KRATZMC

2011 Tour of Honor Southern Sites

Posted on March 20th, 2011 by admin

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.