1. Where do you sleep? Motels, B&B's
2. How big is Texas? Huge, spent 14 nights, almost 1/3 of trip
3. Did the snake bite uncle Larry? No, uncle Larry is very careful and knows alots about
snakes
4. Is it raining where you are? No, we had little rain yesterday
5. Where do you wash your clothes? Sink, swimming pools,laundry
6. How many tires have you used? 3 tires and 6 tubes
7. Do you have to stop and do maintenance to your bikes? Some, change flats mostly
8. Are your legs tired? My legs get a little tired after about 90 miles
9. Has anyone had any injures? One, only cuts and bruises nothing major
10. Are you tired? No
11. Do you think you will be on time? Yes
12. How much money have your raised for your charity? Don't know yet
13. Did Uncle Larry keep the snakes? No Uncle Larry lets them go
14. Has any bulls charged at you? Only one but we ran
15. Did you know Mrs. Hocutt was from Texas? No - What part?
16. Since cowboys don't ride bikes did they like your bikes? They are very impressed with our
trip!
Be Good, see you guys soon!
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, Share Bear and Uncle Larry
Study Hard and Listen too your Teacher!
Also - Share Bear wants to know if his friends in K4 got him some Shark Teeth on their field trip!!!???!!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Day 31: April 30, 2009
Day 31 - Amite, LA to Bogalusa, LA: Last day in Louisiana - a wet ride
Thursday April 30, 2009, 63 miles (101 km) - Total so far: 2,312 miles (3,721 km)
Weather: Temperatures were 73 to 85, mostly cloudy skies with occasional drizzle, south winds at 10 mph, and very very humid.
The ride today was relatively short and easy, and most of it was pretty as we rode through more back roads of rural southeastern Louisiana. We got a few sprinkles of rain along the way for the 1st time, but we were all soaking wet from the very high humidity. The cloud cover kept us from being steamed to death, and the breeze was enough to cool us off, but this was by far the most humid day of the ride. I suppose that is appropriate given the part of the country we are in. The terrain today was fairly hilly, with last ten miles being very winding. I much prefer riding winding country roads rather than straight and flat roads. The town of Bogalusa sits on the Pearl River, the boundary line between Louisiana and Mississippi. So, tomorrow we cross into Mississippi early on, for our sixth state (officially) on our journey. Only Alabama and Florida are left! Bogalusa is apparently a paper mill or pulp mill town. We saw several pulp wood trucks today, and the air around here smells like paper mills are here abouts.
Until tomorrow!
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Thursday April 30, 2009, 63 miles (101 km) - Total so far: 2,312 miles (3,721 km)
Weather: Temperatures were 73 to 85, mostly cloudy skies with occasional drizzle, south winds at 10 mph, and very very humid.
The ride today was relatively short and easy, and most of it was pretty as we rode through more back roads of rural southeastern Louisiana. We got a few sprinkles of rain along the way for the 1st time, but we were all soaking wet from the very high humidity. The cloud cover kept us from being steamed to death, and the breeze was enough to cool us off, but this was by far the most humid day of the ride. I suppose that is appropriate given the part of the country we are in. The terrain today was fairly hilly, with last ten miles being very winding. I much prefer riding winding country roads rather than straight and flat roads. The town of Bogalusa sits on the Pearl River, the boundary line between Louisiana and Mississippi. So, tomorrow we cross into Mississippi early on, for our sixth state (officially) on our journey. Only Alabama and Florida are left! Bogalusa is apparently a paper mill or pulp mill town. We saw several pulp wood trucks today, and the air around here smells like paper mills are here abouts.
Until tomorrow!
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Day 30: April 29, 2009
Day 30 - St Francisville, LA to Amite, LA: Mississippi two days early!!!!
Wednesday April 29, 2009, 85 miles (137 km) - Total so far: 2,249 miles (3,619 km)
Weather: Temperatures 70-86, winds southeast at 10 mph., skies were partly cloudy to fair.
Today was one of the nicest and most scenic rides we have had in awhile. This part of Louisiana is very pretty with lots of hills and woods. The best thing about the ride today wast that the route went though some very remote areas and we saw almost no cars. This is the area that is the 'toe of the boot' of Louisiana, north of New Orleans and just south of the Mississippi line. Also known as Jerry Clower Country. We are staying tonight in the town of Amite, LA, in Amite Parish. You may recall Jerry talking about the Amite River Swamp in some of his routines. We did have one little mishap, so to speak. About half-way through the ride as we were enjoying a smooth, traffic less, tree-shade road through rural Louisiana, we missed a critical turn. After traveling a few miles on the wrong road, we suddenly saw a "Welcome to Mississippi" sign. Uh oh, we aren't supposed to get to Mississippi for another 2 days !! I think Curt got confused after we turned around, and actually went back to Mississippi a second time, so he rode more than everybody else today. Will drove SAG today with Anna as a passenger. She felt MUCH better today. Besides a noticeable limp, Anna was her usual chipper self, and we all breathed a huge sigh of relief when we she announced at breakfast that she felt pretty good. She is such an asset to our group that it would have sad to lose her to an accident. Will spent most of his time at the rest stops today working on repairing Anna's bike. He seems to have it in pretty good shape. Hopefully, she will be able to ride some before the ride is over. We only have 10 more days!!!
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Share Bear, and Flat Stanley
Day 29: April 28, 2009
Hey Brylan - we got to meet the cops today! They said to tell you hey!
Day 29 - Ville Platte, LA to St Francisville, LA: Murphy Royal - the good Samaritan and Anna's mishap
Tuesday April 28, 2009, 95 miles (153 km) - Total so far: 2,164 miles (3,483 km)
Weather: Temperatures 71-81, winds southeast and light, skies cloudy to mostly cloudy.
Today was the most unique riding day of the whole trip. Lots of stuff happened today. First of all, most of the riders got together and decided that they didn't want to ride 125 miles. So, a route was devised that would have been about 75 miles. The route was neither scenic nor pleasant as 40 miles of it was on heavily traveled US 190. By chance, I stopped at a store, and was informed by the proprietor that the ferry across the Mississippi River to St Francisville was closed for repairs and wouldn't open until the weekend. As luck would have it, the new route headed toward Baton Rouge, the site of the closest bridge across the river. Had we ridden the original route, we would still be out there! The next thing that happened was that when we got to the US 190 bridge in Baton Rouge, we found out that it not only had no shoulders to ride on, but that it was illegal to ride a bike on it without a police escort. Just at that moment, a nice couple - Mr. Murphy Royal and his wife Patsy - pulled up in an old pick-up and offered us a ride across the bridge. So, we loaded seven bikes and seven riders in the back of the truck - Larry rode in the cab - and got a lift across a very dangerous bridge. Thanks to Mr Royal we were able to get to St Francisville. The total mileage turned out to be less than 100 miles.The third thing that happened was that as we were approaching St Francisville, Anna hit a pot hole going down a hill and took a nasty fall. After a trip to the hospital where they cleaned her up, it was determined that she had no serious injuries. She has a bad bruise on her thigh, but is otherwise going to be OK. Her bike was in a bad state, though. We all finally got to the very nice St Francisville Inn. Pam Bucy, Larry's friend from Tuscaloosa, joined us there and will be riding with us for the next week. Pam is a strong rider and a very sweet lady, and everyone was glad to have another woman on the ride. Of course it helped that she brought a box of freshly baked cookies which lasted almost 30 minutes. Neil had a some friends from Baton Rougue join us this evening. They were nice to take us to supper at a great local Cajun seafood restaurant. While we were eating, Will and Anna came back from the hospital and joined us, to a loud ovation.
well - until later....
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Monday, April 27, 2009
Day 28: April 27, 2009
Day 28 - DeRidder, LA to Ville Platte, LA: Craw fish and boudin
Monday April 27, 2009, 77 miles (124 km) - Total so far: 2,069 miles (3,330 km)
Weather: Temperatures 66-85, winds southeast at 15-25 mph and gusty, skies were cloudy to partly cloudy.
Today was a nice ride, despite the wind, through small Cajun villages and past many craw fish ponds. The terrain was flat, and many of the roads were rough - usually the case on Louisiana back roads. But traffic was light and the wind was mostly a cross-wind which didn't impede our progress all that much. We have had a consistent southeast wind for the past 4 days. Hopefully it will change directions before we start heading south again toward the Gulf coast. The high light of the ride today, as far as I am concerned, was at the end. Larry found a local place that sold fresh boudin and he brought us a mess of it to the motel - freshly made and still hot. Boudin is an extremely good-tasting sausage like stuff made only in Louisiana, as far as I know. It is made of cooked rice and ground pork and good Cajun spices encased in - well you don't need know what it is encased in. But I love boudin and we devoured all we had in short order. We were glad to have Curt back in the group today. Charles picked him up last night at the airport in Beaumont, TX. Thanks, Charles!!!! Tomorrow is another long day, about 128 miles. Originally I had calculated it at 110 miles, but after a re-calculation I determined the distance to be more like 128. Oh well, after 100 miles, a few more won't make much difference.
City street in Cajun country
Yes - once again Larry and once again... DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME!
Larry held this up to show Flat Stanley because he knew all the kids from his class would be getting to see the snakes at the zoo today... and he didn't have to miss out either!
uncle later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Monday April 27, 2009, 77 miles (124 km) - Total so far: 2,069 miles (3,330 km)
Weather: Temperatures 66-85, winds southeast at 15-25 mph and gusty, skies were cloudy to partly cloudy.
Today was a nice ride, despite the wind, through small Cajun villages and past many craw fish ponds. The terrain was flat, and many of the roads were rough - usually the case on Louisiana back roads. But traffic was light and the wind was mostly a cross-wind which didn't impede our progress all that much. We have had a consistent southeast wind for the past 4 days. Hopefully it will change directions before we start heading south again toward the Gulf coast. The high light of the ride today, as far as I am concerned, was at the end. Larry found a local place that sold fresh boudin and he brought us a mess of it to the motel - freshly made and still hot. Boudin is an extremely good-tasting sausage like stuff made only in Louisiana, as far as I know. It is made of cooked rice and ground pork and good Cajun spices encased in - well you don't need know what it is encased in. But I love boudin and we devoured all we had in short order. We were glad to have Curt back in the group today. Charles picked him up last night at the airport in Beaumont, TX. Thanks, Charles!!!! Tomorrow is another long day, about 128 miles. Originally I had calculated it at 110 miles, but after a re-calculation I determined the distance to be more like 128. Oh well, after 100 miles, a few more won't make much difference.
City street in Cajun country
Yes - once again Larry and once again... DO NOT DO THIS AT HOME!
Larry held this up to show Flat Stanley because he knew all the kids from his class would be getting to see the snakes at the zoo today... and he didn't have to miss out either!
uncle later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Day 27: April 26, 2009
Day 27 - Kountze, TX to DeRidder, LA: FINALLY out of Texas!!!!
Sunday April 26, 2009, 84 miles (135 km) - Total so far: 1,992 miles (3,206 km)
Weather: Temperatures 68-82, partly cloudy skies, southeast winds at 15-25 mph.
The ride today was mostly on good roads aided by a brisk quartering tailwind. On occasion, however, when we turned slightly south, the southeast wind made riding difficult. After yesterday, though, the 84 miles went by quickly. The terrain today was flat all the way. About 20 miles from the end of the ride, we crossed over the Sabine River into Louisiana. Everyone was so glad to finally get out of Texas that I made a group picture of the riders at the Texas state line. There was no "welcome to Louisiana" sign on the other side, however. This is a land of swampy looking forests and bayous. I am looking forward to some jambalaya and boudin sausage. Tonight, Curt is supposed to rejoin us. Charles has agreed to drive the van over 200 miles roundtrip to Beaumont, TX, to pick him up at the airport there. But everyone is glad to have Curt back in the group. We are looking forward to tonight... a local church here that just happens to have some of my relatives as members is cooking for us... it will be great to see them and to be at church on a Sunday! I think one of the kids asked that in a question a few weeks back! Also, Flat Stanley wants his friends back in Mrs. Hocutt's class to all be careful tomorrow as they go on their field trip to the zoo! He really hates to miss it but says he thinks his field trip across America has been a lot of fun too!
Leaving Texas!
Can you find Share Bear and Flat Stanley... here's a hint - they are sitting in their new found friends lap!
until later...
Uncle Barry, Share Bear, and Flat Stanley
Sunday April 26, 2009, 84 miles (135 km) - Total so far: 1,992 miles (3,206 km)
Weather: Temperatures 68-82, partly cloudy skies, southeast winds at 15-25 mph.
The ride today was mostly on good roads aided by a brisk quartering tailwind. On occasion, however, when we turned slightly south, the southeast wind made riding difficult. After yesterday, though, the 84 miles went by quickly. The terrain today was flat all the way. About 20 miles from the end of the ride, we crossed over the Sabine River into Louisiana. Everyone was so glad to finally get out of Texas that I made a group picture of the riders at the Texas state line. There was no "welcome to Louisiana" sign on the other side, however. This is a land of swampy looking forests and bayous. I am looking forward to some jambalaya and boudin sausage. Tonight, Curt is supposed to rejoin us. Charles has agreed to drive the van over 200 miles roundtrip to Beaumont, TX, to pick him up at the airport there. But everyone is glad to have Curt back in the group. We are looking forward to tonight... a local church here that just happens to have some of my relatives as members is cooking for us... it will be great to see them and to be at church on a Sunday! I think one of the kids asked that in a question a few weeks back! Also, Flat Stanley wants his friends back in Mrs. Hocutt's class to all be careful tomorrow as they go on their field trip to the zoo! He really hates to miss it but says he thinks his field trip across America has been a lot of fun too!
Leaving Texas!
Can you find Share Bear and Flat Stanley... here's a hint - they are sitting in their new found friends lap!
until later...
Uncle Barry, Share Bear, and Flat Stanley
Day 26: April 25, 2009
Day 26 - Navasota, TX to Kountze, TX: The longest day
Saturday April 25, 2009, 132 miles (212 km) - Total so far: 1,908 miles (3,071 km)
Weather: Temperatures 67-85, cloudy to partly cloudy skies, Southeast winds at 15-25 mph.
Most of us have never ridden so far in a single day. But, everybody who started the ride made it, except for Neil who didn't feel real energetic today. The remarkable thing was that despite the long mileage, everyone made it in within 20 minutes of each other, between 5:20 and 5:40 PM. Let me say this about 132 miles: it is a loooooooooooooooooooooooong way on a bike!!!!!We started the ride at 0700 after a good breakfast. The first part of the ride was pretty hilly over rough, narrow farm roads. After about 30 miles, we rode through the Sam Houston National Forest - mostly pine trees it appeared - and over the upper end of Lake Conroe on the San Jacinto River. Then we headed through the town of Coldspring, TX, on the shores of Lake Livingston. After that the terrain got real flat, and we rode mostly with a cross-wind. This area is mostly woods and lots of creeks, and not really a lot of farms and ranches. I happened to miss the van rest stops twice (I just wasn't paying attention I guess), so I ended up riding 80 miles alone and without any food. Finally, after about 100 miles, Charles found me and I had a great lunch of tuna and macaroni (prepared by Charles), which got me in the rest of the way. I didn't take any pictures today as I was concentrating on just making it to the finish. Most everyone was exhausted when we got to the motel in Kountze, so Tom and Neil went and bought a couple of large buckets of greasy fried chicken, which was devoured in, oh, about 6 minutes, as we sat around the pool with a cooler of ice cold beverages.
until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Saturday April 25, 2009, 132 miles (212 km) - Total so far: 1,908 miles (3,071 km)
Weather: Temperatures 67-85, cloudy to partly cloudy skies, Southeast winds at 15-25 mph.
Most of us have never ridden so far in a single day. But, everybody who started the ride made it, except for Neil who didn't feel real energetic today. The remarkable thing was that despite the long mileage, everyone made it in within 20 minutes of each other, between 5:20 and 5:40 PM. Let me say this about 132 miles: it is a loooooooooooooooooooooooong way on a bike!!!!!We started the ride at 0700 after a good breakfast. The first part of the ride was pretty hilly over rough, narrow farm roads. After about 30 miles, we rode through the Sam Houston National Forest - mostly pine trees it appeared - and over the upper end of Lake Conroe on the San Jacinto River. Then we headed through the town of Coldspring, TX, on the shores of Lake Livingston. After that the terrain got real flat, and we rode mostly with a cross-wind. This area is mostly woods and lots of creeks, and not really a lot of farms and ranches. I happened to miss the van rest stops twice (I just wasn't paying attention I guess), so I ended up riding 80 miles alone and without any food. Finally, after about 100 miles, Charles found me and I had a great lunch of tuna and macaroni (prepared by Charles), which got me in the rest of the way. I didn't take any pictures today as I was concentrating on just making it to the finish. Most everyone was exhausted when we got to the motel in Kountze, so Tom and Neil went and bought a couple of large buckets of greasy fried chicken, which was devoured in, oh, about 6 minutes, as we sat around the pool with a cooler of ice cold beverages.
until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Day 25: April 24, 2009
Day 25 - LaGrange, TX to Navasota, TX: Bluebonnets and history
Friday April 24, 2009, 70 miles (113 km) - Total so far: 1,776 miles (2,858 km)
Weather: Temperatures 61-71, cloudy skies, winds 10-15 mph from the south.
Today's ride was extremely pretty and extremely interesting. From the very start this morning, as we rode out of LaGrange, we started to see field after field of Texas bluebonnets, along with countless other wildflowers. The display was spectacular and went on the entire 70 miles. The locals told us that the bluebonnets are actually past peak, but they looked spectacular to me. The photos cannot capture the scope of the wildflower display we witnessed today. In addition, this part of Texas, roughly due north of Houston, is in a very historic part of the state in terms of the early American settlements here. We saw many old homes, old cemeteries, and monuments dating back to the 1820's and 1830's. The town of Independence, TX, founded in 1836, is a living museum of old buildings, and is the original site of Baylor University. We rode through the town of Washington, originally the site of Washington-on-the-Brazos, where the Texans proclaimed independence from Mexico in 1836. The riding today was pleasant as there was a heavy overcast which kept the temperatures very moderate, even though it was very humid. Tomorrow is our 130-mile ride. We are all ready to give it a go, planning to leave at first light. One final note: I enjoyed talking to the kids in Mrs. Yarber's class today. Share Bear and Flat Stanley were jealous!
until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Day 24: April 23, 2009
Day 24 - Lockhart, TX to LaGrange, TX: Into the deep South
Thursday April 23, 2009, 71 miles (114 km) - Total so far: 1,706 miles (2,746 km)
Weather: Temperatures 61-83, winds south 10-25 mph, partly cloudy skies.
Today we saw Spanish moss, lots of pine trees, and deep woods. The air is humid and hot. Feels like home!!!! The ride today featured a 15-mile stretch through two Texas state parks. The park roads were up and down and roller-coaster, and very shaded. There were several steep hills in the park that measured up to 18% grade, but they were very short. Some of the riders got worn down from the constant up and down, but there were no cars and the deep woods made us feel like we we were far from civilization. After leaving the parks we rode through east Texas farm country, right into a strong headwind for the last 10 miles. There is not much in LaGrange, but the town is noted as the site of the "Best Little House in Texas" made famous by the Dolly Parton movie. We are staying at the only motel in town, the Oak Motel, which is run by a very charming couple. They gave us all a bottle of cold water when we checked in. Apparently, this is a regular stop for cross-country cyclers. They have a book containing the names of thousands of cyclers who have stayed at their motel. Some of the group took an excursion this afternoon to the brewery in Shiner, TX., where they make Shiner Boock, thanks to the efforts of Will and Anna Haltiwanger. (I stayed in LaGrange to work on the ride journal).
until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Thursday April 23, 2009, 71 miles (114 km) - Total so far: 1,706 miles (2,746 km)
Weather: Temperatures 61-83, winds south 10-25 mph, partly cloudy skies.
Today we saw Spanish moss, lots of pine trees, and deep woods. The air is humid and hot. Feels like home!!!! The ride today featured a 15-mile stretch through two Texas state parks. The park roads were up and down and roller-coaster, and very shaded. There were several steep hills in the park that measured up to 18% grade, but they were very short. Some of the riders got worn down from the constant up and down, but there were no cars and the deep woods made us feel like we we were far from civilization. After leaving the parks we rode through east Texas farm country, right into a strong headwind for the last 10 miles. There is not much in LaGrange, but the town is noted as the site of the "Best Little House in Texas" made famous by the Dolly Parton movie. We are staying at the only motel in town, the Oak Motel, which is run by a very charming couple. They gave us all a bottle of cold water when we checked in. Apparently, this is a regular stop for cross-country cyclers. They have a book containing the names of thousands of cyclers who have stayed at their motel. Some of the group took an excursion this afternoon to the brewery in Shiner, TX., where they make Shiner Boock, thanks to the efforts of Will and Anna Haltiwanger. (I stayed in LaGrange to work on the ride journal).
until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Day 23: April 22, 2009
Day 23 - Blanco, TX to Lockhart, TX: Out if the Hill Country
Wednesday April 22, 2009, 63 miles (101 km) - Total so far: 1,635 miles (2,631 km)
Weather: Temperature 62-91, winds 10-25 mph out of the south, sunny skies.
This was the hottest day so far, but the ride was fairly easy as it was more down hill than up hill. We went through a series of hills to start with, with fairly heavy traffic. As we approached Lockhart, the terrain became flat and there were large open farm lands in every direction. It looks more like south Georgia except that there are bluebonnets and other flowers in proliferation in the un-tilled fields, plus the occasional cacti are present here as well. The climate is noticeably more humid as we get into East Texas. The town of Lockhart is a very pretty town of about 7000. The downtown centers around a very pretty court house you can see in the picture. Just off the square, Larry, Bobby, and I ate lunch at Black's BBQ. It was perhaps some of the best I have ever had. They smoke beef brisket over post oak coals. It is tender and flavorful. Black's claims to be the oldest BBQ in Texas and Lockart claims to be the BBQ capital of Texas. However, I am finding out that almost every town in Texas claims to be the something-or-other capital of Texas. I have to admit that this is a very unique state. I have enjoyed my journey across it.
Wednesday April 22, 2009, 63 miles (101 km) - Total so far: 1,635 miles (2,631 km)
Weather: Temperature 62-91, winds 10-25 mph out of the south, sunny skies.
This was the hottest day so far, but the ride was fairly easy as it was more down hill than up hill. We went through a series of hills to start with, with fairly heavy traffic. As we approached Lockhart, the terrain became flat and there were large open farm lands in every direction. It looks more like south Georgia except that there are bluebonnets and other flowers in proliferation in the un-tilled fields, plus the occasional cacti are present here as well. The climate is noticeably more humid as we get into East Texas. The town of Lockhart is a very pretty town of about 7000. The downtown centers around a very pretty court house you can see in the picture. Just off the square, Larry, Bobby, and I ate lunch at Black's BBQ. It was perhaps some of the best I have ever had. They smoke beef brisket over post oak coals. It is tender and flavorful. Black's claims to be the oldest BBQ in Texas and Lockart claims to be the BBQ capital of Texas. However, I am finding out that almost every town in Texas claims to be the something-or-other capital of Texas. I have to admit that this is a very unique state. I have enjoyed my journey across it.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Day 22: April 21, 2009
Day 22 - Kerrville, TX to Blanco, TX: Deep in the Heart of Texas
Tuesday April 21, 2009, 64 miles (103 km) - Total so far: 1,572 miles (2,530 km)
Weather: Temperatures 47-85, winds NW 0-5 mph, skies sunny.
Today we continued through the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The morning was cool and clear as we left Kerrville. We rode for a several miles along the Guadalupe River before turning slightly north. Along the way, we went up and down all day long on lonely back roads. There are hundreds of ranches in this area. One ranch had Texas longhorns, but they ran off before I could get a picture. Besides the little towns of Comfort, TX., and Waring, TX., there was little more than isolated cattle ranches, scrubby forests, and lots and lots of hills. This was a nice ride because there was almost no traffic all day.We had a nice rest stop, in the tiny community of Sisterdale, at a winery that once was a cotton gin. The town of Blanco is on the edge of the German area in this part of Texas. It is a small town that has almost all of its businesses in the block around the Blanco County court house. Couldn't upload pictures today, hopefully I'll get them on tomorrow.
Until Later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Tuesday April 21, 2009, 64 miles (103 km) - Total so far: 1,572 miles (2,530 km)
Weather: Temperatures 47-85, winds NW 0-5 mph, skies sunny.
Today we continued through the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The morning was cool and clear as we left Kerrville. We rode for a several miles along the Guadalupe River before turning slightly north. Along the way, we went up and down all day long on lonely back roads. There are hundreds of ranches in this area. One ranch had Texas longhorns, but they ran off before I could get a picture. Besides the little towns of Comfort, TX., and Waring, TX., there was little more than isolated cattle ranches, scrubby forests, and lots and lots of hills. This was a nice ride because there was almost no traffic all day.We had a nice rest stop, in the tiny community of Sisterdale, at a winery that once was a cotton gin. The town of Blanco is on the edge of the German area in this part of Texas. It is a small town that has almost all of its businesses in the block around the Blanco County court house. Couldn't upload pictures today, hopefully I'll get them on tomorrow.
Until Later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Monday, April 20, 2009
Day 21: April 20, 2009
Lobby of the ranch resort we are staying in for tonight.
Rock Ranch!
Flat Stanley eating a cheese cracker at a rest stop. Flat doesn't pedal very much, he mostly just rides along, but he eats a LOT!!!!! Wonder how he stays so thin?
Some kind of African antelopes
Day 21 - Vanderpool, TX to Kerrville, TX: Texas Hill Country
Monday April 20, 2009, 51 miles (82 km) - Total so far: 1,508 miles (2,427 km)
Weather: Temperatures cool 47 to 78, winds north at 7-10mph, sunny skies.
Today we rode through the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The ride started with a long and very steep climb followed by long downhills. Then we came down into the valley of the Guadalupe River, which we followed for miles. The road went up and down and around as we crossed the Guadalupe about a dozen times. In Hunt, TX, we stopped at a neat country store for a glass of ice tea. The whole area is a summer tourist area. The river is pretty and is heavily wooded along its banks. This is extremely pretty country. We also passed a lot of hunting ranches, some of which were stocked with exotic African animals which they kept behind high fences. Doesn't seem very sporting to me. I did see some white tail deer mixed in among the exotics. Yesterday we spooked a group of three male turkeys, 2 toms and a jake. The big one, which had a very long beard and appeared to be quite large, stopped on the side of the road and gobbled loudly as Anna rode by. The other two flew across the road right to the big tom and they all hauled tail into the forest.
until later...
until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Day 20: April 19, 2009
Day 20 - Camp Wood, TX to Vanderpool, TX: HALF WAY!!!!!
Sunday April 19, 2009, 40 miles (64 km) - Total so far: 1,457 miles (2,345 km)
Weather: Temperatures 51-72, sunny skies, winds northwest at 10-12 mph.
Well, today was the half--way point. We have ridden 20 days and have 20 days left. Today was a short ride, but we had three severe climbs with grades of up to 12%. Along the way we entered the beautiful Texas Hill Country. The terrain was hilly but much greener and more heavily wooded than we have been experiencing. The further into the hills we get, the less dry it looks, and there is actually water in the creeks and rivers. Curt had too leave us today for business. He plans to be back in a week. In the meantime, we stayed in some very nice vacation cabins near Vanderpool, called Foxfire Cabins. We bought some chicken, potatoes, onions, and hamburger and had a great cookout, thanks to Charles and Larry.
until later....
uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Sunday April 19, 2009, 40 miles (64 km) - Total so far: 1,457 miles (2,345 km)
Weather: Temperatures 51-72, sunny skies, winds northwest at 10-12 mph.
Well, today was the half--way point. We have ridden 20 days and have 20 days left. Today was a short ride, but we had three severe climbs with grades of up to 12%. Along the way we entered the beautiful Texas Hill Country. The terrain was hilly but much greener and more heavily wooded than we have been experiencing. The further into the hills we get, the less dry it looks, and there is actually water in the creeks and rivers. Curt had too leave us today for business. He plans to be back in a week. In the meantime, we stayed in some very nice vacation cabins near Vanderpool, called Foxfire Cabins. We bought some chicken, potatoes, onions, and hamburger and had a great cookout, thanks to Charles and Larry.
until later....
uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Day 19: April 18, 2009
Day 19 - Del Rio, TX to Camp Wood, TX: Hills and forests
Saturday April 18, 2009, 89 miles (143 km) - Total so far: 1,417 miles (2,280 km)
Weather: Temperatures were 67 in the morning and 88 in the afternoon, winds Northwest at 10, partly cloudy to cloudy skies.
Today's ride was very hard ride. Not only did it come after a 110-mile day, but there was no tailwind, we gained altitude, and the we rode on Texas "Ranch Roads" which are ALL paved with chip-seal pavement, also known as "popcorn"" pavement or "shake-and-bake". Other than the difficulty and discomfort, the scenery changed dramatically today. We went from dry, flat scrub-brush country to a greener, hillier, and more forested landscape. We are now on the edge of the famous Texas Hill Country. Camp Wood is a small town of 800 and sort of sleepy. We had to stop and have lunch on the side of the road as you can see!
Day 18: April 17, 2009
Flat Stanley has loved every minute of the trip! He has really enjoyed the food too!
Check out this town's courthouse.
Larry holding a rattlesnake.... DO NOT TRY THAT AT HOME!
Day 18 - Sanderson, TX to Lake Amistad (Del Rio, TX): Tailwinds!!!!
Friday April 17, 2009, 110 miles (177 km) - Total so far: 1,328 miles (2,137 km)
Weather:temperatures mid 60's to mid 80's, wind northwest at 10-15 mph, mostly Sunny skies.
This update is a day late (hopefully not a dollar short!) as we had no Internet last night. But here is the scoop: This was a long day, longest ride of the trip so far, but most of us completed the 110 miles in 6 hours of riding. There was a nice tailwind most of the way, plus we lost over 2000 feet of altitude as we rode into the Rio Grande Valley once again. The ride was the fastest and easiest 110 miles you could ask for. The scenery got a little old - dry scrub desert - after awhile. The highlight of the day for me was visiting the old town of Langtry, TX, where Judge Roy Bean held court, west of the Pecos River. There is a nice museum there plus the original saloon where he held court. The other highlight was crossing the extremely beautiful Pecos River. The river is clear bright green and runs in a fairly deep canyon where the highway crosses it. As we got nearer to Del Rio, we saw more and more US Border Patrol cars. The Border Patrol is very active in this area. Del Rio is a major port of entry into the US. We didn't ride all the way into Del Rio, but instead stopped 9 miles short on the edge of beautiful Lake Amistad. Lake Amistad is formed by a dam on the Rio Grande and is partly in Mexico. It is a well-known bass-fishing lake and the site of a recent national bass tournament.
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Day 17: April 16, 2009
Day 17 - Marathon, TX to Sanderson, TX: More West Texas expanse
Thursday April 16, 2009, 55 miles (89 km) - Total so far: 1,218 miles (1,960 km)
Weather: Temperatures 47-84, winds southeast light and variable, clear skies. Today's ride was another fairly easy day, but the hottest day of the trip so far. The terrain was mostly a constant gradual downhill which made the riding very pleasurable, despite some late crosswinds and headwinds. We all hated to leave Marathon, a small but unique town. After a great breakfast, served by a transplanted Georgian, the entire route beyond Marathon was almost a devoid of towns, people, and traffic. It gives one a very lonely feeling when you are out there alone. I am struck by the vast openness of this area. The only thing we saw of note besides a few isolated ranches and a few cattle, were a small herd of the stores are closed and deer off in the distance. Like everywhere in the desert southwest in spring, flowers were everywhere. Sanderson is a sad town. Once a railroad town, the locals told us that over 70% of the houses here are now vacant. Most of the stores are closed, and there are a couple of old motels trying to survive in a dying town. Like everywhere we have been, though, the people are nice and everyone seems to have good attitudes. This bike ride is reinforcing my belief in the great American optimism that drives our culture.
Thursday April 16, 2009, 55 miles (89 km) - Total so far: 1,218 miles (1,960 km)
Weather: Temperatures 47-84, winds southeast light and variable, clear skies. Today's ride was another fairly easy day, but the hottest day of the trip so far. The terrain was mostly a constant gradual downhill which made the riding very pleasurable, despite some late crosswinds and headwinds. We all hated to leave Marathon, a small but unique town. After a great breakfast, served by a transplanted Georgian, the entire route beyond Marathon was almost a devoid of towns, people, and traffic. It gives one a very lonely feeling when you are out there alone. I am struck by the vast openness of this area. The only thing we saw of note besides a few isolated ranches and a few cattle, were a small herd of the stores are closed and deer off in the distance. Like everywhere in the desert southwest in spring, flowers were everywhere. Sanderson is a sad town. Once a railroad town, the locals told us that over 70% of the houses here are now vacant. Most of the stores are closed, and there are a couple of old motels trying to survive in a dying town. Like everywhere we have been, though, the people are nice and everyone seems to have good attitudes. This bike ride is reinforcing my belief in the great American optimism that drives our culture.
Hope all is well back home.
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Day 16: April 15, 2009
Day 16 - Fort Davis, TX to Marathon, TX: Miles and miles of Texas
Wednesday April 15, 2009, 55 miles (89 km) - Total so far: 1,163 miles (1,872 km)
Weather: Sunny skies, temperatures 57 to 81, winds 10-12 mph from the south. After almost 200 miles and lots of climbing the last two days, today was a nice recovery day. After breakfast at a local cafe in Fort Davis, we did a slow ride out into the expanses of West Texas. On the way we stopped in the very nice and charming town of Alpine, Texas. In Alpine, Larry and I stopped at a cafe/bakery and had a fresh-baked sticky bun and iced tea (bike rider fare!). After Alpine, there was nothing but open spaces and a cross-wind all the way to Marathon. The purple flowers that I have been seeing were prolific in this area. The motel in Marathon is a combination motel, campground, and RV park. It is very pretty and very well done. The town of Marathon has only 500 people but has this place, another B&B, and the historic Gage Hotel (which was too costly for us poor bike riders). The town is the gateway to Big Bend National Park, about 60 miles south of here.
Wednesday April 15, 2009, 55 miles (89 km) - Total so far: 1,163 miles (1,872 km)
Weather: Sunny skies, temperatures 57 to 81, winds 10-12 mph from the south. After almost 200 miles and lots of climbing the last two days, today was a nice recovery day. After breakfast at a local cafe in Fort Davis, we did a slow ride out into the expanses of West Texas. On the way we stopped in the very nice and charming town of Alpine, Texas. In Alpine, Larry and I stopped at a cafe/bakery and had a fresh-baked sticky bun and iced tea (bike rider fare!). After Alpine, there was nothing but open spaces and a cross-wind all the way to Marathon. The purple flowers that I have been seeing were prolific in this area. The motel in Marathon is a combination motel, campground, and RV park. It is very pretty and very well done. The town of Marathon has only 500 people but has this place, another B&B, and the historic Gage Hotel (which was too costly for us poor bike riders). The town is the gateway to Big Bend National Park, about 60 miles south of here.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Day 15: April 14, 2009
Day 15 - Van Horn, TX to Fort Davis, TX: Hills
Tuesday April 14, 2009, 91 miles (146 km) - Total so far: 1,108 miles (1,783 km)
Weather: Temperatures 51-77, winds southwest at 10-12 mph, partly cloudy to clear skies. Today's ride was long and fairly difficult, but the scenery was outstanding. The time changed to Central Daylight Time just before Van Horn, so everyone got up this morning on the "new" time and it was dark outside. We all finally left Van Horn a little after 8 am. The first 20 miles were along a frontage road along I-10. Then next 17 miles were on the shoulder of I-10. The shoulder was MUCH smoother an easier to ride on, so we destroyed that 17 miles in short order. Then the "fun" began. We exited I-10, and for the next 50 miles we road through some very scenic West Texas brush country into the Davis Mountains. The road was rough, there was a headwind, and it was all up hill. The scenery made it worth the effort, though. There was a long and fairly steep climb up to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. Most of the riders went into the visitor's center there. Larry actually rode all the way up to the dome. Some of the riders had the climbing do them in and climbed in to the van. Fort Davis is a neat little town. It was the site of a US Cavalry fort in the late 1800's. The area around here is open range cow country and is very rocky and hilly. The town itself seems to be a tourist spot. There are several dude ranches around and the Big Bend country is not far.
until later....
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Tuesday April 14, 2009, 91 miles (146 km) - Total so far: 1,108 miles (1,783 km)
Weather: Temperatures 51-77, winds southwest at 10-12 mph, partly cloudy to clear skies. Today's ride was long and fairly difficult, but the scenery was outstanding. The time changed to Central Daylight Time just before Van Horn, so everyone got up this morning on the "new" time and it was dark outside. We all finally left Van Horn a little after 8 am. The first 20 miles were along a frontage road along I-10. Then next 17 miles were on the shoulder of I-10. The shoulder was MUCH smoother an easier to ride on, so we destroyed that 17 miles in short order. Then the "fun" began. We exited I-10, and for the next 50 miles we road through some very scenic West Texas brush country into the Davis Mountains. The road was rough, there was a headwind, and it was all up hill. The scenery made it worth the effort, though. There was a long and fairly steep climb up to the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. Most of the riders went into the visitor's center there. Larry actually rode all the way up to the dome. Some of the riders had the climbing do them in and climbed in to the van. Fort Davis is a neat little town. It was the site of a US Cavalry fort in the late 1800's. The area around here is open range cow country and is very rocky and hilly. The town itself seems to be a tourist spot. There are several dude ranches around and the Big Bend country is not far.
until later....
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Monday, April 13, 2009
Day 14: April 13, 2009
Day 14 - Fabens, TX to Van Horn, TX: Third time zone
Monday April 13, 2009, 98 miles (158 km) - Total so far: 1,017 miles (1,637 km)
Weather: Temperature 50- 75, winds light out of the southeast, mostly sunny skies.
Today's ride was long, but not especially hard. We left the motel in Fabens and stopped at Mickey D's for breakfast, where the local townspeople were solving the world's problems around their morning coffee. They wished us well on our journey. Everywhere we go the people are curious about our trip. All the people we meet - from American Indians to local ranchers to waiters and waitresses - are all very friendly and genuinely interested in our trip. The first 40 or so miles today were flat and fast as we rode through large unpopulated stretches of West Texas brush country. There were almost no cars on that stretch. The last 45 or 50 miles were on I-10 or on a frontage road alongside I-10. That part was boring, and the frontage road pavement was rough. In addition we picked up a mild head wind that held our speed down to under 14 mph. It made for a long, tiring day. The best part was a long down hill into Van Horn, albeit on the interstate. Tomorrow may be the toughest day on the whole trip as we ride 90 miles to Fort Davis, including a climb up to the McDonald Observatory!
Until tomorrow...
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Monday April 13, 2009, 98 miles (158 km) - Total so far: 1,017 miles (1,637 km)
Weather: Temperature 50- 75, winds light out of the southeast, mostly sunny skies.
Today's ride was long, but not especially hard. We left the motel in Fabens and stopped at Mickey D's for breakfast, where the local townspeople were solving the world's problems around their morning coffee. They wished us well on our journey. Everywhere we go the people are curious about our trip. All the people we meet - from American Indians to local ranchers to waiters and waitresses - are all very friendly and genuinely interested in our trip. The first 40 or so miles today were flat and fast as we rode through large unpopulated stretches of West Texas brush country. There were almost no cars on that stretch. The last 45 or 50 miles were on I-10 or on a frontage road alongside I-10. That part was boring, and the frontage road pavement was rough. In addition we picked up a mild head wind that held our speed down to under 14 mph. It made for a long, tiring day. The best part was a long down hill into Van Horn, albeit on the interstate. Tomorrow may be the toughest day on the whole trip as we ride 90 miles to Fort Davis, including a climb up to the McDonald Observatory!
Until tomorrow...
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Day 13: April 12, 2009
Day 13 - Las Cruces, NM to Fabens, TX: The fourth state
Sunday April 12, 2009, 77 miles (124 km) - Total so far: 919 miles (1,479 km)
Weather: Temperatures 41-62, partly cloudy skies, winds westerly at 25-38 mph.
HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE and thanks for the comments.
I actually am posting early Monday morning for Sunday's blog - it was my day to drive the van on Sunday. It was very nice. I was actually able to call home and talk to family on Easter. Kim, Jeremy and all are well. Also was able to talk to my sister, Jan (Mrs. Yaw) and was glad to hear everyone is doing good and the kids are keeping track so well of the journey. Flat Stanley and Share Bear are having fun - the Easter bunny even found them but Share Bear did hate he missed the K4 Easter egg hunt - he said he always enjoys that! After Monday's ride I'll be able to update and hopefully have much more details and a few pictures.
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Sunday April 12, 2009, 77 miles (124 km) - Total so far: 919 miles (1,479 km)
Weather: Temperatures 41-62, partly cloudy skies, winds westerly at 25-38 mph.
HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE and thanks for the comments.
I actually am posting early Monday morning for Sunday's blog - it was my day to drive the van on Sunday. It was very nice. I was actually able to call home and talk to family on Easter. Kim, Jeremy and all are well. Also was able to talk to my sister, Jan (Mrs. Yaw) and was glad to hear everyone is doing good and the kids are keeping track so well of the journey. Flat Stanley and Share Bear are having fun - the Easter bunny even found them but Share Bear did hate he missed the K4 Easter egg hunt - he said he always enjoys that! After Monday's ride I'll be able to update and hopefully have much more details and a few pictures.
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Day 12: April 11, 2009
Day 12 - Kingston, NM to Las Cruces, NM: Down the mountain
Saturday April 11, 2009, 89 miles (143 km) - Total so far: 842 miles (1,355 km)
Weather: Partly cloudy, windy, winds from the west at 15-25 mph and gusty, temperatures 44-62.
Black Range Lodge had a HUGE breakfast this morning - omelets, home fries, lots of fresh onions, peppers and cilantro, fresh fruit, waffles, homemade bread, and great cowboy coffee. What a great place. Nobody wanted to leave. From the Lodge, we coasted 9 miles down hill to the neat little town of Hillsboro. It had the last scheduled stage coach service in the US. After Hillsboro, we had a wild down hill ride with a 25 mph tail wind, all the way to Lake Caballo on the Rio Grande River. We were averaging over 30 mph for a 10-mile stretch. The rest of the day was mostly flat, with a cross-wind, as we turned south, following the Rio Grande all the way to Las Cruces. About , 20 miles from Las Cruces, we passed a rodeo going on in an arena next to the river. Several of us stopped and watched for awhile, amazed at the skill of the calf-ropers. Las Cruces, our stopover for the night, is the second largest city in New Mexico with a population of about 75,000. Tomorrow we enter Texas, our 4th state.
Part of the Rio Grande
Open Range
Our group!
Have a great Easter!
Barry, Flat Stanley and Share Bear
Saturday April 11, 2009, 89 miles (143 km) - Total so far: 842 miles (1,355 km)
Weather: Partly cloudy, windy, winds from the west at 15-25 mph and gusty, temperatures 44-62.
Black Range Lodge had a HUGE breakfast this morning - omelets, home fries, lots of fresh onions, peppers and cilantro, fresh fruit, waffles, homemade bread, and great cowboy coffee. What a great place. Nobody wanted to leave. From the Lodge, we coasted 9 miles down hill to the neat little town of Hillsboro. It had the last scheduled stage coach service in the US. After Hillsboro, we had a wild down hill ride with a 25 mph tail wind, all the way to Lake Caballo on the Rio Grande River. We were averaging over 30 mph for a 10-mile stretch. The rest of the day was mostly flat, with a cross-wind, as we turned south, following the Rio Grande all the way to Las Cruces. About , 20 miles from Las Cruces, we passed a rodeo going on in an arena next to the river. Several of us stopped and watched for awhile, amazed at the skill of the calf-ropers. Las Cruces, our stopover for the night, is the second largest city in New Mexico with a population of about 75,000. Tomorrow we enter Texas, our 4th state.
Part of the Rio Grande
Open Range
Our group!
Have a great Easter!
Barry, Flat Stanley and Share Bear
Friday, April 10, 2009
Day 11: April 10, 2009
Day 11 - Silver City, NM to Kingston, NM: Highest point
Friday April 10, 2009, 47 miles (76 km) - Total so far: 753 miles (1,212 km)
Weather: Temperatures 39-62, winds light and variable from the west, sunny to partly cloudy skies.
We started in a chill, but warmed quickly as we rode up out of Silver City. We passed the Santa Rita Ccpper mine as we climbed most of the morning. Along the way we passed a lot of people walking down the road. They said they were walking for Good Friday as a sort of yearly pilgrimage between villages. After passing the small town of San Lorenzo, the route entered the Gila National forest. The higher we climbed the more breathtaking the scenery became. We encountered heavy pine forests, mountain streams, and canyons. It was a strenuous climb to the top of Emory Pass in the Black Range Mountains. At 8200 feet, this was the highest point on the entire route. It is all down hill from here!!!! Tonight's lodging is in the very unique Black Range Lodge B&B. It is an old ranch house dating back to the late 1800's in Kingston, NM. At one time Kingston was the largest city in New Mexico at over 7000 residents. Today, Kingston has one street -a dead end - and 24 residents. There are a handful of old buildings left, but most of the town is gone. In it's heyday, Kingston was a center for the silver industry. Now the mines are dried up and the US dollar no longer relies on silver. But this place is still neat. Since there are no restaurants for miles around, the owners are fixing us a home made turkey dinner for supper.
Friday April 10, 2009, 47 miles (76 km) - Total so far: 753 miles (1,212 km)
Weather: Temperatures 39-62, winds light and variable from the west, sunny to partly cloudy skies.
We started in a chill, but warmed quickly as we rode up out of Silver City. We passed the Santa Rita Ccpper mine as we climbed most of the morning. Along the way we passed a lot of people walking down the road. They said they were walking for Good Friday as a sort of yearly pilgrimage between villages. After passing the small town of San Lorenzo, the route entered the Gila National forest. The higher we climbed the more breathtaking the scenery became. We encountered heavy pine forests, mountain streams, and canyons. It was a strenuous climb to the top of Emory Pass in the Black Range Mountains. At 8200 feet, this was the highest point on the entire route. It is all down hill from here!!!! Tonight's lodging is in the very unique Black Range Lodge B&B. It is an old ranch house dating back to the late 1800's in Kingston, NM. At one time Kingston was the largest city in New Mexico at over 7000 residents. Today, Kingston has one street -a dead end - and 24 residents. There are a handful of old buildings left, but most of the town is gone. In it's heyday, Kingston was a center for the silver industry. Now the mines are dried up and the US dollar no longer relies on silver. But this place is still neat. Since there are no restaurants for miles around, the owners are fixing us a home made turkey dinner for supper.
Until Later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Day 10: April 9, 2009
Day 10 - Lordsburg, NM to Silver City, NM: Continental Divide
Thursday April 9, 2009, 47 miles (76 km) - Total so far: 706 miles (1,136 km)
Weather: Sunny skies, temperatures 44-60, winds west at 15 mph.
Started in a slight chill in Lordsburg, at almost 5000 feet, and immediately did a slow climb followed by a steeper climb to the Continental Divide at over 6000 feet. It was even chillier up there. Afterwards, we enjoyed a looooong downhill run before making a steep climb back up to 6000 feet as we passed the Tyrone copper mine. The area around Silver City is known for two things: copper mining and as the home town of Billy the Kid. Larry and I made a tour of the town of Silver City before going to the motel. It is a neat town and looks more prosperous than most of the ones we have been through so far. That may be because of the price of copper, plus the fact that Silver City is also a college town, home to Western New Mexico University. I toured the town's museum and found that they have been hit by several devastating floods over the years. The floods have caused a massive ditch to be cut right through town, and so they have erected a nice city park around it called, appropriately, Big Ditch Park. Tonight's lodging is in a nice Comfort Inn which had a very nice hot tub that most of the bikers took advantage of. Tomorrow is the "big climb". Stay tuned!
Until later....
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Day 9: April 8, 2009
Day 9 - Safford, AZ to Lorsdburg, NM: Land of Enchantment
Wednesday April 8, 2009, 79 miles (127 km) - Total so far: 659 miles (1,061 km)
Weather: Partly cloudy skies, winds southwesterly at 17 gusting to 35 mph.
We entered out third state, today.
Today's ride was very enjoyable. As we left Safford, the scenery got more and more spectacular. We did a gradual climb toward the New Mexico border, stopping at Duncan, AZ for a rest and a bite to eat. The roads were smooth and traffic almost non-existent, plus we had a quartering tailwind. Besides the town of Duncan, AZ, a few miles from the New Mexico border, there was nothing today but wide open spaces. I had the song "Don't Fence Me In" in my head all day. There were no fences, no houses, no nothing.
The town of Lorsdburg is like many we have seen out west - one time prosperous for one reason or another,, and now falling on hard times.
So far on the trip, we have had 8 flats, one broken chain, have seen 2 dead coyotes, one snake, and a bunch of road runners.
I want to take this moment to thank Eagles' Wings and U-Save Auto of Tuscaloosa, AL, for providing the van for our trip. Special thanks to Mike Dunn and Danny Butler for donating the van. The riders have all contributed $1000 to Eagles' Wings for the use of the U-Save Auto van. Thanks guys, from everybody on the ride!!!!!!
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Day 8: April 7, 2009
Globe, AZ to Safford, AZ: Apache country
Tuesday April 7, 2009, 76 miles (122 km) - Total so far: 580 miles (933 km)
Weather: Sunny skies, temperatures 57-77, winds east at 15, changing to SW light and variable.
We left Globe to a headwind and a couple of long climbs. The terrain started to change from the last few days as we saw more vegetation and more trees. We were riding in the Gila River valley. Water from the river is used to irrigate cotton fields around the town of Pima, AZ, noted for the famous soft Pima cotton. The mountains are the highest we have seen so far. Mt Graham near Safford is over 12,000 and still has lots of snow on the top.
About 10 miles out of Globe, we entered the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
In the middle of the route we rode through the town of Geronimo, an appropriate name. At one rest stop, a local Apache came up to speak to us. He said he was a professional horse tamer and a steer wrestler in the rodeo, and had a ranch in the area.
At another rest stop, a west-bound cyclist stopped for a few minutes. His name was Garrett, a recent college grad, who was riding solo from St Augustine to his home in San Diego. He was on day 34 of his trip. In the town of Pima, we visited with Vern's cousin, a retired rancher from Arizona, and his wife. We spent some time in their living room listening to stories about the old days on the ranch. They were extraordinary people.
Overall it was a tough ride, until the winds shifted to the southwest. The scenery remains spectacular. One can understand the lure of the American West when you cycle through it. The world looks much larger out here! We are also learning that the people here are pretty much like Americans everywhere.
Answers to a few more questions:
1. Do you think you will make this an annual event? Probably not this one, but there is one may across Scotland and Ireland that would be nice. (The wives are included)
2. How long did you train before leaving? I've been riding for a number of years, I rode 10,200 miles in 2008 and started seriously training in Nov. 2008.
3. Have you ever had an injury from riding a bike? I've had a few falls but only one time taken to hospital to have stitches in my arm.
4. Did you kill the snake you saw yesterday? No, we do not kill snakes, a car must have run over the rattlesnake.
5. Is the food good? The food has been very good, we've eaten a lot of Mexican but tonight we're eating all (Buffet Chinese)
6. Have you seen any big animals? Coyote, Road Runners, cows, horses and a buffalo.
7. Did you pick out your favorite bible verse because it is about Eagles
and Wings which you like or did it just happen like that? Isaiah 40:31 is very appropriate for this journey.
8. Did ya'll go to church on Sunday? Not yet, we don't have a day off until May 10th.
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Tuesday April 7, 2009, 76 miles (122 km) - Total so far: 580 miles (933 km)
Weather: Sunny skies, temperatures 57-77, winds east at 15, changing to SW light and variable.
We left Globe to a headwind and a couple of long climbs. The terrain started to change from the last few days as we saw more vegetation and more trees. We were riding in the Gila River valley. Water from the river is used to irrigate cotton fields around the town of Pima, AZ, noted for the famous soft Pima cotton. The mountains are the highest we have seen so far. Mt Graham near Safford is over 12,000 and still has lots of snow on the top.
About 10 miles out of Globe, we entered the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
In the middle of the route we rode through the town of Geronimo, an appropriate name. At one rest stop, a local Apache came up to speak to us. He said he was a professional horse tamer and a steer wrestler in the rodeo, and had a ranch in the area.
At another rest stop, a west-bound cyclist stopped for a few minutes. His name was Garrett, a recent college grad, who was riding solo from St Augustine to his home in San Diego. He was on day 34 of his trip. In the town of Pima, we visited with Vern's cousin, a retired rancher from Arizona, and his wife. We spent some time in their living room listening to stories about the old days on the ranch. They were extraordinary people.
Overall it was a tough ride, until the winds shifted to the southwest. The scenery remains spectacular. One can understand the lure of the American West when you cycle through it. The world looks much larger out here! We are also learning that the people here are pretty much like Americans everywhere.
Answers to a few more questions:
1. Do you think you will make this an annual event? Probably not this one, but there is one may across Scotland and Ireland that would be nice. (The wives are included)
2. How long did you train before leaving? I've been riding for a number of years, I rode 10,200 miles in 2008 and started seriously training in Nov. 2008.
3. Have you ever had an injury from riding a bike? I've had a few falls but only one time taken to hospital to have stitches in my arm.
4. Did you kill the snake you saw yesterday? No, we do not kill snakes, a car must have run over the rattlesnake.
5. Is the food good? The food has been very good, we've eaten a lot of Mexican but tonight we're eating all (Buffet Chinese)
6. Have you seen any big animals? Coyote, Road Runners, cows, horses and a buffalo.
7. Did you pick out your favorite bible verse because it is about Eagles
and Wings which you like or did it just happen like that? Isaiah 40:31 is very appropriate for this journey.
8. Did ya'll go to church on Sunday? Not yet, we don't have a day off until May 10th.
Until later...
Uncle Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Monday, April 6, 2009
Day 7: April 6, 2009
Day 7 - Apache Junction, AZ to Globe, AZ: Headwinds and hills and trucks!
Monday April 6, 2009, 56 miles (90 km) - Total so far: 504 miles (811 km)
Weather: Sunny skies, temperature 62-72, winds east at 15-35 mph. This was one of the hardest bike rides I have ever done. The whole day was one long climb, from 1500 feet at Apache Junction to almost 5000 feet at Signal Mountain pass. The climbing was steep, but the worst part was the relentless head wind. Additionally, Globe is a major mining area and there was lots of truck traffic between Globe and the Phoenix area. Probably the worst part of the ride was going through the quarter-mile long Queen Creek tunnel. There was no shoulder and the noise from the big trucks was almost unbearable. The entire ride today was on US Highway 60. Despite the difficulties - the terrain remained scenic. We rode through some beautiful mountain passes and went through some interesting old mining towns that have since fallen on hard times. Staying tonight in a brand new Days Inn in Globe. Below is a picture of an old mining town and hotel - we come across a lot of these small towns. Also below is a picture of a unhappy camper we passed along the road today. Yep! I think we made him mad!
Monday April 6, 2009, 56 miles (90 km) - Total so far: 504 miles (811 km)
Weather: Sunny skies, temperature 62-72, winds east at 15-35 mph. This was one of the hardest bike rides I have ever done. The whole day was one long climb, from 1500 feet at Apache Junction to almost 5000 feet at Signal Mountain pass. The climbing was steep, but the worst part was the relentless head wind. Additionally, Globe is a major mining area and there was lots of truck traffic between Globe and the Phoenix area. Probably the worst part of the ride was going through the quarter-mile long Queen Creek tunnel. There was no shoulder and the noise from the big trucks was almost unbearable. The entire ride today was on US Highway 60. Despite the difficulties - the terrain remained scenic. We rode through some beautiful mountain passes and went through some interesting old mining towns that have since fallen on hard times. Staying tonight in a brand new Days Inn in Globe. Below is a picture of an old mining town and hotel - we come across a lot of these small towns. Also below is a picture of a unhappy camper we passed along the road today. Yep! I think we made him mad!
Day 6: April 5, 2009
Sunday April 5, 2009, 68 miles (109 km) - Total so far: 448 miles (721 km)
Weather: 57-76, winds 10-12mph out of the east, clear skies.
It was a perfect day for riding, weather-wise. Despite the relatively short distance today, the ride was tiring because we rode directly into a headwind all day long. Today's ride started in the suburbs of Phoenix, went across he city, and ended in the suburbs of Phoenix. The streets in Phoenix are all very wide and all have either a bike lane or a wide shoulder. It is a great place to ride if you have to ride in a city. The problem is that there is no shade - anywhere. The only trees you see are small ornamental in peoples' yards and the occasional saguaro cactus, which is sort of a tree I guess. The neighborhoods are all very pretty, especially with all the red tile roofs. The best art of the ride was riding for about 15 miles on the Arizona Canal Bike Path. It is paved bike path right through the middle of the city which follows one of the major canals.
Weather: 57-76, winds 10-12mph out of the east, clear skies.
It was a perfect day for riding, weather-wise. Despite the relatively short distance today, the ride was tiring because we rode directly into a headwind all day long. Today's ride started in the suburbs of Phoenix, went across he city, and ended in the suburbs of Phoenix. The streets in Phoenix are all very wide and all have either a bike lane or a wide shoulder. It is a great place to ride if you have to ride in a city. The problem is that there is no shade - anywhere. The only trees you see are small ornamental in peoples' yards and the occasional saguaro cactus, which is sort of a tree I guess. The neighborhoods are all very pretty, especially with all the red tile roofs. The best art of the ride was riding for about 15 miles on the Arizona Canal Bike Path. It is paved bike path right through the middle of the city which follows one of the major canals.
Riding by the canal.
Beautiful scenery.
until later...
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Day 5: April 4, 2009
Salome, AZ to Sun City, AZ:
Saturday April 4, 2009, 91 miles (146 km) - Total so far: 380 miles (612 km)
Weather: Temperature started at 47 and never got over 64. Winds were NW at 10-15 mph and skies were clear. The ride today was long, but we had a tailwind the last 50 miles making for a nice ride. The ride wasn't as scenic as yesterday, but the Arizona countryside is very pretty. You can always see mountains in the distance, and the desert flowers are blooming everywhere. We rode for 35 miles up a gradual incline of about 1100 feet. Then we rode gradually down for over 50 miles. At Wickenburg, the route turned south and the wind was pushing us pretty good. All day long was riding on US 60, but traffic was light and the shoulder was real wide. Nice ride! The highlight of the ride today was eating breakfast and lunch at a couple of old-timey roadside cafes. Breakfast was in a diner in Winden, AZ, and lunch was in an old-fashioned drive-in burger and shake joint, a la "Happy Days", in Wickenburg. The food was good, plentiful, and cheap.
until later...
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Saturday April 4, 2009, 91 miles (146 km) - Total so far: 380 miles (612 km)
Weather: Temperature started at 47 and never got over 64. Winds were NW at 10-15 mph and skies were clear. The ride today was long, but we had a tailwind the last 50 miles making for a nice ride. The ride wasn't as scenic as yesterday, but the Arizona countryside is very pretty. You can always see mountains in the distance, and the desert flowers are blooming everywhere. We rode for 35 miles up a gradual incline of about 1100 feet. Then we rode gradually down for over 50 miles. At Wickenburg, the route turned south and the wind was pushing us pretty good. All day long was riding on US 60, but traffic was light and the shoulder was real wide. Nice ride! The highlight of the ride today was eating breakfast and lunch at a couple of old-timey roadside cafes. Breakfast was in a diner in Winden, AZ, and lunch was in an old-fashioned drive-in burger and shake joint, a la "Happy Days", in Wickenburg. The food was good, plentiful, and cheap.
until later...
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
Day 4: April 3, 2009
Friday April 3, 2009, 61 miles (98 km) - Total so far: 289 miles (465 km)
Started off the morning by entering into Arizona over a pedestrian foot bridge across the Colorado River. It is a very pretty river around that area. The ride today was much more scenic than yesterday. The Arizona mountains are visible in all directions. The worst part of the day was having to ride 24 miles down I-10, which is allowed in Arizona. But the shoulder was wide and smooth and the mountains all around made for a nice ride, anyway. After getting off the interstate, we turned in a northeasterly direction and had a strong tailwind pushing us all the way to Salome. It was fun to ride 25 mph without pedaling! Salome is an interesting place out in the middle of nowhere. It was founded in 1907 for no reason I could discover. The "town" consists of an old, 1950's-vintage motel, a Mexican restaurant, and a few small businesses. But the people here are extremely friendly. They see a lot of bike riders coming through.I want to thank everybody for all the wonderful comments.
Q&A
1. How did you get up the mountain on your bike? We have 27gears on our bicycles,going the steep mountains, we go to our lowest gear. (I will show you when I get back) We get really tired
2. Was if fast going down the mountain? The winds going down the mountain was real dangerous , we had to be really careful. Had to use our brakes most of the time. The fastest I went was 41mph.
3. Where do you eat? We find cafes along the way, eat big at night, drink lots of Gatorade!
2. Was if fast going down the mountain? The winds going down the mountain was real dangerous , we had to be really careful. Had to use our brakes most of the time. The fastest I went was 41mph.
3. Where do you eat? We find cafes along the way, eat big at night, drink lots of Gatorade!
4. How are you doing? Feel good so far.
5. How far can you go before your leg hurts? Depends on the terrain, most of the time I can go about 80 miles before I start getting leg weary.
6. How many tires have you used yet? Same tires I started with.
7. Do you put your whole bike in the ocean? Just the rubber part of the tire.
8. Why are the tires so skinny? They go much faster than big tires
9. Where do you keep Flat Stanley? In my travel bag and in my jersey pocket.
10. Was the mountain steeper than you expected? No but the downhill side was worse than I had anticipated because of the crosswinds
11. How much water do you drink? 2- 20 ounce bottles of Gatorade get water any where we can
12. Have you seen a lot of bad weather? Great so far 35 degrees to 90 degrees
13. How many hours does it take you to travel each day? Average 7 to 8 hours
14. How many miles can you put on a tire? Hopefully 1000 to 1500 miles - we change tubes more often
15. Does Mrs. Yaw and her other brothers ride bikes like you do? I'm the only one that exercises
16. Does your wife and little boy ride a bike too? My wife rides some in the summer, she also, is a teacher at Hillcrest High, my son does not ride.
5. How far can you go before your leg hurts? Depends on the terrain, most of the time I can go about 80 miles before I start getting leg weary.
6. How many tires have you used yet? Same tires I started with.
7. Do you put your whole bike in the ocean? Just the rubber part of the tire.
8. Why are the tires so skinny? They go much faster than big tires
9. Where do you keep Flat Stanley? In my travel bag and in my jersey pocket.
10. Was the mountain steeper than you expected? No but the downhill side was worse than I had anticipated because of the crosswinds
11. How much water do you drink? 2- 20 ounce bottles of Gatorade get water any where we can
12. Have you seen a lot of bad weather? Great so far 35 degrees to 90 degrees
13. How many hours does it take you to travel each day? Average 7 to 8 hours
14. How many miles can you put on a tire? Hopefully 1000 to 1500 miles - we change tubes more often
15. Does Mrs. Yaw and her other brothers ride bikes like you do? I'm the only one that exercises
16. Does your wife and little boy ride a bike too? My wife rides some in the summer, she also, is a teacher at Hillcrest High, my son does not ride.
17. How long will it take you to get home when you get to the last ocean? We get to the Atlantic Ocean around 4:00p.m. on May 9. Afterwards we will drive to Atlanta then on to Tuscaloosa. We should arrive in Tuscaloosa at about 2:00 to 3:00 a.m. on May 10.
18. Are you homesick? I talk to my family almost everyday, I miss them but not homesick yet.
We're headed to Phoenix, Az.
Goodbye from:
Share Bear, Flat Stanley& Uncle Barry
Hi to Brylan, Kyler, and all the other ACA kids!!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Day 3: April 2, 2009
From Flat Stanley, Share Bear, and Uncle Barry - we say hi from
Blythe, CA.
Day 3 - Brawley, CA to Blythe, CA:
Thursday April 2, 2009, 91 miles (146 km) - Total so far: 228 miles (367 km)
It was a windy day as we rode across the southern California desert. For 40 miles, as the route climbed slowly up the Chocolate Mountains, there was a quartering head-wind. The last 50 miles there was a 30-mph tailwind. Everyone was riding 25-30 mph with little effort thanks to the strong wind combined with a slight downhill run into the Colorado River basin at Blythe. Around the halfway point, in Glamis, CA, we passed an area of sand dunes that was apparently a favorite playground for the group of dune buggies riders in the area as we passed by. There were dozens of buggies riding in the area = dust! Some of the desert scenery is spectacular. There is an amazing variety of flowering plants in the desert in the spring. Can you believe we have traveled over 200 miles so far, the temperatures have ranged from degrees in Pine Valley to today in Blythe, Ca. of 90 Degrees. I have to say though that yesterday when we went through the Yuha Desert, the Imperial Desert those were steepest mountains on the trip. Today as we traveled through sand dunes those really strong winds blew sand in our faces, but through the foothills of the Chocolate Mountains was the neatest part of the day. Tomorrow we go over the Arizona River and into Arizona.
Here are a few pictures from today:
Blythe, CA.
Day 3 - Brawley, CA to Blythe, CA:
Thursday April 2, 2009, 91 miles (146 km) - Total so far: 228 miles (367 km)
It was a windy day as we rode across the southern California desert. For 40 miles, as the route climbed slowly up the Chocolate Mountains, there was a quartering head-wind. The last 50 miles there was a 30-mph tailwind. Everyone was riding 25-30 mph with little effort thanks to the strong wind combined with a slight downhill run into the Colorado River basin at Blythe. Around the halfway point, in Glamis, CA, we passed an area of sand dunes that was apparently a favorite playground for the group of dune buggies riders in the area as we passed by. There were dozens of buggies riding in the area = dust! Some of the desert scenery is spectacular. There is an amazing variety of flowering plants in the desert in the spring. Can you believe we have traveled over 200 miles so far, the temperatures have ranged from degrees in Pine Valley to today in Blythe, Ca. of 90 Degrees. I have to say though that yesterday when we went through the Yuha Desert, the Imperial Desert those were steepest mountains on the trip. Today as we traveled through sand dunes those really strong winds blew sand in our faces, but through the foothills of the Chocolate Mountains was the neatest part of the day. Tomorrow we go over the Arizona River and into Arizona.
Here are a few pictures from today:
For now,
Uncle Barry Bikes
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Day 2: April 1, 2009
First off - let me back track one day because we were so tired last night it's actually early morning before we felt like updating.
On March 31, 2009 we started Day 1 - The First Big Climb!!!: San Diego, CA to Pine Valley, CA
We went 51 miles (82 km) - Total so far: 51 miles (82 km)
Temps 56-68, clear skies and NW wind at 10-15. Perfect day for a bike ride! The great adventure started today with one of the hardest days of the trip. Although only 51 miles, we climbed over 5000 feet, most of it coming in the last 25 miles. Six of the riders - Neil, Curt, Anna, Will, Vern, and Tom - went to the beach to dip their wheels in the ocean and take the obligatory pictures. Those of us who already did that a day earlier left from the motel. I rode with Bobby and Larry. We enjoyed a good ride, got lost several times, and had a nice lunch at a sidewalk cafe in Alpine, CA. After about 5 miles of riding this morning, we started climbing and we climbed all day. The further east we went, the steeper the climbs became. Eventually we even rode 3 miles on I-8 in one of the steepest sections. The higher we climbed in the mountains, the more spectacular the scenery became. The final destination was the small community of Pine Valley, CA. All the riders made it safely in. There were no flat tires, no incidents, and only a half dozen wrong turns! The lone motel in town is very nice, but all the restaurants were closed on Tuesday night. We managed to get some food at a local sports grill. All told, we are off to a great start!!!!
Barry and Bobby Rone at Dog Park dipping their bikes into the Pacific Ocean.
Let's start to climb!
This is some one's backyard pet.
Hey kids - what do you think people name their pets in California?
Desert flora - very pretty and all over the place.
Entering the desert - on Day 2.
So that brings us up to today - April 1, 2009. We just finished our bike ride for the day.
Pine Valley to Brawley: A day of contrasts
86 miles (138 km) - Total so far: 137 miles (220 km)
Temperatures started out at 36 degrees in the morning, by the time we finished we were near 90. Hey are we back in Alabama??? The sky was clear and the winds were light mostly. We all had a decent breakfast at the ONLY place to get breakfast in Pine Valley - hey Flat Stanley is beginning to look a little thin with no restaurants in this town - hope the eggs he ate helps him a bit! Most of us were on the road by 8:30. We started out climbing and descending and climbing again before descending near the Mexican border at Jacumba, CA. After Jacumba, we entered I-8 for a hairy downhill ride straight into the desert. Once at the "bottom" we rode through the desert to Brawley, CA, in the Imperial Valley one of the great agricultural areas of the US. The whole area is in the desert, but all the fields are irrigated from extensive network of aqueduct's and canals.
Again - all it all it's been a great day.
Well until later....
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
On March 31, 2009 we started Day 1 - The First Big Climb!!!: San Diego, CA to Pine Valley, CA
We went 51 miles (82 km) - Total so far: 51 miles (82 km)
Temps 56-68, clear skies and NW wind at 10-15. Perfect day for a bike ride! The great adventure started today with one of the hardest days of the trip. Although only 51 miles, we climbed over 5000 feet, most of it coming in the last 25 miles. Six of the riders - Neil, Curt, Anna, Will, Vern, and Tom - went to the beach to dip their wheels in the ocean and take the obligatory pictures. Those of us who already did that a day earlier left from the motel. I rode with Bobby and Larry. We enjoyed a good ride, got lost several times, and had a nice lunch at a sidewalk cafe in Alpine, CA. After about 5 miles of riding this morning, we started climbing and we climbed all day. The further east we went, the steeper the climbs became. Eventually we even rode 3 miles on I-8 in one of the steepest sections. The higher we climbed in the mountains, the more spectacular the scenery became. The final destination was the small community of Pine Valley, CA. All the riders made it safely in. There were no flat tires, no incidents, and only a half dozen wrong turns! The lone motel in town is very nice, but all the restaurants were closed on Tuesday night. We managed to get some food at a local sports grill. All told, we are off to a great start!!!!
Barry and Bobby Rone at Dog Park dipping their bikes into the Pacific Ocean.
Let's start to climb!
This is some one's backyard pet.
Hey kids - what do you think people name their pets in California?
Desert flora - very pretty and all over the place.
Entering the desert - on Day 2.
So that brings us up to today - April 1, 2009. We just finished our bike ride for the day.
Pine Valley to Brawley: A day of contrasts
86 miles (138 km) - Total so far: 137 miles (220 km)
Temperatures started out at 36 degrees in the morning, by the time we finished we were near 90. Hey are we back in Alabama??? The sky was clear and the winds were light mostly. We all had a decent breakfast at the ONLY place to get breakfast in Pine Valley - hey Flat Stanley is beginning to look a little thin with no restaurants in this town - hope the eggs he ate helps him a bit! Most of us were on the road by 8:30. We started out climbing and descending and climbing again before descending near the Mexican border at Jacumba, CA. After Jacumba, we entered I-8 for a hairy downhill ride straight into the desert. Once at the "bottom" we rode through the desert to Brawley, CA, in the Imperial Valley one of the great agricultural areas of the US. The whole area is in the desert, but all the fields are irrigated from extensive network of aqueduct's and canals.
Again - all it all it's been a great day.
Well until later....
Barry, Flat Stanley, and Share Bear
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