Monthly Archives: February 2012

Feb 13 2012

12-02-10 Friday 47 days 1,545 miles – What a day Rain, Wind, and then the Gulf and camping on the beach

the Stealth camp was good one - and it rained most of the night and in the morning while I packed up the wet Tent and tarp.

This morning  was one of those – just get up and do it – It’s only water and you will warm up when you start pedaling.  This is were experience come in, I ‘ve gotten up and going in a lot worse than this and it always got better.

just a mile down the road there is this Subway - and it was really pouring while I had a breakfast sandsandwich and coffee and coffee and coffee.

And it got better right away, at the Subway.

Just to show you it is still me. rain stopped and by Freeport, Tx the sun started peaking out

There in the foreground is lunch.  The day ways picking up fast. very nice and level along here.

crossing the Intercoastal waterway and Brazos River -It is a long way from the Lake House on Possum Kingdom Lake on the Brazos River - A lifetime away.

I wonder what the next lifetime will bring.

Finally Caught a picture of one of the Hawks as I was crossing a bridge - of course it is one of those areas that the enviornmentalist hate to see wildlife thriving - The Dow Chemical Plant water way.

Here is where the Hawk was fishing next to - him and a few dozen others.

Often when I see these plants and factories that employee lots of people who support families and provide all the stuff we use – I wonder why the nature folks are unable to see that their very life style here depends on these places either directly or indirectly. Then again they need something to blame there plight or the plight of others they don’t help on. Someday they will get what they wish – it probably won’t be what they expected thought.

The last bridge to the Gulf Shores.

And there is the Gulf of Mexico - time to turn Left and then left again to head to Houston, Leonard and off to Alaska.

Yea, another Mile stone. Haven’t been here in a long time.

The Sun is out and this has the look of spring - Then again this is Texas in February and you can be fooled

So far today is just like life – somedays start out kinda crappy and we can sit in it or start pedaling – then it can get better.

a nice 39 Miles day with Rain, Headwind now Camping on the beach - windy as heck - and out of hte north east a head wind tomorrow. Feels good tonight.

Well I am on the coast of Texas. Over one tenth of the way. Only 9 more segments to go and each promises to be more interesting.

Feb 13 2012

12-02-08 Wednesday 45 days – The Humidity is 100%

The Trains still honk at me when I wave at them - Cool

So the person at the switch is not asleep.

Waving at all the trucks keeps us both awake on these streaches - Them and me. Still have not run into any truck rudness.

The closer I get the coast – particularly Freeport, I begin to see more trucks hauling stuff into and out of the port.

Stealth camping in this part of the country is easier. Just get past the first line of vegitation and there is usually a clearing under the tree canopy.

put up the green tarp to block the lights from the road picking up reflectors off the gear. from the road at night looks like a blank spot.

Still pretty close to the road – the hard part is finding one of these overgrown section with any fences between the road. Not very likely on main highways those are fenced almost always.

Feb 12 2012

12-02-07 Tuesday 44 days – Everyday is a new adventure with wonderful folks

And the Next Morning Don Koetke from Moncton, NB Canada. His wonderful wife checked me in last night - Don Fixed me a great Breakfast and we talked for hours. Thanks Don and Diane.

I was just about packed up and ready to ride out, Don come over introduces himself and asks what I want for breakfast – I went for the scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato slices, toast and coffee. Great conversationalist, spent most of the morning there.

Don had said to look out for this 600 yr old tree.

It is a big ole tree.

Another one of those History placks.

24 miles into to Columbus in time for mass evening mass at St. Anthony church - the Priest and Decon Benny drove with me over the the RV park for the night.

A very light and easy day – took this picture in the morning – actually came in after dark.

Feb 12 2012

12-02-06 Monday 43 days – BBQ makes Great fuel for Riding a 49mile day

Made it to St. Rose of Lima Church in time for 5 thirty Mass. Fr. Kessler came over to greet me. Another great church and School.

The BBQ made me do it – a really good ride day 49 miles some small hills. The church Secretary had suggested the RV park a little down the road – another great piece of info.

Stayed at the Schulenburg RV park a mile down the road - a really wonderfull place - Good Shower and Laundry.

Checked in late and Diane checked me in and lead me to a great close area. Later she come over to make sure everything was all right – I asked if the Laundry room had soap. She went over to her Motor home and gave me this cool little material impregnated laundry strips.

The train was a long way off.

 

Feb 12 2012

12-02-05 Sunday 42 days – Off the Coast right after church.

Leaving a great rest day and visit with Caleb and Jenn and there children- This is the San Marcos River going through Campus - John and Julie probabley saw this a lot.

 

St. John Church in San Marcos. Made it to church on the way to Luling City. It rained a bit off and on.

Jenn had fixed great meals and the breakfast this morning was great.

The road to Luling was pretty good and the rain was not that bad. Having a really good rain jacket and rain pants for peddling in is big plus.

Great BBQ and folks in Luling - my son-in-Laws Sister Sherri and her friend Gary, put me up for the night out of the wet and cold

Now this was the High light of the day – I ate too much BBQ and would have carried some away if I were not on the trike, or had the wagon.

Wonderful people Gary and Sherri running the Luling BBQ, and spare room for cold wet bicycle old folks. one more time good people doing good stuff. and I watched the SuperBowl on a great TV.

Like I keep saying and experiencing there are great people all over, who go out of there way to do for others. Let me tell you it was raining and cold all night outside. Thanks Gary and Sherri.

 

 

 

Feb 12 2012

12-02-04 Saturday 41 days – A full R&R day with my Niece and her Family

Getting the Girl Scout cookies loaded into the Univ office. very beautiful girls all three of them.

Saturday We went and picked up 100 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies – and Jenn took us to her office and left them there. I seem to remember hearing about a much younger Jenn and her sister opening up girl scouts cookie boxes to try them out when their mother, Louise had them stored at her house.

the two future scientist at Moms office at the South West Texas Univ.

Picnic with Kaya and Kindra - Jenn already went in - a little cool out side.

We had Girl Scout Cookies for our snack.

There Goes Lucas on his bike.

What a wonderful day for me and I hope them.

Feb 12 2012

12-02-03 Friday 40 days- Visit with Niece Jenn and Family in San Marcos

San Marcos was only 20 miles away - John and Julie both graduated from Southwest Texas Univ.

Of course I couldn’t recognize very much of the older sections for all the new building that as gone on and is going on.

My Niece Jenn, who teaches and does research at Southwest Texas Univ. What a great visit, I know her parents are proud of her and I am too. She has a wonderful family and so welcoming to old uncle Mike who she hadn't seen in 10years. Thank you Jenn.

That’s her oldest, Lucas reading.

Caleb the Best Dad, Just ask his kids and Jenn - I did. Also does really good remodeling work on kitchens, cabinets, tile, and floors.

They also planted a winter garden and Kindra was thrilled to bring me green beans to eat right out their garden.

Here are Caleb and Jenn's beautiful children, - Lucas, Kindra and Kaya.and here they are in real mode, great children.