The Texas Times

Albuquerque wasn't what it was cracked up to be and we still had n0t seen a drop of fresh water in weeks. Marcus and I decided to change the route. We would avoid Oklahoma and Arkansas. Instead, we would head down to Texas towards Austin. We simply couldn't take anymore freeway riding and Taco Bells. Our plan worked, Texas had so much more to offer in each little town including architecture and local food.

The bike from the Grassy Knoll.

Dallas was actually one of the least exciting places we visited and so we left soon after we arrived. To save money we headed had to make camp about 20 miles south of the city at Cedar Hill State Park. We got there after dark. The rate was 19 dollars; an outrageous sum for a "primitive campsite". Our site, which we never found, was a 4 mile ride followed by a 1 mile hike into the clearing. This turned in to a 6 + mile excursion after we took a wrong turn. Creeping down the path nearly blind wasn't the bad part at all. Rather, battling huge spiders and their webs across the path for an hour and a half became grating. We were exhausted and set up our tents in a gravel RV lot by 1 am. At 3 am Marcus awoke to a tent full of ants. By 6am we set off towards Central Texas.

Oh and the fun we had in the 100 degree heat, on a chip-top, gravel-ish road, directly into a headwind. 10 hours and 93 miles later, having had no sleep, we called it a day at Lake Whitney State Park. Marcus discovered that his tent was in complete ruin. No longer just partner cyclists we now became room-mates. We allowed ourselves to sleep in to 8am on account that we had only a 60 mile day ahead of us.
The 60 mile day turned to a 86 mile day. But we did get to see Crawford, TX and had a great lunch in Valley Mills. At Mother Neff state park, we were greeted by William and Eddy. They were in the camp next to us. The two were 78 year old twins. They are also dove hunters, confederate "historians" and unabashed racists. Here is a list of things they hate: blacks, Catholics, New York City, Europe, The UN, The way Yankees make turnip greens and illegal aliens. We couldn't get away from this duo for an hour. I wish just once to meet an old southerner who says something like: "I enjoy learning about other cultures," or "I get excited about the world and change can be a good thing." or "I want to be respectful about my opinions and strive to be flexible."... or something like that.

At dawn we left in a rainstorm. The day was overcast so it didn't get hot until 3pm. Joyously we were greeted by a lightning and thunderstorm 20 miles from Austin. Our day started at 5:30 am, ended at 9:30pm, 136 miles later. This was the ride to end the trip.