life is good.