We got into Johnson City just before a quick thunder and hail storm and were greeted by Fred and their cat Freddie and watched the storm from the back porch with a few beers as we got acquainted.
After a beer, John and I both took showers and joined Fred, the cook of the house, and Janice who was home from work, at the dinner table for some spaghetti with zucchini and venison sausage and garlic bread.
Later that night we got to watch the NCAA Championship game with Fred and then hit the sack. (We each got wonderful beds!)
In the morning we were treated with banana pancakes, orange juice and coffee before we departed.
Morning of day 27: Banana Pancakes, OJ and Coffee at Janice and Fred's, Kerrville
Our wonderful hosts in Kerrville, Fred and Janice
Climbing Hills....
Texas rolling hills....
Leaving Kerrville we knew we were in for some pretty serious climbs and after the good breakfast we hit them pretty hard. The day consisted of 3 big climbs. The first was straight up and over a pass with no switchbacks and dropped us down to about 4 mph. That climb took us about 15 minutes and then it leveled and then dropped down into a valley again. Climb two was about the same size but had some switchbacks so we took that at 5 mph and it took us about 12 minutes. The last climb was about a 1,000 foot climb over about 2 miles and then we dropped into a valley and cruised to our warmshowers host in Montell, Alice.
We called Alice when we were about 10 miles away to ask if we could stay with her and without hesitation she told us to come on over. When I asked what the address was she replied, "Honey, this is the country we don't have addresses. Drive into town passed the Church and look left. It's the big red house behind the local store."
We continue to be amazed by the generosity of complete strangers.
When we got to her house Alice had us do some "honey, do's" for her as she called it.. i.e. We had to move a mattress and bed frame from a storage area to her upstairs loft/apartment that was currently vacant.... i.e. Another night with a bed! Winning!
Other highlights from the night were that we saw 2 cyclists riding the opposite way down the road and ran out to flag them down so they could join us for dinner and spend the night. Maeg and John were traveling East going to Florida and we spent a fantastic night with them and Alice. Alice kept apologizing for the dinner which she didn't think was adequate, but was well beyond... We had steak and chicken grilled on her outdoor grill, spaghetti and meatballs, rice pilaf, chips and salsa and tortilla shells... A bikers haven!
Sunrise at Alice's house in Montell
We parted ways with Maeg and John in the morning after a few pots of coffee. Alice left for work early in the morning and left the house open for us so that we could use the kitchen in the morning and we literally made 3 pots of coffee before departing.
From Montell we rode to Del Rio where we were able to camp behind the Elks Lodge right in town. We enjoyed some beers in the lodge with some of the other members and got a pizza and were even able to cook some rice and beans in the back kitchen before we called it a night there.
Day 29 was a pretty epic day... We woke up before the sun in the morning and were riding as the sun came up. We had the wind at our backs and pushed 60 miles before we stopped for lunch at 12 noon in Langtry. After an hour and a half break we got back on the bikes and rode another 65 miles to complete our 125 mile day. Other highlights from this day were the crossing of the Pecos River and finishing this ride.... Never again! We ended the night in Sanderson, got some food at a local diner, and passed out in our tents at a local RV Park...
Day 30 was a nice 56-mile day from Sanderson to a hostel in Marathon called La Loma Del Chivo. This is definitely one of the more unique and cool places I have seen. We are in for an interesting and fun Friday night here..
Day 27: Kerrville to Montell (95 miles)
Day 28: Montell to Del Rio (70 miles)
Day 29: Del Rio to Sanderson (125 miles)
Day 30: Sanderson to Marathon (56 miles)
Did you write Charlie a note in that last place you stayed? I love Cheese?
ReplyDeleteThat was my subliminal message to him... Thanks for putting out in the open ya big jerk!
ReplyDelete