Riding a Motorcycle on a daily basis is a Win, Win for everyone. It cuts fuel consumption, reduces emissions, reduces congestion on the highways and frees up more parking. You can download an invitation to your work friends, challenging them to ride to work and pose for a group photo.
Click on the Poster image to learn more about Ride to Work Day & get free materials.
This year my Department is hosting a Motorcycle Skills Competition, so I will be heading to California to be one of the judges. So far there are 80 entries, so it should be a pretty good show. If you get chance and would like to see some skilled riders, you should watch a Skills Competition sometime.
Click on the pic to learn more.
This company has “Foxes in the Hen House”. I ordered a replacement part for my Poulon machine last week over the phone. Two days later there were several attempts to order items on the same credit card, $3k for Jewelry and $700 at Bed Bath and Beyond, for delivery in a city near their location. There is no way to contact the company to let them know other than to call but you don’t know who the crooks are. Their web address is: http://www.poulanpro.com/
The bottom line is never give a credit car number over the phone and insist they use Pay Pal. Pay Pal doesn’t let the Business know your account numbers and is the safest way to purchase online.
A little slide show I posted on Facebook a couple of years ago. A majority of the pics I took, some borrowed from friends. There are a couple of duplicate pics in the beginning but when I made the slide show, its all I had at the time. I had to stretch the show out to match the length of the song.
I thought I would recirculate this and get the juices flowing for another year of riding.
Airshow season is here. There are many shows across the country that you can attend near you. An airshow is a blend of the spectacular but also a place where young and old alike can share a common bond for the fascination of flight and it’s history. It’s a gathering place for Veterans who can reminisce and a living museum for things that may never be again.If you’ve never been, put it on the list.
Here a cool video which embodies my sentiment. Enjoy.
I was going through some old pics and made this slide show on Windows Movie Maker. Just a collection of some of the bikes I rode while living and working in California until moving to Texas in 2007.
I hope you enjoy. You need to have Windows Media Player or be able to play .wmv files.
If you ever plan to ride California, here is a great resource and it has a great Forum. Pashnit
Check out Hwy 36, it is one of my favorites roads in Northern, Ca. It has, or had everything. My favorite was the first 170 miles from the coast inland with twisties, sweepers and long undulating curves. Click on this image for a link to the roads, easy to navigate.
Although I enjoyed living in California, I don’t miss much. And if I do, its only four fuel tanks away.
To watch my slide show click the pic:
Mac on his GL1800 on our way to the Annual Deming Veterans Day Gathering in 2011.
Recently Mac (Dave McAfee), a friend and avid motorcyclist, shared some of his Vietnam experiences with me over lunch.
Mac was a R.O. (Radio Operator) for an Airborne Cavalry Unit. If you can knock off the enemies radio or communication, you can cripple them. So being a R.O. is like being a Bullet Magnet.
Mac also showed me some photos he took and allowed me to scan some. I made this small tribute for him using his photos. Just click on this link……MAC
Note: You will need to have Windows Media Player to view this video, as it has a .wmv extension. Nice music, so turn up your speakers.
You can tell Mac was a lifer, he even had U.S. Army embossed on his forehead. Actually they are dents from his helmet liner after a 8 hour ride to Jal N.M..
Our Veterans have played many roles and filled many niches in our Military History. It is important to recognize each and every one of them and the parts they played in the big picture. Here is one of those stories.
Don Snell, Artist, Sculptor, posing with my 2012 Tour of Honor Flag after my first site visit. In 2011, Don was honored by his peers and his work is currently on display at the Georgetown Library in Georgetown, Tx.
Don Snell is a renowned local Artist living in Georgetown, Tx with his wife Ruth and are fixtures in the local community. Don and Ruth are some of my Coffee Shop Buddies, with whom news and philosophy is discussed. Don recently celebrated his 90th Birthday and I was honored to be invited and attend his Birthday Party. Don said he became an Artist because it was one way he could look at naked women without much controversy.
As you can see by Don’s photograph, he is very unassuming. Most would discount this slightly built man as a Veteran, let alone a Veteran of WW2. When I first met Don a few years back, I deduced that Don may be a retired Professor from the local University. His table was always surrounded by others who were I assumed, hoping to gain some of Don’s knowledge and talent via osmosis. I wasn’t too far off to learn he had taught Art at College in Houston and the hovering was just because Don is cool to be around. Although I find Don’s subject matter (Paintings & Sculptures) to be rather macabre, they are fascinating and often contain naked women which is okay with me.
Don related to me some of his experiences with Uncle Sam, so I thought I would share them with you.
In late 1939 and early 1940, Don was obviously much younger but still very slight in build and unique in personality. Don was trying to figure out how he could secure some money and figured Uncle Sam was the ticket. Food, clothing, a clean bed and a steady pay check. So in 1940, Don joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, later the USAAF and in 1947 the USAF. Don really wasn’t expecting a lot of excitement although the rest of the World was at War and the U.S. was still neutral.
Don was an enigma to the government who tried to figure out a place for him in the pre-WW2 Armed Forces. While the remainder of the Services bolstered for the upcoming brawl, Don was placed into Special Services where he would entertain the troops and be a lesser threat to national security. Due to Don’s stature and demeanor he was often relegated to playing the female roles during performances, in the all male military. Don freely admits he is no Audie Murphy and seems to take pride he perplexed Uncle Sam so much.
When WW2 broke out, Don was shipped to England. In early June of 1944, a competition (Talent Show) was devised pitting the Special Services Units from England, against those stationed in Scotland and Ireland. Winner of this competition would get a 6 month Gig entertaining Troops in London, gravy duty for a time of war.
Of course, Don played the female role in this talent show as General Jimmy Doolittle watched from the front row. Doolittle was a celebrity at the time and was brought in to take over and revise the floundering U.S. Strategic Bombing Campaign in Europe. Thus, Don’s night was destined to be memorable.
As it worked out, Don’s group won the talent show and they were to be featured in the London Press on the following day’s editions and radio, a full write up with pictures, one of the biggest things to happen to Don at this point in his life.
The next day Don awoke, he discovered it was, June 6th, 1944, D-Day! Don’s stellar achievement was over shadowed by one of the greatest events in history and Don was cheated of his 15 seconds of fame and glory. Don finished his Military Service as far from Combat as possible and later manned a Radio Station for Armed Forces Radio.
Thank you for your Military Service Don!
So far I have knocked off two of the seven sites for my own personal 2012 Tour of Honor ride, while Merritt Francies secured a third place trophy for being one of the first three to finish Texas and Glenn Copeland did a three state run, taking first to finish in Texas, Kansas and 2nd in Oklahoma. See Rider List for more details.
Veterans Memorial, Florence, Tx
The Florence Veterans Mural painted by the locals
The Florentines who gave their all
If you gotta eat in Florence, eat here at the Flamming Grill BBQ…great ribs and burgers.
My 4.7 mile ride to the Florence, Tx Memorial site from my ranch was a parody compared to what Glenn and Merritt did. But I turned it into lunch and took a productive nap afterward.
I just picked up the Fredericksburg, Tx Memorial site and that I documented on the Blue Knights of Texas Chapter 30 site.
Check it here.
Here is the map of last Saturdays ride (4 April 2012). About 240 miles plus change.
9 hours ago the 2012 Tour of Honor Ride sites were released here in Texas at 2200 hrs CMT or 0001 hrs PST and those riders vying for Trophies are on the road.
It may not be too late to get a Trophy for your state.
Here is the list of Texas Sites
Here is one routing option for riding Texas from the Austin Area. Approx 1,538 miles. The beauty of this ride is you can make it what ever you want.
Good luck to those Trophy Hunters and to everyone else, Good Luck and Ride Safe!
Feiday March, 30th is Welcome Home a Vietnam Vet Day.
Take the time to Thank our Vietnam Vets for their sacrifice.
Returning back to the Ranch late at night. Its been a weird winter with spring like temperatures here in Central Texas/
Well folks I have been lacking in the Web Arena over the last year, mostly due to Face Book. I’ve spent a bulk of my time posting my doings there instead of my own Web Space.
I’m kind of burnt out from my Travels and hope to concentrate on some shorter rides, in order to get some projects done at home, restoring a 1973 Rokon Ranger and a 1953 M38A1 Jeep.
Besides hosting the Texas 2012 Tour of Honor Ride, I’ve been working on my Military Museum.
I am working on a Special Interest piece on Celebrities in the Military and some of the additions to my Museum.
I also am replacing most of the auxiliary lighting on my machines with LED lights from Clearwater. I’ll have more on those pricey tidbits later.
For immediate Rides, I plan on doing the TWT Pie Run to Hico, this month, The HOT Rally in April and the IBA National Meet in Denver this summer.
Ride safe and see you on the road!
Why don’t they just let us have the Trans Alp?
It’s time to register for the 2012 Tour of Honor. I am the State Sponsor for Texas and picked the locations that will be selected as the 2012 Memorial Sites. Click on the Tour of Honor Banner to learn more and register.
Michael Hickman of Oklahoma has compiled a list and made a Portal to upcoming Rides and Rallies. Just click HERE
I left Monday and rode 1,500 miles to Utah and I am now in Salt Lake City for the Utah 1088 Rally.
This year the Rally is in three formats, a 36 hr, 24 hr and 12 hr. I will be in the 12 hour event, in which we will have to cover a minimum of 1088 miles during that time, while collecting as many bonus points as we can.
Here is a link to my personal SpotWalla page. KratzMc SpotWalla link
If you are prompted for a password, just enter “Kratzmc1088“ I will be #213 and my Buddy Glenn Copeland is number #203.
Here is a link to view all of the participants: 1088
Riders with 300 numbers are in the 36 hr format, Riders with 200 numbers are in the 34 hour event and those with 100 numbers are in the 12 hour event.
We launch tomorrow, June 25th at 0700 hrs and the finish line closed on Sunday the 26th at 0700 hrs.
Wish me luck and I hope I came up with a doable and successful route.
My Rally Gear
I’ll have more after the event, so stay tuned.
Monday June 20th, 2011 is Ride To Work Day. I’ll be riding to Salt Lake City Utah to compete in the Utah 1088 Rally. Ride your motorcycle to work or play to help raise awareness and to also reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Click on the Logo to learn more.
I am currently in Granbury Tx attending the Blue Knights Rio Grande Conference. This includes Members/Chapters from Arkasnas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Click on the picture of Lake Granbury to read my take at my Chapters Website.
During my down time I hope to update this site and finish my last two ride reports.
For my SPOT tracker on Spotwalla click HERE
29 April, 2011
Well I made a 277 mile ride from my home to Corpus Christi, Tx, my starting point for the Heart of Texas Rally. Corpus is an alternate starting spot for the rally and I will garner some additional points for starting from here and working my way to Brady Tx for the finish.
These are the Alternate Start Locations for the Rally. Although you can start anywhere in the State, if you start at one of these six locations, Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Lufkin, Paris, Amarillo or Odessa, you can claim extra points.
Click on pics to enlarge.
This is my planned route of 677 miles. I will be shooting for 11 bonuses and what ever other bonuses I can find along the way if time allows. I have 12 hours in order to complete my route.This doesn’t allow anytime to mess around and one SNAFU could lead to a DNF (Did Not Finish). According to the computer, my route should take 10 hrs and 46 minutes which doesn’t include stops.
Most of the Bonus locations I will be visiting are along the Historic Bridge Route. To collect the Bonuses, I must photograph the Bridges with my Rider flag in the picture or some object from the Bridge. I also have a small window of time to make a check point in Brady before 1600 hrs Central Time. 8 additional Bonus locations will be revealed to Riders choosing to do the Check Point Bonus.
You can also pick up additional points, 50 for stopping at a Whataburger and obtaining a purchase receipt. You can visit up to 10 Whataburgers for a maximum of 250 extra points. I will try to get as many of them as I can along the way.
Another surprise bonus is to run into 5 other motorcycle riders whom you don’t know or who are not in the Rally and have your photo taken with them. That Bonus has a high point value and is worthy to pursue.
I am reviewing my route and making “Rally Cards” (4″x6″) which have the bonus information, location and instructions on them. I will keep them on my Tank Bag for easy reference and they will serve as my notes. I used Microsoft Streets & Trips software to plot the locations of the Bonuses using Longitude and Latitude for more precise plotting. It has an optimize routing feature to make the a route the more efficient.
I made my Rally Flag out of my folder which contains my log, bonus sheets, maps, etc. This way I can keep all my paperwork together and organized. If you haven’t figure it out, I am Rider #35 out of 60 registered Riders. The Rally Flag must appear in any photograph I take to prove I did it.
I am ready except I forgot my plug adapter for my GPS, so I will be riding this rally “Old School” with paper maps and the maps I printed out. I stocked my motorcycle with water, food and snacks, as I do not have time to sit down for a meal, so I will eat while I ride in between collecting my Bonuses.
My friend and fellow competitor Glenn Copeland (#36) opted for a different route and will be starting his ride from Lufkin Tx. So far two other riders, one from Oklahoma and one from Florida will be also be starting from Lufkin with Glenn.
Well time to hit the sack. Up at 0500 hrs and on the road at 0601 hrs. My first stop is a fuel station to get a computerized fuel receipt which will document my start and top off my tank. I am looking forward to the finish and a nice sit down meal. It will be a welcome culmination for the day.
Click HERE to track me via Satellite on SPOTWALLA during the rally.
Saturday April 30th, I will be competing in the HOT (Heart of Texas) Rally. I will be starting from Corpus Christi, Tx @ 0600 hrs Central Time and must reach Brady Tx by 1800 hrs Central Time. The Bonus locations were released last night and my planned route is approx. 673 miles. You can track my progress via: SPOTWALLA
For information on the HOT Rally you can visit the site: Heart of Texas Rally.
Monday March 21st, 2011
I woke up after a good nights sleep and as usual thought about having a sit down breakfast. The goal for the day was to hit the last my Tour of Honor Sites for Southern Texas, which meant Harlingen just 258 miles down the road. Then I would start working my way home another 335 miles, or ride until I got tired. My normal protocol is usually to hit the road right away and ride about 30 minutes to an hour, since I’m not that hungry right after waking. When leaving Urban areas, this puts me that much farther down the road and through any commute traffic, so I can enjoy a nice relaxing meal.
From the Luther Hotel, I headed due north from downtown Palacios and followed Main St west. I was disappointed that my hopes of getting some good Vietnamese food would be unfulfilled but that’s part of the adventure. Take a chance and see what happens. I could have went through the newer part of town and rejoined Hwy 35 where all the new businesses and chain restaurants are but I knew that Main St would rejoin Hwy 35 just on the outskirts of town. As I was leaving town, I caught a neon “OPEN” sign out of the corner of my eye, a Cafe! I got another quarter mile down the road and then decided to turn around and grab my breakfast now. I parked my machine and walked into the Cafe, where I saw my first Vietnamese Person, Kim, the owner and proprietor.
Kims Kitchen, Palacios Texas
I was greeted by the Hispanic Waitress who gave me a menu and some coffee and I looked over the menu. There I only saw Chinese and American Cuisine. Then on the wall I saw the “Secret Menu”…Viet Food! Pictures even. There was the all delicious Vietnamese Sandwich called “Bánh mì”and Phở, pronounced “Fa” cuz the “o” has a thingy over it. If you have a “Bucket List”, you have to add Phở and B. The bread for Bánh mì is baked fresh daily, which is a toasted French Baguette made with wheat and rice flour. The texture is both crunchy on the outside but smooth and delicate on the inside. The Bánh mì is filled with the meat of your choice, and I prefer pork. Other items on the Bánh mì fresh parsley, julienne carrots and diacon, butter, etc. Bánh mì in French means “Salad Sandwich”. It is low in fat and refreshing and the mix of textures is a delight to the palate. If you are ever in Austin Texas and want to try one, you have to visit Lily’s Sandwich shop on South Lamar.
The Vietnamese Sandwich, Bánh mì
I informed Kim of my quest for a good Vietnamese dish in Matagorda County and although it was breakfast, she agreed to fix me a bowl of Phở. Phở is a delightful soup with a Beef Broth traditionally made from Ox tail. I like Rare Steak, Beef Tripe and Meatballs in mine. Also submerged in the hearty broth are rice noodles, parsley or cilantro, bean sprouts, basil, onions and sliced jalapenos. Kim whipped me up a steaming bowl of Chicken Phở. Happy as a Gulf Clam, I enjoyed my Phở while Kim and her two helpers entertained two of the Women folk from town. They were all having a good time gossiping, which was probably their main entertainment for the day. The all seemed excited and amazed that I was doing a 1,000 mile motorcycle ride by myself. I told them of my plans to take a Motorcycle Tour in Vietnam next year and that I blogged my ride experiences on the internet. They made me feel like a Rock Star, or I had just come from another planet. I think the Waitress was hitting on me. A short, stoutly built Latina Woman in her late 50’s, she was non-stop with the talking once I walked in. She said she was afraid of motorcycles but would ride with me anywhere. Although I wasn’t attracted to her, I am sure she would keep a good man cozy and warm on a cold winters night. With my belly full of authentic Vietnamese food from Palacios, I was convinced that life was good, so I bid the “Ladies of Palacios” adieu and resumed my quest to reach Harlingen.
The Ladies of Palacios
Phở, pronounced “Fa”
My next stop on the way was Port Lavaca for fuel and my first bathroom break. I crossed a bridge going westbound into Port Lavaca which traverses the inlet/bay and to the protected Harbor. There was a stiff north wind with gusts up to 20 mph and I could see the smaller boats fighting to remain anchored and maintain their courses. I pulled into the first fuel station on my right as I exited the bridge.
“I’d rather have a two-hour bladder and three hours of gas than vice versa”. This is a saying on one of my favorite Motorcycle Shirts.
I quickly filled up my fuel tank, parked and went inside to empty the other tank. As usual, I left my helmet and “Silky” helmet liner on the bike. I was getting a little drowsy from my breakfast so I got a Red Bull, did some stretching and caught up on some email. When I went to remount the machine, I noticed my helmet liner was missing. Briefly I looked around for a an obvious thief but realized that nobody would want to steal my sweaty, mineral encrusted rag. If someone was that desperate for such a ratty cloth then more power to em. Obviously swept away by the wind, I wrote it off rather than scouring the adjacent field, since it could be anywhere. If you ride long enough its only a matter of time before you will eventually leave or forget something at a fuel station.
Port Lavaca, Texas
From here to Harlingen, the road Hwy 77 becomes less interesting as you move inland a few miles. I had enjoyed the cool temperatures in the low 70’s along the coastline but it was beginning to warm up quickly. The temperature was climbing and finally reached 86 degrees by the time I reached Harlingen. The only thing I got to see on this leg of the ride was more traffic and later the desolation that West Texas is famous for. There were quite a few Border Patrol Units patrolling on ATV’s along both sides of the highway and there was an increased presence of LEO’s, so be on the alert when you are on this course. These were the first LEO’s I had seen in almost two days of riding, so I became more conscious of my road speed. As I neared Harlingen I noted my fuel level was down to the red line on the fuel meter. I thought I would be able to make it to Harlingen 30 more miles but my fuel light began flashing, which meant I was at the lower end of reserve. I decided to make my next stop in Raymondville around 1500 hrs.
img_1296
Video of my Fuel Gauge Flashing on Reserve. Quick time viewer required.
Next to the fuel station was a Golden Chicken Fast Food place, so I ordered 4 chicken legs and began eating them in the parking lot next to my Motorcycle. One of the employees came out to grab a smoke on his break. He said he liked my machine and asked where I was riding. I told him about my ride so far and what was to come and he seemed envious and amazed that I was riding alone. People always seemed to be shocked that someone would ride a long distances alone. I guess I never thought about it since at least for me, that’s part of what Motorcycling is all about. There are people where ever I go so I never feel alone. I’ve done multi-day, solo back pack trips which were more isolating, since you won’t see people for days. So I can understand that people who are insecure may not enjoy such ventures. I feel that when you travel with friends, you are less likely to interact with the natives and remain in a social bubble separating you from indigenous environment. I have many friends who seldom venture out on the road unless others are going but they are missing part of an experience you can’t describe. There are fewer things to go wrong and your experiences are broader when traveling by yourself. At least on a Motorcycle all you have to do is pull into a gas station, store, or restaurant and inevitably someone will ask you where you are going or where you’ve been.
Chicken Carnage
I had been to Harlingen before, so I knew my way to the Iwo Jima Memorial and it was just 21 miles down the road near the Airport. I was glad since I wouldn’t have to brave much traffic, being able to skirt the downtown areas. I quickly made my way to the Memorial for the Money Shot and saw that the Museum was open for another half an hour. I decided to visit it once again and get a souvenir. The first thing I did when I got in was to drop some cash in the donation box. I usually give at least $10 to every Military Museum as my small part to keep these things open. It is only through such donations that many places are able to preserve our history. Many others before me sacrificed more so it is my way to pay homage.
The Iwo Jima Memorial, Harlingen, Texas
The Iwo Jima Museum in Harlingen
The Museum is the size of a modern 4 bedroom home. As you enter to the immediate right is a Store and the Museum itself begins through a doorway on the left. There you can sign a guest register and proceed through the Museum on your own. I didn’t bother looking at the displays, since I had just been there last year but I did take time to visit with a Korean War Veteran, named Tom King. If you are lucky and you visit, you will get the honor of meeting a Marine Corps Veteran, who is usually seated near the first exhibits and the Guest Register. During my last visit I met a survivor of Guadacanal, Bouganville, Tarawa and Iwo Jima. I first thanked Tom for his service and told him about the Tour of Honor Ride and of my own Museum and quest to preserve Military History on my website. He seemed excited that I would appreciate and understand his wartime experiences and he just started talking about his experiences in Korea.
Me with Tom King, Korean War Veteran, Marine and American Hero
Tom was with the 1st Marine Division and served with the Marine Corps from 1946-1952. When the Korean war broke out, Tom was a Fleet Marine on board the new USS Jeaneau, with the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet. The original USS Jeaneau, is infamous for the Five Sullivan Brothers who were killed on the Jeaneau when it was sunk by the Japanese during WW2. Tom was with the lead element of the first Marine Division when they entered the Chosin Reservoir and said the only reason he was not wiped out initially during the Chinese attack was because the Chinese had hit their flanks. After the inital opening assault, Tom’s unit alone accounted for 500 enemy killed. During the 12 mile retreat it was 42 degrees below and were saved from annihilation by the supporting Air Strikes. Otherwise, they would have surely perished. Tom described the unforgettable site of frozen bodies littering the ground along their whole line of retreat. Later, Tom spent 9 months in a hospital being treated for frostbite to both feet and was discharged with a 100% disability for his injuries and was lucky to keep both of his feet. I was honored to hear Tom’s experiences and asked if he would pose for a picture with me. Tom thanked me for listening to him and my interest seemed to energize his spirit and he looked young again.
As I left Harlingen on this ride, I was thankful that I decided to do the Tour of Honor Ride. My experience with Tom was rewarding and special and if it hadn’t been for the ride, I would have never met him.
I back tracked north to make my way back home and when I reached Raymondville, I cut through town to Hwy 281 and proceeded north on an otherwise tranquil but uneventful ride. I reached New Braunfels by 2230 hrs and with only 90 miles left to go I was hungry and tired. I grabbed a late dinner at Denny’s and spent the rest of the evening at the Best Western just across the highway. I awoke after a good nights rest and finished my ride by stopping in Georgetown at the coffee shop from where I started, before riding the last 12 miles to my ranch.
With four of the seven Tour of Honor sites in Texas checked off my list, I look forward to planning my visits to the remaining three sites in Midland, Amarillo and Tyler.
My route on March 21st, 560 miles.
Total route 1098 miles plus change
Tomorrow morning Glenn Copeland and I head to meet another group of Riders in Death Valley, Ca. Our route home should take us through Southern Utah and other roads less traveled.
Click on the Spotwalla image to track our progress via Satellite Tracker.
Or you can track us via the classic SPOT site here. Where’s Zeke
I am in the planning stages for a visit to Vietnam next year, so its time to start doing some home work and get my Ducks in a row.
Click on the picture to see one of the Tour Companies based in Hanoi I am considering.
There is a grass roots effort put together to get Honda to bring the Trans Alp back into the U.S. after 20 years. I am imploring you help. Even if you don’t ride, help us who do and want this awesome machine.
Just take a few moments and follow the directions on this LINK: TRANS ALP
Sunday March 20th, 2011
I left Deer Park, Tx at 1000 hrs en-route to Harlingen, Tx for the last of the Southern sites for the 2011 TOH ride, the Iwo Jima Memorial. I would detour to Matagorda and Palacios in order to see the Gulf Coast and to grab some Vietnamese Food. Three years ago, I met a Ranch Hand on one of my first local rides, who was a former Fishing Guide in Matagorda. He told me these areas were the place to go for Viet Food. I remember controversies in the 70’s over the Vietnamese Refugees following the Vietnam War who had settled in the Gulf Region and were getting government assistance. They were competing with the locals in the Shrimping Trade which was causing a great deal of animosity. Visiting these areas was on my Bucket List so now was a good time to cross them off. I quickly skirted the Houston traffic and it being Sunday wasn’t hard to do. The weather was sunny, clear and in the low 70’s, so it had the makings for a good ride.
I made my way south on Hwy 288 from the Houston Metroplex and then headed due west from Angleton onto Hwy 35 to Bay City, Tx where I turned south onto Hwy 60.. These roads are typical rural roads, which reminded me of the coastal terrain in Louisiana. Lush, green with unique homes and plenty of mobile homes, this area is definitely a throw back and exudes a slower paced lifestyle. Being Sunday, any traffic was moving inland from the coast which made for a relaxing ride. As I grew closer to Matagorda, I envisioned the hearty Vietnamese Meal which awaited me.
This area in Matagorda County is rich with Texas History, having 10 places on the National Register and over 105 Historical Markers. Matagorda lies at the south end of Hwy 60 on Coast and Palacios is located northwest of Matagorda, is the 3rd oldest city/town in Texas. This coastal region is in its prime from April through Sept, so March is a great time to visit. As I reached the Matagorda City limits, I saw a large black Boar laying along side the right side of the road, a victim of a lost battle with a motor vehicle. I began doing a visual search for evidence of a Vietnamese community but so far no luck. There are actually very few businesses with most of the real estate taken up by vacation bungalows and homes on stilts. On the inlets I could see Shrimp Boats making there way inland and it spawned thoughts of Forest Gump and Bubba Gump Shrimp. The actual town is very small and is about 8 blocks square. I saw no evidence of a Vietnamese presence, so I continued on to the end of the road and the coastline. Leaving the town, you will cross a tall concrete bridge which takes you onto the paralleling Peninsula. I followed the Hwy 60 alont the Peninsula and only saw two restaurants.
A clue that you made it to Matagorda, Tx.
Riding South on Hwy 60 on the Matagorda Peninsula
The Beach and Pier
The Matagorda Bay Nature Park and the campground is just to the right.
A view of Matagorda proper from the Northbound side of the Matagorda Bridge that connects it to the Peninsula
Hwy 60 termintates at very well maintained public beach area and a State Wildlife park which has a clean, manicured campground and boat launch facilities. I vowed to return at a later date for a camp trip here but it will wait. There seemed to be about a 50% occupancy rate at the campground but I am sure when the summer arrives, it will be packed. Disappointed that I would not be finding any Vietnamese food in Matagorda, I decided to hold out for Palacios. I was getting hungry, so I back tracked into Matagorda and continued west on FM 521 which parallels the coast. This was a beautiful and relaxing road, epitomizing what a good motorcycle ride is all about. So far it was the best road I had been on in two days. As you continue west towards Palacios, you will pass a Nuclear Power Plant. With the current situation with the Tsunami/Quake in Japan, it made it a more interesting as usual, so I took a picture. The plant seemed very well secured and I could see small gardens and what looked like sensors and monitoring equipment near the gardens, located along the outer perimeter fence. I could only surmise that these gardens are monitored for radiation but that was just conjecture, since I really don’t know. I would later learn from Plant Workers than the plant had been shut down to fix some sort of emergency problem.
FM 521 and typical of the roads in this area
Our own troubled Nuclear Plant on FM 521
I arrived in Palacios about a half an hour later. Palacios seemed quiet and economically depressed but it was clean and well kept, unlike many of the poor towns in the South. I imagine the tourism trade helps keep the local economy going. I resumed my scan for a Vietnamese eatery but was coming up blank. I rode most of the blocks in town that would appear to house businesses and except for Mexican Restaurants a Dairy Queen and Sonic Drive In, there appeared to be few eateries. I made it to the coastline and saw a wonderful pier and public beach. Facing the shoreline I saw a large white wooden building, which looked like a old Government house or building. I would later learn that this was the Luther Hotel and the only game in town.
The Beach in Palacios…Don’t cut your feet on the Oyster Shells!
I was getting hungry, so I returned to the only eatery in town which appeared to have character and appeal, called the Outrigger Seafood Grill. With my craving for Viet food going unanswered, I figure I would be satisfied with some fresh Gulf Shrimp and Oysters. I prefer Gulf Shrimp over cold water shrimp as they seem to taste sweeter to me. I had missed the lunch hour as it was just after 1400 hrs, so I got to pick my table. There were four other occupied tables but these patrons appeared to be finishing their meals. Besides the seafood menu, there were boasts of having the best burger in town but disappointed I was not going to have the Vietnamese meal I had been fantasizing about, I was now set on having some fresh Gulf Shrimp. First I ordered some fresh boiled “Peel n Eat” Shrimp as an appetizer and a fried Gulf Shrimp and Fresh Oyster combo. Oysters are in season here from Nov to April, so I was in the groove. The combo also comes with fries and hugh puppies.
The Outrigger Seafood Grill
I had about an hour left and since I was one of the last customers for the day, the service was quick and indeed friendly. I asked the waitress if she knew any history about the area and about the Vietnamese Community. Unfortunately, the waitress was a recent transplant from Oklahoma so she was not familiar with the demographics or history of the town. I asked her if the owner was present and if I could speak with him about the area. In the meantime my meal arrived and I dug it. The “Peel n Eat” Shrimp was the bomb. Cooked to perfection and dipped in some pretty good cocktail sauce, I could eat that dish all day long. Just as I had finished the appetizer, the Combo lunch came out. Now I prefer Clam over Oysters but sometime I get a craving for fried Oysters, especially when they are fresh. I was not disappointed and these Oysters rivaled any I have had in the past. As I was finishing the last of my meal, the Owner, Wayne Dodd came over to my table and we made introductions. Wayne and his Wife Cheryl run the business and their Daughter Kelly is a professionally trained Chef, which showed.
The Peel n Eat Shrimp
The Fresh local Shrimp and Oyster Combination
Wayne gave me the run down on the local history and what happened with the Vietnamese Community. Mostly, those who had been able to make it Shrimping left and their children did not follow in their parents foot steps, electing to leave the area or go to college. I guess when you come to America to seek a better life, this seems to be the evolution. Wayne said there was one Vietnamese Fisherman left and there were a couple of others who operated a restaurant and local shop which sells Asian Groceries. It seems my fantasy of finding a Nirvana of Vietnamese Culinary delights in this area was now drowned. I told Wayne about my Tour of Honor Ride and he pointed out that there was a former Military Base which was the center of the community in the past. The base, Camp Hulen was now closed and it had been sold to real estate developers but money was running out. Wayne said there was a Historical Marker just down the highway I could visit. Wayne also said that if I wanted to stay, the Luther Hotel was the only game in town. It had some history and that the owner, Karl would more than likely add to my history lesson and let me take a look around. Wayne also said I could access their Wi Fi on their back porch if I needed it and that many folks took advantage of it while they relaxed and visited the web. Wayne said he welcomed groups and it would be best to call ahead with large groups but they will make sure anyone who shows up will be fed. There may be a wait as the food is cooked to order but I can testily its worth the wait.
After my meal, I headed to the Historic Luther Hotel, one of the many places in the county on the National Registry. You will see the Historic Plaque as you enter the front door. As you walk into the lobby you feel as though you were transported back into the 30’s or 40’s. The exterior is white washed with weathered patina. To the right of the lobby is a sitting parlor adorned with antique furniture. Celebrity photos are displayed on the walls, along with other historical photographs. I was greeted by Kathy Crowell and Karl Smith who gave me some more local history. From the moment I walked in, I knew I had to stay. The view from the pillared porch donned with chairs and tables seemed like to place to relax and was a picture of serenity, lullibied by the sounds of the shoreline and the cool Gulf breeze. Although the stay would interrupt my trip, it was part of an adventure and discovery and what embodies what true travel is all about.
The Luther Hotel Built in 1905
The Lobby of the Luther
Rita Hayworth stayed at the Luther
My room #216
After getting my assigned room, I decided to check out Camp Hulen before unpacking. I rode just down the old Main St and found the Historical Plaque as Wayne had described. Basically Camp Hulen was the home of the 36th Infantry Division Army Reserves and was used and expanded during WW2 to train Anti-Aircraft Artillery Units. The Camp also housed German prisoners of the war and was soon closed at the end of WW2. At one time the base housed over 12,000 personnel, which made it the mainstay of the area. Most of the buildings are were torn down and lay desolate until sold to developers in 1965. There is also a local Museum in the old downtown just a block from the Hotel but it was Sunday. The Museum is open Sat and during the week after 10 a.m.
The Historical Marker for Camp Hulen
Since my overnight stop was unexpected, I headed to the local Dollar Market to get some tourist clothes. I only had the clothes I was riding in, with the exception of some clean underwear. After a quick visit to the bargain rack and $9 later, I had a disposable wardrobe or shorts, pull over shirt and some sandals. I also got some bottled drinks including two glass bottles of Mexican Coca Cola. Mexican Coca Cola contains real sugar, unlike the cheap and cancer causing mixture of corn syrup used in the U.S. for maximizing profits. Mexican Coca Cola tastes like I remembered as a kid, as you would pull the bottles out of the rack from the glass door of the old vending machines.
My $9 wardrobe
When I got back to the Hotel, I took a hot shower got settled in my room. The rooms are very clean but the furniture is a mixture of periods, from the 30’s to the 70’s. It is not fancy but it lends character. The bed was firm and everything was well maintained. The Television was brand new, being a table top panel screen but the photocopied channel guide was blurry and unreadable. There was an enormous selection of channels, including HD channels. After running around naked in my room, I donned my new vacation outfit and grabbed my lap top, a bottle of Coca Cola and headed out to the front porch to Blog. There was limited access to the Wi Fi as warned by Kathy and it was something they were going to work on. If you want night life, Palicios and the Luther Hotel are not what you may want. But if you want to relax and feel like you were transported back into the 30’s or 40’s, you gotta stay here.
The front porch of the Luther. If you can’t relax here you need to shoot yourself
Like they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
After blogging my previous days journey, it was dinner time but I was getting sleepy. I went back to my room and lay on the bed and quickly grew unconscious. I woke up about a half an hour later and it was dark, 8:30 pm. Being Sunday and being Palacios, all of the best places to eat would be closed or closing. Hungry, I put on my riding pants and boots and had to settle for a meal at the local Sonic Burger. I got my order to go and took it back to the room where I watched the latest on the crisis in Japan, before turning in for the night.
All in all this was a great day of discovery and relaxation. I am putting Palacios on my “Gotta to back list” and “Gotta share with my friends list”. If you haven’t been, you gotta go to Palacios. You gotta stay at the Luther and have one of your meals at the Outrigger Grill. After a couple of days and nights you should be relaxed and rejuvenated. Its an excellent place to home base if you like to ride, as you can go in all directions to make your own discoveries. I will resume my Tour of Honor ride tomorrow but for now I’m content being me and being in Palacios. Although it was one of my shortest ride days, it was one of my best ride days.
Saturday March, 19th, 2011
I left my Ranch in Florence at 0800 hrs on my 2005 ST-1300 and did my usual pre-trip ritual by stopping at Cianfrani’s in Georgetown. I grabbed a quick Cup of Joe and reacquainted myself with the Tour of Honor Sites. My plan was to ride to a Blue Knights Rendezvous in Round Top Texas and complete three more of the 2011 Tour of Honor Ride Sites. After laying out my proposed route, I hopped onto Toll Road 130 to Pflugerville and at 1000 hrs, met up with Glenn and Betty Copeland. Glenn, now a member of the Iron Butt Association and a Trophy Winner in the Tour of Honor Ride is a capable ride planner and I would just tag along with him to Round Top, Texas for the Rendezvous. Glenn had attended the Rendezvous last year, so he knew all of the ins and outs. All I had to do for the next 70 miles was mindlessly ride and enjoy the views.
My 2005 ST1300 ABS in front of Cianfrani’s Coffee Shop on 7th St, in Georgetown, Tx
We made our way from Pflugerville via back roads and stopped in Giddings, Texas for lunch at the City Meat Market and BBQ, located at the N/W corner of Hwy 290 and 77. We parked our machines in front of the Market and went inside to see what fare they had to offer. We walked past the meat display and noticed that the meat looked like it was past ripe. All of the cuts were brown and had a dried appearance. I secretly hoped that the BBQ would be palatable, compared to what I had seen. There is obviously little effort put into the appearance of the Market and all the walls, ceiling and artifacts on display are the same color of brown as the meat in the display case. There is the typical assembly line process you will find in most Texas BBQ joints, manned by folks who didn’t seem too happy to be there. I ordered the Beef Brisket, intending to build my own sandwich. Glenn and Betty got a sampler of ribs, sausage and brisket. There was nothing remarkable about the taste, as most Texas BBQ to me has that same smokey flavor and it did not have as flavorful a rub as some other places I had sample. My brisket was tender but a little dry and Glenn said the ribs were of the same order and not the fall of the bone variety. Betty seemed to prefer the sausage. I would not recommend this place but at least we gave it a try.
Glenn and Betty Copeland at the City Meat Market and BBQ in Giddings, Tx
Heading from Hwy 290 down Round Top Road
After our early lunch, we rode the remaining leg to Round Top on Hwy 290 and made a right onto Round Top Road, so its a no brainer getting there. Round Top is a good ride destination and the town is indeed small. It virtually consists of a small town square with a large lawn and shade trees, equipped with a public restroom. Besides members of various Blue Knights Chapters, there were riders from the Two Wheeled Texans forum, easily identified since most were on BMW’s, V-stroms, KTM’s and other makes of Adventure Touring Bikes. The Blue Knights were easily discernible with there black leather vest with Colors sewn on the back. I do not wear colors other than a BARF hat (Bay Area Riders Forum) with my IBA name tag on it, so I can easily be identified by name.
Members of Blue Knights Chapter 13 from Austin, Tx.
The Machines parked around the perimeter of Round Top Square
Downtown Round Top Square
None of the members of my Blue Knights Chapter #30 came along as is typical for our Chapter but there were plenty of members from Glenn’s Chapter, Chapter 13 from Travis County/Austin. I saw some familiar faces, having run into them at the Rio Grand Conference last year. I did see a Blue Knight Member with a San Ramon and Contra Costa County patch on his vest. These were jurisdictions adjacent to mine in California, so I had someone with something in common, although we were both glad to be rid of California. We spoke of California as if it were a fallen empire and were glad to have left before the economy took a dump in 2008. I often remark than when I left for Texas, I felt like I was a survivor rowing away from the sinking Titanic.
I ended up swapping lies and kicking tires with members of the Two Wheeled Texans Forum, with whom I seem to have more in common. It is easy to separate the two distinct groups as the members of TWT will be wearing helmets, gloves, jackets and other protective gear, where as Blue Knights Members wear black clothing, blue jeans and the all important leather vest, which provides them with immortal powers and immunity from crash injuries and the environment. Although I am proud to be a Law Enforcement Veteran and hold LEO’s in high regard, I’m just don’t share the “Biker” mentality and uniform.
The Rendezvous is a typical gathering of riders. Its a reason to ride, meet other riders and a destination. There was no formal activities other than a group photograph, which I skipped. I bid everyone goodbye but I knew Glenn would be watching my SPOT tracker and would be incommunicado via text messaging. Both Glenn Copeland and Merritt Francies completed the ride in two separate rides due to unexpected snow and were within the top five finishers in Texas. This makes them eligible to receive one of the trophies to be awarded to the first five finishers within each state. I was laid up due to a neck injury, so I couldn’t ride for about six weeks, so I was out of the running. It was good for them because it gave them a taste of what an endurance rally would entail. For me it would mean no pressure and I could stop and smell the Roses along the way. If you read about my first TOH site ride, you will understand.
Plan “A” for the day after leaving Round Top was to visit the TOH site in Port Arthur (Veterans Memorial) 352 miles and then the San Jacinto Memorial in La Porte, Tx stopping at dark. Day #2 would be to hit the Iwo Jima Memorial in Harlingen, then home. My kit included two clean changes of underwear and my toiletries.I left Round Top and tried to stay on as many back roads as I could. But since it was late in the day, I would have to traverse Houston on I-10. I was thankful for it was Saturday and I would be spared the commute traffic. I enjoyed the back roads to Industry, Texas, where I met rider who told me of a good road to try if I had time, called 1291. It runs from Fayetteville to Frelsburg with some twistes. I made a note and would try it later as it lay in the opposite direction. After a pleasant ride in 74 degree weather, I reached Belville and Hwy 36 which would take me to I-10.
I merged onto I-10 which had marginal traffic which slowly grew into heavy weekend traffic. There are HOV lanes so I tused them but the most of it is Tollway. I have a method to deal with Tollways which I will not go into. You will have to corner me in person and it will require some fee for this knowledge. The HOV lanes were hardly occupied and I zoomed by the regular traffic, so I didn’t experience any delays. As I reached the town of Winnie, I made the remainder of the way to Port Arthur via Hwy 73. The Veterans Memorial is located past Port Arthur and was easy to find. Once there, I got to business and took my required photo, then I relaxed to view the displays. This is a pretty darn good memorial with not only plaques but static displays of Armor, Helicopters, Jet Fighters, Landing Craft and Artillery. There are several larger than life bronze statues and the grounds are well kept and manicured. There appears to be a caretakers residence on the property, which probably has kept the Memorial from being vandalized.
The Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial in Port Arthur Texas
The TOH “Money Shot” with my flag
Another view of the Memorial in Port Arthur
After doing my deed at this Memorial, I made a U-turn and instead of retracing my route back, I went North to Beaumont to I-10. I refused to go near Houston and hit exit 800 on road 2354 south, towards Beach City and would take the coast to La Porte. It proved to be a great decision and scenic ride with no traffic. Here on this stretch I saw streets with the names of my Daughter, Sarah, Brooks for the originators of the TOH ride and “Falcon”, Stu McCurdy. I sent a text picture to Falcon and he was performing at an Air Show in Jackson, Tx. He invited me there only 139 miles away but in was in the opposite direction. It was hard to turn down free admission to an Air Show but I have several planned in the next few months.
As I made my way to Beach City along the Gulf Coast, I got glimpses of the water and beautiful homes which line the shore. The sky was blue with sparse clouds and the cool Gulf Breeze was refreshing. As I reached Galveston Bay on the way to La Porte, I had to cross the Fred Hartman bridge. This is a modern cable supported bridge and its looming and immense size greets you from miles away. It is spectacular to cross but unfortunately you cannot stop to take pictures. I tried but there was too much traffic as it is also another gateway into Houston. Houston, how can I describe it? I despise it, I hate riding through it. If you were to give Texas and enema, Houston is where you would put the tube. I hope thats clear enough.
The Fred Hartman Suspension Bridge over Galveston Bay into La Porte, Tx.
Dusk was quick approaching and being along the coast, I thought and started craving Seafood. I stopped in La Porte proper and got my bearing and mapped out the location of the San Jacinto Monument and the nearest Best Western Hotel. With those tasks complete, I rode around town and found a quaint Bistro/Bar/Grill. It was high end but the food was excellent, as was the service. I dined on their Ceasar Salad, and Fish N Chips Dinner, although there were many other eclectic choices. I capped off with a double expresso and left a fairly large tip for the excellent service that was provided. Distracted, I forgot to take a picture or remember the name of the restaurant but its located at the corner of Utah St and East Main in La Porte.
Beer Battered Cod in La Porte
The San Jacinto Monument in La Porte, TX
After dinner it was dark and I made my way to Hwy 225 to Memorial Parkway and the San Jacinto Monument. The Monument is located in the San Jacinto State Park, across the road from the Battleship “Texas”. The park was closed but it was not a problem since the Monument looms into the sky, an obelisk shaped like the Washington Monument and is well lit. I got my TOH picture and rode 8 more miles to the Best Western Hotel in Deer Park. An outlying suburb of Houston, in Deer Park I would be free from the dense city life and could then just traverse a corner of Houston as I made my way to Matagordo the next morning. I checked into the Hotel and soaked in the tub while I updated my Facebook page with some photos from the day. I planned the route for Sunday to Harlingen and prepared for a good nights rest. No Hurries or Worries, I would get up whenever and make the 356 miles to Harlingen, although I had plans to stop in Matagorda and Palacios along the way. As I lay my head down, I drifted off to sleep with visions of passing Mile markers, inside my head.
Where dreams are made. My room at the Best Western in La Porte, $69 plus tax with my Diamond Rewards Discount.
The days route, 437 miles
I am headed to Round Top Texas for a Blue Knights Rendezous, 2011_rendezvous_flyer with Glenn Copeland. From there, I plan on hitting Port Arthur and La Porte, Texas, to complete two more sites for the 2011 Tour of Honor Site. I’ll have more later. No concrete plan, just ride…………
If you want to see where I am this weekend via my Satellite Tracker, click HERE!
The Earthquake and resulting Tsunami in Japan, will effect us all in one way or another. With the volatile situation at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant unresolved, it will change the way we look, operate and think about Nuclear Power Plants.
I have a personal connection to Japan because I was born there and my Mother’s side of my Family, Uncles, Aunts and Cousins live in the City of Nagoya. Fortunately, the members of the Kobayashi Clan were spared the devastation and sorrow experience by those in Northern Japan. Although, I haven’t been able to contact them so I don’t know their status for sure.
I want to help out but am not sure how to handle it. Unlike Haiti, I want my money to get to where it can be used best. Yesterday, I received an email from my friends at Cafe Press offering a way to help and get a new shirt at the same time. Its a win, win! Cafe Press is selling “Japan Relief” T-shirts and I think they look pretty cool. They are only $15 and $10 of that goes to the Red Cross, Japan Release Relief Fund. Its a way to do something for someone else and will impress your friends. Just click on the picture and order away. Pay Pal accepted.
The Japanese people love Americans and they are one of our most loyal Allies. Do what you can do to help. Every little bit counts.
This is a great practical everyday Motorcycle. I bought one in 2009 as soon as they were brought to the U.S. Market. It was one of them Motorcycles Honda wouldn’t sell in America. The NT700 is also a great alternative vehicle getting an average of 50 mpg. Something to think about as the price of fuel climbs higher. You can read my review.
I’ve been grounded due to a bum neck, so its been about six weeks since I’ve ridden. A series of short term health issues all cropped up at the same time and interfered with my initial plans to complete the 2011 Tour of Honor Ride. With my neck better, I was getting claustrophobic and it was now time to see if I was ready to ride. I decided to join the Georgetown Honda Gold Wing Meet Up Group on a Sunday ride. The weather was forecast for the mid 70’s with clear skies. I was trying to figure a way to incorporate the Sunday ride and knock out one of seven of the Texas Tour of Honor Sites. I also wanted to see how my neck would handle having a 2 lb helmet on my head, while buffeting in a 70 mph head wind.
Stu McCurdy, leader of the Meet Up Group threw out feelers online on where to go. One of the four destinations was to Gruene Tx, via Canyon Lake and lunch at the Gristmill Restaurant. From there I could make a short run to San Antonio and photograph the Alamo Cenotaph Memorial with my motorcycle and rider flag. I could also visit my friend Fred, a former Californian and resident of Cibolo and kill several birds with the one stone.
The plan was to meet up at the Chevron Station at the intersection of Parmer Lane and CR 1431, with KSU (Kick Stands Up) at 1000 hrs. The previous night, I did a short ride to dinner in Cedar Park, just to see if riding one of my Sport Tourers (NT700v) would cause me any discomfort. As I was riding home E/B on CR 1431 and Parmer Lane, I had entered one of the left turn lanes to go south on Ronald Reagan Pkwy. I was braking normally when both my front and rear wheels locked. My former training came into play as I watched the horizon change and the motorcycle started to go down towards the right. I released the brakes and reapplied, slowing down and just going over the limit line by 6 feet. Fortunately I didn’t lay it down, otherwise I would have slid right into the intersection into the cross traffic. I noted that sand was all over the roadway and that it had been laid down during a big freeze which occurred over a month ago. Apparently there is no rush by the County to clean it up. Anyway, if you are reading this and are near this intersection, keep it in mind.
I left my ranch for the 29 mile ride at 0900 hrs on my ST1300. The weather was fantastic as I passed throngs of Sunday morning Bicyclists on Ronald Reagan Parkway. Note: My route map doesn’t depict RR Pkwy, as my version 2010 of Microsoft Street & Trips doesn’t have the newly constructed road yet. It was an uneventful short hop with little traffic as I reached the Chevron Station. I saw Diana McCurdy next to their trike, while Stu was engrossed with his Android. Stu came over to where I was pumping fuel to relate he had made it to the fuel station on fumes. Jerry and Jack, if you read my Painted Churches Story and Dan “Money Clip Yancey. Dan is a great guy, he must be since he is an IBA member and sports his IBA license plate frame on his GL1800. Later we would learn in Wimberly that Dan lost his left dash, stereo speaker cover, somewhere along the route. If you ride long enough, you will lose something sooner or later as the Highway Gremlins collect their unofficial tolls. You may have noticed yourself the occasional single shoe or sock lying next to the side of the road. I often wonder how such items end up where they do. Are these spots mini Bermuda Triangles of the highway’s?
A view of Me and following Stu and Diana. Dan Yancey is on the Yellow Wing.
Stu lead us through North Austin and as we exited near Bee Cave, we were getting out of the city traffic and onto the back country roads. With curves, canyons and tree lined roads we worked out way south. At one spot we passed some carrion on the road with a single Vulture on the ground, as the others watched perched from the trees. An obvious Veteran this bird was dining while his squeamish pals played it safe in the trees and wasn’t spooked as we passed by. We rode for about an hour before we took our first break in Wimberly. Wimberly is a great destination town on a good weekend. There are many shops and eateries to visit, so parking can be difficult at times but one advantage of motorcycles is you can usually find a spot to squeeze in somewhere. We stretched our legs and swapped some lies in a small parking lot in the shade and watched the other weekend traffic pass by.
The Guadalupe River
After our break we heading south again and towards Canyon Lake to our lunch destination in Gruene. This was one of the most scenic and remarkable parts of the ride as River Road east of Canyon Lake follows the Guadalupe River. This area in the summer is teeming with rafters and there are campgrounds, resorts and sports rentals business in every open spot all along the road. I think there are more campgrounds per mile along river road as I have seen anywhere. Its a shame as during the summer season, you can’t see the river with all the campers and vacationers obstructing the view. I do not find this area appealing at such times. The thought of floating down the river in an inner tube with a throng of beer guzzling rafters, in a sea of urine just doesn’t spell vacation for me.
Downtown Gruene, TX
We reached the town of Gruene, also a nice destination town. It reminds me a lot of the Napa region of California. There are eateries, artsy shops and stores. I saw the Gristmill Restaurant as we entered and what I estimated to be scores of people headed in that direction. I was thinking we were in for a long wait for a table and I was starving. I soon found out that Randy Travis was performing next door and that we were able to get a table for six with no problem. Parking in Gruene is a task on the weekends, so the six of us had to park in three different locations.
The front of the Gristmill Restaurant
Inside the Gristmill.
What’s left of the Onion Rings after six folks gnawed on them.
The Gristmill Restaurant is located on the side of a hill and overlooks the Guadalupe River, in and amongst the trees. So if you get an outside table, you are guaranteed a wonderful and serene view with your meal. I ordered their garden salad and the Pork Loin Sandwich. Stu ordered one order of Onion rings which fed the six of us. The food at the Gristmill is fantastic and it’s a must go kinda of place. After our hearty meal, we all anticipated getting drowsy. Dan whipped out his 5 hour energy drink as we prepared to go our separate ways. The Gold Wing group would find another back road to take them home and I would make a short jaunt to my friend Fred’s in Cibolo and figure out a route to the Alamo. We said our goodbye’s and I heading to Cibolo and arrived at Fred’s in about a half hour. At Fred’s I whipped out my laptop and figure the best route to the Memorial located near the Alamo.
The Alamo Cenotaph is a memorial for the soldiers who fought and died at the Alamo. The Tour of Honor requirements were to take a photograph of the Memorial with your rider flag and motorcycle in the foreground. Both my friends Merritt Francies and Glenn Copeland had completed their Tour of Honor rides while I was laid up. Both also finished to be eligible for the 3rd and 4th place trophies for being in the first five to finish their state. I was informed by both that parking is a problem to position a motorcycle for the photo. One has to illegally stop and park along the busy downtown city street. If they could do it, I could do it. As I got online, SNAFU! It was March 6th, 2011. On March 6th 1836, the Battle of the Alamo began. It was the 175th Anniversary of the Battle and I was headed right for it. Could you pick a worse time to visit a National Monument? Actually, I guess it made my visit more meaningful.
I left Fred’s and shot down I-35 to I-37 to San Antonio and got off on exit 141B. I skirted around barricades and the backed up traffic. I could see tons of reinactors in period dress and apparently getting ready to do one of the final shows for the day. I saw the spot where Glenn Copeland took his photo but Cops, barricades, spectators and Actors were blocking the way, making just seeing the Memorial nearly impossible. One good thing was that traffic was stopped do to the activities, so I went to the intersection north of the Cenotaph. I was able to stop in a traffic lane, no curb, no traffic and take my picture.
My TOH picture for the Cenotaph.
What the Cenotaph looks like without the crowds.
Mission accomplished, I began to ride home, trying to make it before dark. It was a good day with my route showing I rode 317 miles for the day. The rest of the ride was uneventful and I took the Toll Road home from Buda, Tx, making it home just as the sun was setting. All in all, I made it out of town, I got to ride my motorcycle, I got to spend time with friends, eat some good food, enjoy the good weather, see some good sites and got one of seven TOH sites under my belt. My neck is a little sore but I haven’t worn my two pound hat for a while but there was no pressure on the nerve. I think a couple of more weeks of rest and therapy and I will be ready for some longer rides. If you find yourself in Hill Country, make Gruene Tx a destination whether you ride or not. You won’t be disappointed.
My route, 317 miles.
Check out the revised and improved GoldWing.
This year I am doing 4 Long Distance Rallies and a ride to Nova Scotia in the fall, so I am looking for some good quality lights to replace my PIAA model 1100’s. I have been averaging a replacement bulb a year for the PIAA’s which I have on my ST1100 and ST1300. I alternate using these bikes and my BMW GS for Long Distance rides and rallies, so I rely on having a good set of auxiliary lights.
The replacement bulbs for the PIAA 1100’s run an average of $32 a piece, times that by 8 = $256 in replacement bulbs over the last 8 years. Now add that to the $245 average cost of the light kit and that is $501. I need a solution, something that draws less power, is more reliable and gives out an equivalent amount of light. I want to ride and not spend my time changing bulbs. So I am looking at LED technology.
The PIAA 1100x Extreme Kit with fork mounting brackets.
I run a set of PIAA 540’s on my BMW 1150GS and so far I haven’t had to replace those bulbs. These lights are more than I need for my applications and look like something you would put on a Humvee. They look good on the GS and they work for me but they are a little too much for the sleeker lines of a sport tourer.
The PIAA 540 kit. They are big and manly lights which give a dual sport machine that DAKAR kinda look.
LED technology has really made some leaps and bounds and a Company called “Clearwater Lights” is making two models of high intensity lights which fit the bill. Since the PIAA 1100’s on my ST1300 recently went out, (bad relay). I figured since I was going to have to replace the relay, I would replace the lights, wiring and try the LED’s.
Yesterday I went to Lonestar BMW in Austin and saw they had one set of the Clearwater Glenda’s. The price tag, $475.
The Clearwater Glenda’s. They come with color options for the lens cowl. They also come with amber lenses so you can easily convert them to a fog light.
The big boys for Clearwater are called the Krista’s. They are supposedly the equivalent to the PIAA 540’s but only draw a fraction of the power and are priced at over $650.
The Krista’s. Lonestar BMW did not have the Krista’s and only one set of the Glenda’s. They are seeing if they sell and are worth stocking in their shop.
Anyhow, I bought their set of Glenda’s since they didn’t have the Krista’s and I will try them on my ST1300. If I am happy with the performance of the Clearwater lights, I will replace them with the Krista’s and move the Glenda’s to my NT700V or 89 Transalp. I am anxious to check out their performance, knowing there will be no bulbs to replace and dropping the draw off my electrical system substantially.
The jury is out so stay tuned and check back after I install my new lights and test their performance. My only real experience with LED’s are the small flashlights you can buy at the check out stand at your local auto parts dealer, so this will be a learning experience.
Bill Howland sent me a link to this video. This 3 minute clip kinda stirred me. I guess I can see myself in the same situation in the not too distant future.
Enjoy!
The last two weeks I was hit with multiple health issues. Now I’m down to getting rid of the last of my sinus infection but a ruptured disc in my neck is keeping me off the road. Hopefully I will make the Around the Bend rally in two weeks. I am growing anxious but it is, what it is. Two friends of mine, Merritt Francies and Glenn Copeland went on to ride and complete the Tour of Honor ride in Texas, as I watched from the sidelines. They should be in the top five in line for a top five finisher trophy. More later, ride hard, ride safe.
Record temperatures in Texas and the Mid-West have caused rolling blackouts through out the state. Snow, Ice and cold winds are foiling the plans of many Texas riders for the Tour of Honor Ride. I Initially wanted to vie for one of the trophies for being one of the first five finishers in Texas but the weather is delaying my trip for several days, now possibly Friday. The freeze has reached as far south as the Gulf. So, I’m going to abandon any plans for glory, so I am going with my Rally strategy, “Survive, Finish and Have Fun”.
I needed tires before the ride and elected to let the local Honda Dealer deal with it. There was enough tread to do about 1,000 miles but not the 2,000 plus of my route. With the bad weather to consider, I wanted the most tread possible to deal with the unexpected conditions. I normally do my own but working in my unheated shop made saving the $50 bucks in labor seem not worth it.
I made an appointment for 1400 hrs today for the new tires.I opted for a harder compound tire so I ordered Bridgestone’s. Since I will be doing a lot of slab riding I decided not to put on the Metzler Road Tec’s which I normally run. I tend to only average about 6k miles on the Meztler’s although I ma more confident in their wet road handling. Cost for the Bridgestones about $92 for the front tire and $120 for the rear.
I awoke this morning with the alarm clock display flashing, indicating the power had gone off during the night. I checked the temperature and it was a stiff 19 degrees F. I got on my riding gear and heated Aerostich vest. Key on, I fired up the ST1300 and nothing. The battery was dead. I had to pop off the side covers and recharge the battery. I decided the battery was cold and old (2 years) and the cold temps helped to forecast its impending demise. To play it safe I called the Honda store to get a battery ready to go with the tires. I usually do my own batteries and buy mine from Walmart. For example, the OEM battery for my BMW GS is about $174. I can get a comparable battery at Walmart for about $80. Georgetown Honda had several batteries available from $89 to $170. I picked the $89 one.
Battery recharged, I stopped by the coffee shop and the regulars looked at me like I had just landed from Mars. In disbelief they made remarks about my intelligence level but I assured them I was comfy with the electrically heated gear. There was only one other motorcycle rider I saw on the road today and that was my friend and fellow IBA Rider Merritt Francies. I wasn’t cold but my fogged up face shield hampered my vision, even with a Balacava and scarf over my mouth.
I have two Gerbing Electric Jacket liners but they are susceptible to shorts if you bend the heating elements by stuffing them in your bags. They are fine if you go from hanger to body and back to the hanger. Thus, my experience has led me to acquire a Aerostich Kanetsu TLTec Wind Blocker Electric Vest.
Everybody has their opinion, this is the electric vest that suits me.
I made my appointment at Georgetown Honda and picked up a sandwich on the way to eat during my wait. Georgetown Honda has two televisions and comfortable chairs on the showroom floor, to help those who have to wait. My friend and rookie IBA rider Glenn Copeland joined me at the Honda Shop, so we could discuss our Tour of Honor ride, route and plans. I began eating my sandwich and watched the SPEED Channel while the Motorcycle Elves got my machine road worthy. After and hour, Jason came out to the showroom to inform me that my rear axle bearings were shot with some of the bearings missing. With 68 k on the odometer, it was not a shock but I realized that I probably would have overlooked checking my bearings, if I had done the work myself.
Georgetown Honda, “Where dreams are realized!”
My machine was ready after another hour and bill with tax and labor was a hair over $500. Despite the total, I was happy camper and had more confidence about my ride and Georgetown Honda’s diligence. I will wear out the tires in a couple of months but the battery and wheels bearings will last for a while and the likelihood these items will fail me on this ride will be diminished.
If you are in the area, stop by Georgetown Honda. I have confidence in their service and they have always treated me right. They even have my picture on their website! Georgetown Honda also supports the Gold Wing Owners Meet Up Group, a great group of local folks that I enjoy riding with.
Well it looks like the weather will warm up slightly by Thursday night so my Tour of Honor Ride launch time is delayed until Friday. With a route planned, how many days it will take and where we will stay will all be played by ear. With my chances of being stuck along side of the road reduced, I can embark on this great crusade with a little more confidence.
My rider flag and number for the 2011 Tour of Honor. This flag along with my machine must appear in the foreground of the pictures of the Memorial sites to get credit.
I should have been on the road by now and 1/4 of the way through the Tour of Honor ride but Mother Nature has other ideas. A major cold front has moved in and is pounding the East, Mid West and Texas with record cold temperatures and snow. I’ve ridden in these conditions before but I don’t normally launch under them. You can’t help it when you get caught in them when your already on the road.
Screenshot of the Baja 540C screen in RADAR Demo mode.
Yesterday I mounted a new GPS, Lowrance Baja 540C, on my 2005 ST1300 so I will test it out on this ride. My other Lowarnce I-Way 500c is now toast, having seen better days. I opted for the Baja which has big glove friendly controls and has Topo Maps. I will hardwire it later, so I just routed and secured the excess cable and modified some RAM mounts I had laying around. I also changed my oil and organized my ride gear and tools. My tires had about 500 miles of tread left and was planning on changing them on the road but the weather and road conditions make having the most tread I can imperative. So tomorrows task is to put fresh on some fresh rubber.
Adding some fresh AMS Oil to the ST. I have a quick drain plug which makes draining the oil pan easy but you have to be Houdini to get the old oil filter off without spilling anything. The filter is located above the header so you can barely grab it with a filter wrench or your fingers. One of them things you have to experience.
Tour of Honor Moderators Dave and Steve Brooks released the varying sites within the participating states this morning Midnight PST. I stayed awake with my laptop waiting for the Texas locations to be revealed so I could plan my route. At 0200 hrs CST or 2400 hrs PST a major cold front moved in. Lightning hit my ranch near Florence, Tx and knocked out my power so down went my Satellite internet connection. Heavy wind driven rains pelted my metal roof and skylights, as I noted the 7 Texas Memorial sites and plotted them on Streets and Trips.
One route seemed clear from Central Texas (Georgetown), moving counter clockwise to San Antonio, then onto Harlingen, to Houston, Galveston, Tyler, Amarillo, Midland and then back to Georgetown. Total, of 2028 plus miles. I am enjoying the shelter of my ranch as I check regional weather patterns over the next few days at the various sites. More details on the sites can be found on the TOH website. I plan on leaving Thursday afternoon, which seems to be the worse day for most of Texas but I may be able to thread through the various threats of snow. The problem is Texas is so huge, its like planning a trip through several states and weather systems.
Here is a look at the San Antonio site, just click on the picture.
Teh Alamo Cenotaph. Goal: Take a picture of the Memorial with your Rider Flag and machine in the foreground.
I will SPOT track my trip and will post the link and SpotWalla trip viewer here, the Tour of Honor Forum and on Facebook just before launching.
Here is a brief look at my planned route.
2028 Miles. I mapped out the California sites and they only have to ride 1873 Miles. Texas has more roadway surface than any other state, about 152,205 miles of road, equal to driving around the earth 6 times.
One of my riding buddies, Glenn Copeland may ride with me on Thursday if he gets the okay from his Mission Control. Stay tuned either on FB or here.
Ever thought about doing a Motorcycle Endurance Rally? Well here is a 12 hour format that will give you an idea of what Long Distance Motorcycle Rallies are like. You will have 12 hours to cover 600 miles while you collect points. I just registered and hope to cross your path as we traverse the State on our individual missions. To learn more just click on the pic.
If you have questions let me know or get a hold of James Stovall at: jstovall@amaonline.com
The 1987 XL600 TransAlp.
How many used Motorcycles made over 20 years ago sell for over twice the original price? How many Motorcycles Models are still being produced since 1987? Why is one of the Worlds most useful and reliable Motorcycles not available in the United States? The answers: American Consumer Stupidity and Great Business sense bordering on stupidity.
Most Americans don’t ride serious and are more concerned about looking good on a 1,000 plus cc machine than practicality. A majority of American riders venture an average of 100 miles on a weekend ride and tour only once a year. Europeans rely on Motorcycles for primary transportation in heavy traffic on uneven, slopping and narrow roads. Being an owner of BMW GS 1150, I know how much hindrance the weight of a 1,000 cc machine can be on unstable roads. That’s why I love the TransAlp. It can do everything!
The XL 650 TransAlp
There have been three models of the Honda TransAlp made over the last 20 years, the XL600, the XL650 and now the 700. First made in 1987, the XL600 was introduced and sold in the U.S. for only 2 years, 1989 and 1990 but current models remain for sale world wide. The current model the 700, is modernized and has undergone many changes since the early days, making it even more of an ultimate machine.
The XL 700 TransAlp
I have two of the U.S. models an 89 and 90. In November, I lead a group of 5 riders on a 1,400 mile ride into New Mexico. I was on my 600 cc machine and the rest were on Honda GL 1800’s and they had keep on their toes to keep up with me.I have an NT700 V and its light weight makes a big difference on my driveway, which is a mile long gravel road. On my ST 1300 the ride is unsettling at times but on the lighter machines its like butter!
Adventure touring bikes have become popular in the U.S. but the most popular models are over 1,000 cc’s with the exception of the KTM. Kawasaki makes a cruder version with the KLR in the 650 range but it’s buzzy at high speeds. Harley doesn’t make anything to fill the niche and their reliability as BMW’s are in question. BMW filled the gap with the 800 GS but it is tall in the saddle and the price….oh the price! Suzuki makes the V-Strom in a 1,000 and 650 cc engine but it’s just not a HONDA!
I didn’t just fall off the Turnip Truck. Remember, I rode for a living and rode all the makes of Police models. I owned everything from 50 cc’s to 1500 cc’s. I need a machine that will cover 1,000 miles a day, without the worry of being left along the side of the road. Although most modern motorcycles are reliable, some are more than others and maintenance costs need to be considered. I wore out six sets of tires last year, how long does it take you to go through a set?
I want a 700 cc machine that is reliable unlike my BMW GS, that is light, affordable and performs. Honda knowing the American Market is not willing to introduce such machines into the U.S. and took a gamble by introducing the NT700V in 2010. The jury is still out on that one but I enjoy mine and it’s the perfect street machine for the everyday rider, commuter and semi-serious tourer.
I want the Honda TransAlp 700 but the Gods are denying me. Yamaha has kinda figured it out with the release of the Super Tenere this year. Problem, it is a 1000 cc machine. Like Honda, they’ve produced the Tenere for years in the 600 and 660 cc range but you can’t get them either in the U.S.. Yamaha thinks the only way to sell a Motorcycle in the U.S. is to only offer the bigger engines. The only way I and afford the new Yamaha is to sell my two TransAlps. That’s something I can’t bring myself to do.
There is no way to explain and have you understand what I am saying unless you ride. And unless you ride over varying terrain, you will not understand why a lighter machine is good. But those select few who have dropped your 600 lbs plus GS, you can’t appreciate a lighter machine that can still go triple digits.
I never want to be limited to where I can go because my motorcycle can’t make it, or the road might hurt or make dirty my pretty machine. Only let your skill level dictate where you can, or can’t go.
Here are some videos of all three models of the TransAlp. Maybe they will enlighten you and show you the evolution of something good. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone to a dealership and inquired about TransAlp parts to be met with a thousand yard stare, from a kid who was in diapers when the TransAlp came out.
Be Safe and Ride Hard!
Okay! If Honda isn’t going to bring the current model Transalps to the U.S., I will have to go Yamaha!
Need a reason to ride?…Want to pay homage to our fallen heroes?… Want to help out a good cause?…Need some more ride pins?
Steve Brooks fellow IBA member has put together something special. Visit 7 Memorials or Military related sites within a state between Feb and Oct and receive a pin and certificate. California’s sites are now up and Texas should be online this Feb. For more information, click on the picture above. $10 from each registration goes to the Wounded Warrior Project. Its a win, win for everyone!
I am registered and received my shirt and Rider #37. Glenn Copeland of BK Chapter 13 is also registered and we are going to ride Texas!
This new Product was just announced at the Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas.
Now you can turn your Smart Phone into a Satellite Tracker. It will tether to your phone via Bluetooth. So far it will work with the Droid and SPOT is waiting approval from Apple for the application for Iphones.
Click on the picture to find out more.
Bob Hole sent me this Poem, taken off the LD Rider list. I thought it was worth sharing.
Season of the Bike
by Dave Karlotski
Cold!
There is cold, and then there is cold on a motorcycle.
Cold on a motorcycle is like being beaten with cold hammers while being kicked with cold boots, a bone bruising cold. The wind’s big hands squeeze the heat out of my body and whisk it away; caught in a cold October rain, the drops don’t even feel like water. They feel like shards of sharp bone fallen from the skies of Hell to shred my face. I expect to arrive with my cheeks and forehead streaked with blood, but that’s just an illusion, just the misery of nerves not designed for highway speeds.
Despite this, it’s hard to give up my motorcycle in the fall and I rush to get it on the road again in the spring; lapses of sanity like this are common among motorcyclists. When you let a motorcycle into your life you’re changed forever. The letter “M” is stamped on your driver’s license right next to your sex and weight as if “motorcycle” was just another of your physical characteristics, or maybe a mental condition.
But when warm weather finally does come around all those cold snaps and rainstorms are paid in full because a summer is worth any price.
A motorcycle is not just a two-wheeled car; the difference between driving a car and climbing onto a motorcycle is the difference between watching TV and actually living your life. We spend all our time sealed in boxes’ and cars are just the rolling boxes that shuffle us from home-box to work-box to store-box and back, the whole time, entombed in stale air, temperature regulated, sound insulated, and smelling of carpets.
On a motorcycle I know I’m alive. When I ride, even the familiar seems strange and glorious. The air has weight and substance as I push through it and its touch is as intimate as water to a swimmer. I feel the cool wells of air that pool under trees and the warm spokes of sun that fall through them. I can see everything in a sweeping 360 degrees, up, down and around, wider than Pana-Vision and IMAX and unrestricted by ceiling or dashboard.
Sometimes I even hear music. It’s like hearing phantom telephones in the shower or false doorbells when vacuuming; the pattern-loving brain, seeking signals in the noise, raises acoustic ghosts out of the wind’s roar. But on a motorcycle I hear whole songs: rock ‘n roll, dark orchestras, women’s voices, all hidden in the air and released by speed.
At 30 miles per hour and up, smells become uncannily vivid. All the individual tree- smells and flower- smells and grass-smells flit by like chemical notes in a great plant symphony.
Sometimes the smells evoke memories so strongly that it’s as though the past hangs invisible in the air around me, wanting only the most casual of rumbling time machines to unlock it. A ride on a summer afternoon can border on the rapturous.
The sheer volume and variety of stimuli is like a bath for my nervous system, an electrical massage for my brain, a systems check for my soul. It tears smiles out of me: a minute ago I was dour, depressed, apathetic, numb, but now, on two wheels, big, ragged, windy smiles flap against the side of my face, billowing out of me like air from a decompressing plane.
Transportation is only a secondary function. A motorcycle is a joy machine. It’s a machine of wonders, a metal bird, a motorized prosthetic. It’s light and dark and shiny and dirty and warm and cold lapping over each other; it’s a conduit of grace, it’s a catalyst for bonding the gritty and the holy.
I still think of myself as just another rider, but by now I’ve had a handful of bikes over a couple dozen years and slept under my share of bridges. I wouldn’t trade one second of either the good times or the misery. Learning to ride was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Cars lie to us and tell us we’re safe, powerful, and in control. The air-conditioning fans murmur empty assurances and whisper, “Sleep, sleep.”
Motorcycles tell us a more useful truth: we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good, but that’s no reason not to enjoy every minute of the ride.
The story you are about to read is true and based on actual events that occurred on Dec 21st, 2010. The names have not been changed, since they were all guilty of having fun.
One of the groups I ride with is the “Georgetown Gold Wing Honda Riders”, Meet Up Group. Meet Up Groups are a great way to socialize with those sharing common interests, without the politics and BS of clubs. Meet Up Groups can be found online and if you have an Iphone, you can even get an Application to keep abreast of the Group of your choice. All types of machines are welcome in the Georgetown Group with the exception of machines with loud exhausts. Although I don’t ride a Gold Wing anymore, I tolerate them lumbering lovable machines and they tolerate me.
One of the informal leaders of our Group is Falcon (Stu McCurdy). Falcon is a retired Air Force Colonel/Pilot, Vietnam Vet and as a result, he is very detail oriented…okay he’s Anal. I appreciate that fact though because all I have to do is mindlessly ride my machine and Falcon takes care of the details. Falcon plans the route, keeps a degree of relaxed discipline and is mindful that all are having fun. Typical ride formations follow AMA guidelines and CB communication is maintained between the lead and the tail to ensure safe and efficient riding. I have a CB on my ST1300 and each ride Falcon asks if I have communication and I kept telling him it is not operational so he won’t assign me to road duties. That way I can just relax and enjoy the ride.
The week prior, Falcon posted a ride idea on the Meet Up site to see the Painted Churches and it mushroomed into a full blown ride. “The Painted Churches” are a series of ornate and hand crafted Churches in an area South East of Austin, Tx, built by German and Czech Settlers. With Old World craftsmanship they produced some visually stunning and historically interesting places of worship. And my favorite part, the Meet Up Group finds a way to incorporate food and this one would include a late lunch at Murphy’s Steakhouse. Riding and eating, it was going to be a good day.
Plan “A” was to rendevous in Hutto in the Lowe’s parking lot with Kickstands Up at 0900 hrs. For those who didn’t mind getting up early, Mario’s Mexican Restaurant in Hutto was picked as the pre-staging location for their Miga’s. Personally, I prefer Corned Beef Hash and Eggs but Corned Beef Hash seems to be a rarity in Texas, taking the back seat to Chicken Fried Steak and Potatoes. If anyone out there reading this knows of a place in Texas you can get good Corned Beef Hash for breakfast, send me the GPS coordinates!
Falcon’s Co-rider is his lovely wife Diana (Di Di). I have a lot of respect for Diana, she’s a handsome Woman with class, good sense of humor and a down to earth personality. Besides, she has put up with Falcon’s antics for over 40 years. My Co-rider Cecilia (C) is much the same and anyone who can put up with me has some special qualities too. I can always count on C to be the unofficial photographer and on this ride she ended up taking over 200 pictures. Joining us for breakfast were Thom and Betsy Schumaucher, Stephen Morrison from GWRRA Chapter “O”, Glenn and Betty Copeland, two new members to the Meet Up Group, Jim and Tanya Evans, riding a BMW LT. The rest of the riders would meet us later at the Lowe’s.
C and I left Georgetown and took the toll road 130 to Hwy 79. After our quick 16 mile jaunt to Hutto and an ATM, we arrived at Mario’s to find a long table ready with hungry riders. If you ever make it to Hutto, Tx, you will find Ceramic Hippos and Hippo icons all through out the town and in people’s yards. If you are wondering what the deal is, the Hippo’s are the local High School’s Mascot…..mystery solved. Breakfast at Mario’s is good and Mario is there to ensure all are satisfied when they leave. He will accommodate large groups or riders and will open early if you have at least 12 in your party. I enjoyed my standard Bacon and Egg breakfast while the others enjoyed their Tex-Mex breakfasts. If you are riding east from the I-35 corridor on Hwy 79, Mario’s is a great place to fill up the riders tank.
Energized with food and topped off with fuel, we met the remainder of the riders in the Lowe’s parking lot. Introductions and reintroductions were made as we were joined by Dan Badwey, Buzz and Judy Landry, Jack “Bling” Reynolds” and mystery rider, Greg Stott. During the kicking of the tires and swapping of lies, Greg announced he was heading home due to work. Greg rides a Kawasaki 1400 Concours and I have yet to ride with him. I have met him twice and both times he appeared and disappeared just as quickly. I know he works at Dell Computers and he knows Thom Schumacher and that’s it. He must be afraid his Kawasaki is going to breakdown in the midst of all these Honda’s, or he’s just busy. Maybe one day he’ll get to take his shoes off and stay a while.
Center front Lt to Rt: Judy & Buzz Landry, Diana and Stu McCurdy
Back row Lt to Rt: Steven Morrison, Betty and Glenn Copeland, Me and Cecilia, Jack “Bling” Reynolds, Mystery Rider Greg Stott, Jim & Tanya (Helmet), Betsy Schumacher and Dan Badwey. Photo by Thom Schumacher.
After a few photo ops, catching up and introductions, Falcon gave a ride briefing. Steve Morrison would be riding sweep. Steve’s salty appearance, confidence and adorned riding vest testified he would be exemplary in his duties. It was time to shut up, gear up and saddle up and Falcon relayed it was time to roll. I am sure all the other Riders and Co-riders were thinking about the Churches but I was already thinking about Murphy’s Steakhouse…”What time will we get there?…What kind of steaks do they have?…What will I order?”
The Machines
We left Hutto with 9 ships, minus the Kawasaki and began our backroads journey. We were about an hour from the first Church and the weather was stellar. The week prior temperatures had dropped into the thirties but we were looking at a possible record breaking day with temps forecast into the 80’s. You gotta love Texas weather, its as volatile as the economy. The ride on Road 1660 takes you through undulating hills, farmlands and ranches. For brief moments I could of swore I was traveling through the farmlands of Kentucky or Pennsylvania. Fall and Autumn colors were is their splendor and the clean clear air provided a moving canvas of relaxation. Other traffic was virtually non-existent as we made our way to Hwy 95 to Elgin, Bastrop, Flatonia and to Praha for the first of the Churches, St Mary’s. By the way, Elgin is a great destination if you want BBQ. Elgin is also the home to Elgin Sausage, so its a good destination if your hungry.
Road 1660 from Hutto
One of the first things I noticed as we neared Bastrop is the presence of Pine Trees and that fresh Pine smell. In California they are everywhere but in Texas they’re a rarity, giving way to Cedar Trees and Prickly Pear Cactus. I was enjoying the lack of traffic, the sights of homes, cabins and ranches tucked into the pines, the bands of sunlight piercing through the trees and the smell pine.
Somewhere in Texas.
Riding with large groups is fun but the real fun starts when you reach a parking lot. Falcon being on a Trike is less sensitive to unstable surfaces, so do as I say and and not do as I do is the rule. Having a machine without a reverse gear and in the presence of Wings, I must be mindful whether or not I will have to back up on an incline on a bed of ball bearings/gravel when it comes time to leave. After years of training other riders, I can tell a lot about a rider by watching them in the parking lot, where the force of gravity is increased and the ground less stable. There are ways to control a group in a parking lot situation and it takes a little practice and coordination. Our first few stops bordered on a Chinese Fire Drill practice but weren’t too bad. They got better through out the day but at times I grew impatient as the other riders figured out what they were going to do. So I would break ranks and parked away from the group to minimize my chances of becoming a Domino.
Where the painted Churches Lay
Falcon surveys all that lays before him at St. Mary’s.
The exterior the first Church seemed nothing special as did most of the others, although they each had some character. The real beauty is inside, hidden from the eyes of those unknowing who mindlessly pass through these small Texas towns as they move from Point A to Point B. I don’t quite know how other folks think but my mind is always racing and I am constantly bombarded by out of the box thoughts. I believe it is possbile that I am an Idiot Savant of the bizzare thoughts. If you are familiar with the thoughts of Jack Handy, he and I are on the same train of thought and possbily in the same train car. If you don’t know who Jack Handy is, Google it!
Napping with Baby Jesus
Anyway, as the others were making their way to the Church doors via the paved pathway, I began walking amongst the Nativity scenes and plaques on the Church lawn. As I walked on the grass heading towards the Steeple and looking at the pine needles I was visually greeted by a freshly made Dog Turd. Although not a profound moment it proved to me that if you take the road less travelled, you will see things other won’t. I took a picture, so they can see what they missed. Next, I saw the 3-D Nativity scene. In my mind a song began to play “I don’t care if it rains or freezes, as long as I get to nap with Jesus!”. Then the photo op. Oh yea, this is about a ride.
An example of the little things you will see when you stray off the beaten path. Looks like Queensland Healer but smelled like a Labrador Retriever. I guess I’ll have to wait for the Lab report.
St. Mary’s
Fast Forward into the interior of St. Mary’s. Most of the Church doors are unlocked during business hour in the middle of the week. Only one of the Five Churches we visited had the doors locked. If you can, the middle of the week is best for visiting in my mind, as you are not subject to the actual business that occurs on the weekends such as Weddings. Worship, etc. The first question most folks ask is what year was the Church built. Simple examination of the corner stone can reveal much but each Church had some literature inside, along with newspaper clippings to satisfy the curious mind.The others remarked about the dim lighting but I soon found the main electrical panel and said “Let there be light!” and there was light. I think St Mary’s was the best visually. It seemed to have the largest interior and the most in variety of colors and examples of craftsmanship. The alter at St Mary’s was intricatly carved and painted. Pastels and bright colors create an uplifting atmosphere of wonder and something special, which obviously adds to create and atmosphere of awe and wonder. There were a lot of ohh’s and ahh’s and picture taking. Falcon carefully regulated the length of stay so as to accommodate the rest of the day, as this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Back on the machines we headed to the next destination, High Hill and the second Church, Nativity of Mary, Blessed Virgin Catholic Church. I’m going to skip going into detailed dissertations on each Church. This is something you can check on the internet with the links I am providing, the pics I am posting, or discover them yourself. Each Church has its own character and uniqueness worthy of self discovery. Here there were some more oohs and ahh’s, picture taking and after our allotted visitation, we headed to the Church in Dubina and the Piano Bridge. The Piano bridge was built in the 1880’s and is located on a narrow, emphasis on narrow tree lined road, FM 1383. At some points and possibly during the spring when the foliage is heavy, you will ride under a canopy of over hanging trees. This road is also known as “Old Piano Bridge Road”.
Self Explanatory
The Ornate, Ornateness of this Ornate Church.
We reached the bridge to find it had been closed and cabled off to vehicular traffic. We later learned the reason for the closure after inspection by TX DOT, that some of the support bolts had been recently sheared. The type of damage was indicative of someone using the bridge as a jumping ramp with their vehicle. We were denied from riding our machines across the bridge, with St. Cyrils Methodist Church just a stones throw on the other side. As we were snapping pics with our camera’s and Iphones, Falcon was rerouting us to St. Cyrils. We took a five mile scenic detour around a ranch raising Clydesdale’s and made it the St. Cyrils. As the others parked, I spotted a Historic Plaque ahead. C wondered what I was doing but quickly saw that I needed to satisfy my curiosity for history.
Old Piano Bridge Road
Our fearless leader Falcon surveys the damaged bridge.
It can take seven days to cross a “Weak” Bridge….Hardy, har, har. I crack myself up sometimes.
Dubina, Tx
The St. Cyril’s was built by Czech immigrants and is more isolated than the other Churches in respect to the towns they are near. Said to be the most grand of the Churches, it was also the most secured as it’s doors were locked. I found it to be a tranquil site and here Glenn Copeland informed me there was a Geo Cache hidden 60 yards from the Steeple. This looked like a good place for a nap but I don’t think the other riders where thinking nap time, or maybe some were. When on the road, I often use Churches as a place to nap if I get drowsy. They are usually well manicured, have benches, nice lawns or shade. With our alloted photos, we headed to the fourth Church in Ammansville and St John the Baptist Catholic Church. Here is where my mind started wandering away from the Churches and towards my next meal. We were about half way through the ride and here is where folks with A.D.D. would get a little ancy. Getting on and off the bikes, removing and replacing gear was taking its toll. There was no whinning or obvious signs of fatigue but the enthusiasm level was down a notch, even though it was still interesting. I am sure that those who skipped breakfast were getting hungry too.
After our visit at St. John’s we worked our way along the scenic roads and even more pines trees. This was my favorite stretch of road for the day as we made it to LaGrange for fuel and then to Winchester and Murphy’s Steakhouse. Had I visited this area or been aware of it before moving to Georgetown, I probably would have considered living in this region when I retired. It was getting a little warm the group pulled into the gravel parking lot next to Murphy’s, it was every man for himself but I saw more stable gound just across the street and in the shade. We got into Murphy’s after the lunch rush so there was plenty of seating and we secured a long table. I browsed the menu which seemed standard Texas Cafe Fare with all the usuals, Chicken Fried Steak, Burgers and Fried stuff but there were the Steaks. The menu listed the Steaks by ounces that said that it represented inches. I was foreign to this concept so I ordered the 12 ounce steak, medium rare. Someone order their steak “Well”, which is a sin. There is a fine line from “Well” to dry and it is a waste of good meat as far as I’m concerned.
Murphy’s Steakhouse, Winchester Tx
Falcons F-1800. Stu flew F-4’s in Vietnam. Dan Badwey in foreground as Di Di puts her gear away.
My Rib Eye
The Salad bar was minimal and my Coca Cola was flat. Two of us (B and I) who ordered Coke’s had them returned for ice tea. When my steak arrived, it was about 12 inches across and not 12 ounces. It was one of the best Steaks I have had in Texas and seemed like it was dry aged. It was juicy, tender, flavorfull and worth riding a 100 miles for. I could only eat half but could easily make two sandwiches with the left overs, which I did. I refrained from dessert since we still had to ride home with one Church left to visit. I knew that I would be nooding off at some point to facilliatate digestion of the steak, so thought ahead about getting a Red Bull or some coffee. As we donned our riding gear, we watched a one man parade. This consisted of a local walking down the middle of the road and our presence sparked some conversation. I guess we were the biggest thing that happened that day in Winchester.
B Copeland fixing her “Hair by Honda”
When then departed for Serbin and our last of our Churches, St. Paul’s Lutheran. On the way into Serbin we passed the local School Bus. We would later learn that the driver was the keeper of knowledge for St Paul’s and when he is not piloting buses, he mans the Museum which was closed. This was due to the curator being on Bus Duty. We were advised to wait for him but we had places to go and people to see and there was the prospect of ice cream waiting further on down the road. We left Serbin and as we made our way back to Hutto, riders with pending tasks started to peel off. First Jim and Tanya and then Buzz and Judy. I guess they weren’t as excited about ice cream. Earlier in the ride, “Buzz” Landry’s nickname became evident as he rode upon some carrion and a Buzzard who was the last of his class in flight school. Needless to say “Buzz” had to duck lest he wanted to floss his teeth with Buzzard feathers. Falcon said it was inevitable and thus how Buzz was dubbed “Buzz”.
On our way back, the trip to get ice cream in Weir was changed for pie at the Texan Cafe in Hutto. I was a little dissapointed but the prospect of pie sounded good too. So instead of bowl’s of ice cream dancing in my head, I began thinking of pie. If one were to declare a Pie Palace in Central Texas, the Texan Cafe would be in the top three. They even have a Pie Happy Hour! As we neared Hutto once more, I saw the familiar Hippo’s and began to drool for some Pie! We are gonna get some Pie! I started signing the Pie Song in my head. We arrived and parked in front of the Texan Cafe and learned by handwritten sign they are closed for the Holidays. Okay, my thoughts of Ice Cream and Pie were now foiled. I wanted to cry. Ice Cream, you can’t have that! Pie!, can’t have that either! Would I be reduced to settling for a Twinkie and 5 hour Energy Shot in a gast station store?
A local and a fellow Motorcyclist saw our plight and gave us information that Coffee could be procured at the adjoining beer joint and next door to that, other fresh baked goods could be secured. With a little imagination and the help of two businesses, we would or at least I would satisfy my craving for sugar and caffiene. “It’s just a trip until something goes wrong, then it’s an Adventure”. Although disappointed, it was just another instance of how a Motorcycle ride can evolve to equal or surpass your expectations. We sat down and had some Gourmet Cup Cakes at Leave it with Edith Bake Shop and even got the owner to throw on a fresh pot of Joe, even though it was near closing time. Disappointment led to discovery of two new places to visit and a great way to finish a good day with friends.
C and I were done for the day, it was getting near dusk. We had over 210 miles under our belt, with a few mounts and dismounts thrown in. Falcon, Di Di, Bling, Steve and the Schumaucher’s headed into to town to look at the pretty lights (Christmas Light Decorations). It was on their way home the prospect of balancing my machine in a line of traffic to look at shiny stuff didn’t fancy me. Plus, we wanted to take the Grand kids in the cage to look at the lights later.
If you want an all day ride, the Painted Churches Tour is a great option. It will fulfill your need to get out of the house and provide you with an informative and relaxing day. Hopefully, this little story will give you an idea of whats in store. If you check the links (bold text) I’ve provided, you can get more information and plan your own route or ride. Be Safe, Ride Safe!
The route, 210 plus miles.
Planning a ride this year? I’m a sucker for the Trivial when I’m on a road trip and won’t pass up the opportunity to see the Worlds Largest Frying Pan, Prairie dog, or Weird Roadside Attractions.
The next time you plan your route, visit Roadside America to see what gems lay in wait on your route.
On my bucket list is a Motorcycle Trip through Vietnam. Here is an article forwarded to me by Sid Street of Arizona. Vietnam ended up at the top of the list.
Click on the pic for the article.
My friend Bob Hole sent out this poem and it’s worth sharing.
I Rode With My Buddies Today
by Kari Prager
I rode with my buddies today.
We rode in a line of headlights and tailpipes, not going anywhere special, not even going fast, just meandering like a herd of elk to move through the forest at our own pace.
Our sound precedes us, not loud but unmistakable, the power of this most romantic way of moving.
The pleasure is in the going, the mobility, the little acts of control that contrive to keep us centered on the road.
The crackle of dead leaves, the burnt bitterness of autumn, the smell of the moon still shining in the blue of the sky, magical in the motion of the moment.
I feel my friends flowing around the bends, the line of bikes without conscious order, in symmetrical array, till we signal the end, stopping and turning back into individuals, the magic fading as the motors are stilled, the jackets come off, and we breathe in the mundane and profane air of the stationary world.
I thought this Motivational Poster expressed how I feel about riding and Motorcycling. Although I usually don’t purposely leave when its raining.
This looks like a good reason to ride and check off Big Bend National Park off my Bucket List.
The mighty Rio Grande runs through Bend National Park
Details can be found here at the Two Wheeled Texan Forum: Around the Bend 2011
