Dateline: Dallas, June 26th
My April trip to BBNP was finally launched on Tuesday morning June 26th. Rain, oh yes, but I'm not delaying this trip another day, and according to radar it clears west of Ft. Worth. So I'm loaded and in my rain gear and off to BBNP. Sure enough I break out of the rain west of Ft Worth (I love technology).
My first stop was around 10:00 at Dublin, Tx. After all 10 2 and 4 are Dr. Pepper breaks. (Dublin is the last bottler that still makes DPs with cane syrup)
An 8 ounce Dr. Pepper looks like a shot after drinking 20 ounce drinks for so long.
Next break would be at a city park in San Angelo, Texas for my favorite road meal. I started eating this junk way back and still love it.
I spent the night in Ozona, Tx and the rain caught up with me, but the motorcycle gods were with me this trip and it stopped raining just as I woke up on Wednesday morning. As I headed out something dawned on me. I hadn't seen another motorcycle on the road this trip. So I was really watching and it was just outside of Sanderson that I saw two bikes pass. 510 miles I had traveled without seeing another bike. A personal record. Maybe I missed the news announcement that this was "Don't ride your bike week!"
I stopped in Marathon to see the "Burnt Biscuit" cafe. and believe it or not the food looked great. Remember this is a review from the guy that eats (see above) this stuff on the road.
http://www.geocities.com/shirleysburntbiscuit/
I've been going to Big Bend since 1975 for day hiking, but I have never backpacked and spent the night out with the critters. This was going to be the time.
I checked into the Chisos Mountain Lodge, had a great dinner and then watched the sun set.
The next morning I loaded up my pack and tent and started my ascent to the Southern rim. 5300 feet start up to 7400 feet elevation and 6 miles one way.
I reached my destination at around 1:00 pm on Thursday. Set up my tent in the woods and then went over to the mountain's edge and sat to take in the afternoon activity of thunderstorms. One formed right next to the mountain that I was on and then dispersed, then another sprang up across the valley.
Just as the sun was going down a black bear walked out of the tree line. Gulp.
I picked up a rock and prepared to do my Sasquatch imitation when he turned and went back into the woods right toward my campsite. I gathered my things and went to my tent to see if I was going to have a visitor.
Do you know how dark it gets in the woods at night? Some deer were milling around the area so I kept hearing them, and I would jump up with rock in hand, but no bear. To say I got a good nights sleep would be a stretch.
Friday morning came and I was up with the birds. Packed up and hiked back to civilization. I'm ready for my merit badge.
I cleaned up and rode down to the Rio Grande river to see if the water level was up and it was. They said it was 3 feet deep.
By the way, if you take a spill on your bike down here, this guy is a member of the first response team.
I then rode over to Terlingua to the Starlight Theater for dinner.
I sat out front and had a beer with an interesting fellow (Ralph) that owns a motorcycle repair shop there. Turns out he is a Ducati man from way back. Still rides an 800 SS that he has highly modified. He used to race Ducatis and Guzzis back in the 80s with Jeff Nash. He told me that he has more business than he can handle down there. Mostly Harley repair (I'm not bashing Harley) because that is the most popular bike ridden down to the park.
I saw this guy just outside of town. If animals could talk I'm sure he would be saying "I can't believe its nearly July!"
Saturday I loaded up and went out 170 to Presidio, Texas. A beautiful road
to ride (Highway 170).
It was early in the morning and I saw two really big snakes crossing the road. Really shiny snakes of some kind.
I rode hard all day to Brownwood (582 miles) to spend Saturday night. Sunday morning I jumped on 67 all the way home.
So here is my review of my equipment: First trip using long sleave wicking under shirt. Thumbs up. Noticably cooler than without.
My beaded seat cover makes a big difference on keeping the bottom cool.
My bike: Two big thumbs up. Just purrs along all day long and feels wonderful. I am so so happy with this bike! 2006 ST3s
Sidestand sucks. Parked in the shade at a restaurant and sure enough just as I was paying to leave the bike tipped over and landed with a thud. Good news is that it just put a small scratch in the mirror paint and the bar end.
Backpacking gear: Trekking poles are a wonderful invention. Made the hike much easier on the knees.
Hiking books recommend 1 gallon of water per day. I toted 9 quarts to be safe. (Heavy). I returned with 5 unopened bottles.
I'm really hooked. When I arrived at home I told my wife that if had my way, I would wash my clothes and head out on another trip in the morning. She said "Snap out of it, you're home and you don't have it your way."
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