Ride to Granbury 103109 Saturday - Day One

Ride to Granbury 103109

Wow what a day. It started off with me having a problem at work and I was not sure if I was going to be able to leave. Jim and I were trying to figure out timing based on weather and such when his wife Tammy started her car this morning and it sounded funny so Jim had to bail from the ride. Rick bailed last night due to the weather and he was coming from up north so it would be a cold ride just getting down by us. I understand both of their situations as I was still working hoping myself to get out. Well my work problem ended and so I said my normal motor cycle prayer with my wife and I headed out at about 1230PM.

Last night I looked at going to Marble Falls and when I pulled it up on Google I thought I would head down the 144 out of Granbury. Then I expanded the map to see details of the intersection and I then started thinking about just exploring the Granbury area in detail. So I found a back roads route that would turn a 60 mile trip into a 75 mile trip and be all back roads except the 360 down to 287.

Well the best rides are those with no particular destination and this was one of those. I got so lost I really lost about another 20 or 30 miles, but I did not care. Here are some shots from Kennedale that I should never have been in the first place. Some of these shots are from a foundation of an old building I found. My dad would appreciate the old 7X7 and at least ¼/ inch thick floor tiles still left on the upper part of the foundation. I remember helping lay these things as a kid.

The first shot is of a structure I saw in the distance. Still not sure what it is.








The next shot is of the bike on part of the foundation.



I finally got on 917 headed West and man what a good cool road. I am going to take that back home and take more pictures come Monday. I had to make up for some lost time headed west as I did get lost.

I was getting hungry and it was getting time for a cold beer so when I got to Joshua I walked into this little Pizza joint and asked if they had any beer, the very nice lady said no but down the road not even a mile there was this Italian restaurant that may. I went on down and the sign said feel free to BYOB or BYOW so I said bingo. I was still thinking about just keep on going but I grabbed my cooler and went on in. The pizza was one of the more greasy I have ever eaten except maybe Romono’s in Des Plaines Ill., but I like it that way. I did not take a shot of the place as I am not sure how their true Italian food would taste and most people do not like greasy pizza.

When I come out of the restaurant I notice this cool car. I took a shot of the sign only to remember where I was when I took these shots.





I road on to Granbury and I saw many spots that I am going to stop at on my journey home Monday. But as I was riding I started to think about where I wanted to stay, if in Granbury or Glen Rose. I decided going past Godley that it would be Granbury and I thought about checking out the place Val and I stayed at for 4th of July. I was thinking this time of year I should be able to talk them down in price as they were expensive when we stayed there. Then I started thinking about the alternatives and I really did not want to stay at on 377 and I remembered that I thought there was a place at the Y in the road at 377 and 377 business that takes you downtown Granbury. It is called the Plantation Inn on the lake, I pulled in thinking man this place is going to be high. Well, it was extremely reasonable, in fact before I even get to ask the question about price and such this very nice lady starts talking like I am a long lost friend. She states that she must give me a discount as I am a biker and the owner is a biker so he had this standing rule. Well the room was 70 bucks for me and I said heck yes I will take one. We chatted maybe 30 minutes and I ended up leaving for my room with a detailed map of the entire area, with a bunch of ride suggestions, two hotel keys (one to keep in the bike and one for on my person) in case one goes bad or I get locked out, the motorcycle handle of the owner (Dutch), and instructions on where to park the bike if it rains but NOT IN THE ROOM! Seems Dutch either has done that himself or has had damage due to it, but no parking the bikes in the room. I am grinning as I write this, of course I did not park my bike in the room as where I could have (on the walk way under cover) would have been plenty safe. But I told the nice lady if rain came tonight it would have been an act of God and I do have insurance. Anyway the next bunch of pictures (yes I know, Finally!!) , are of the hotel, the room, and the grounds.





















Well when coming back towards the room I saw a cluster of plants and flowers so I messed around with the camera bit so I indulged myself.






Well since I am finishing this on day 2 of my ride I can only say wait until you see tomorrow (today’s) pictures. I hope I can at least get half way through tonight after dinner.

Ride safe, have fun, and seize the moment.

Pj

Brownwood State Park Ride

Brownwood State Park Ride

This has been one topsie turby ride. We were going to go to Turner Falls, then out east, then only take a one day ride, and in the end, we went South West to Brownwood Tx all because of the weather forecasts that kept on changing. First pictured below is Paul and Star’s new ride.



Val was nice enough to take some pictures of us leaving. After throwing out her back on our last bike trip she is still under Doctors orders to not ride. So her and Philip went scooting around Dallas and Greenwood looking a potential new cars for her. As most of you know our buddy (really family) Philip is a “A” level mechanic.









On the way down, we decided that a good lunch stop would be Hard Eight in Stephenville which just happens to be about mid point of the 170 mile trip according to Google.







So we continue on, and it becomes time to stop for some gas. So I do a very quick map review with Jim and we now know we need to turn up 279 and according the map he has there should be a park right up 279. So we all agree we can stop there had take a short break before going to the State Park. Now the part I missed was where I was supposed to go straight on 67 versus follow 377 south to the left. So we go about 5 to 7 miles out of our way and then I stop to do another map check as we were now headed out of Brownwood so it just did not seem right. As I walk past Ron he looks at me like “what’s up”, I say I think we missed the 279 he says yes we did and that I should have stayed straight on 67. So of course I respond with when were you going to tell me. He said as Jim did later that he thought I was going to take the group to some historic sight or something. So most of them knew we were going the wrong way for the park but thought I wanted to show them something. I wonder what would have happened if I kept on riding to Mexico. LOL

Anyway we head back and find the 279 North and stop at a church to do another map check just to be sure. Ron was not planning on staying over night so this is where he left us to head back. It was a great pleasure riding with him.

Here are a few shots of us in the Church parking lot and Ron is in two of them. Oh and since it is getting close to 4PM and we wonder when the park will close so we can get some cabins Paul calls the Park, I think for the second or third time today. They said to him “oh so you’re the motorcycle people come out way”. We have about 1 hour to get there before they close and we are all thinking we are about 40 miles out.





We get to the cabin, unload the bikes and Jim and I knowing the Park Store would be closing soon took off to get some supplies. We purchased, a pack of out dated hot dogs (we found out on our rtn), a box of cheese crackers, a few small bags of peanuts, a jar of pickles, one tin, a small bag of charcoal, a small bottle of lighter fluid, and one bag a beer nuts and the cost was $48 bucks. Now that is ridiculous to say the least and everyone enjoyed pointing that out to us. Oh, I forgot one bag of ice that we needed for the head ache we had after checking the prices on everything. On the way back to the cabins we ran across Paul and Star headed for the store and we advised that they go to the store out side the park as the store would take your wallet and first born plus they had no other food and was out of most everything. Then Dennis and CC was coming at us as well so we advised the same. The all did much better then Jim and I but were still taken to the cleaners a little. We did get some marshmallows also that were all stuck together but we managed through that challenge.

So we all got back and started setting up for dinner and just chatting.





I then took a picture of the bikes out front, the scene of the lake from behind our cabin and then the group from the edge of the area behind out cabin. In that shot notice all of the fire wood Tammy found. She really went looking to make sure it was easy to get as you were not supposed to gather fire wood so she made sure it was more then just a little accessible. A lot of it was just like dumped all over the drive way and such.





If you notice the back light on in the next picture we were all sitting around the table and the noise got annoying. We were also talking about the skills Dennis has as a handy man and he just said speaking of that what is making that noise. Jim said he thought it was the fridge and I said I had no idea so Dennis walks in the cabin, comes out and says it is not the fridge. He looks up at the light, turns if off and the noise stops.



Then the sun started to set, we have had our hot dogs and other junk food.




Now for the fire, did you ever get a bunch of Boy Scout wanna bees around a campfire. Of all of guys I hang with I think it is a tie between Paul R. and Paul S followed by Philip as the worse. They just got to mess with the fire all the time. I admit the fire was a bit low when first started but the next thing I know it is almost out with Paul standing next to it after messing with it. So after teasing him about his fire habits he and Jim set out to correct the issue. And that they did after putting the hot coals from the grill into the fire.






The next bunch of shots are of the fire and messing with the camera to see what works and does not. If any of you photo buffs got some constructive teachings please feel free to comment.







The next three are Dennis around the fire cooking a marshmallow.





As with all fun it is time to turn in for the night and hit the sack, I mean hard bed, rock style, but I slept like a baby. Lots for fresh air and crazy munchies, and a little libation.

I get up after Jim does and I shoot these two sun rise shots to the East.




Now as we are on a motorcycle trip, with no support or chase car, we did not really come well equipped. I believe I mentioned we purchased a jar of pickles for last nights collage of crud food, well this morning it is Dennis’ coffee cup.

I also mentioned how we purchased a tin to boil water in for coffee and what Jim did was boil the water and then take a coffee filter, fill it with coffee grounds, made it in to a tea bag of sorts and swirled it around in the hot water. Necessity is the root of all invention.



The next shot is of Tammy (who is not feeling very well – too much bad for you food and maybe a little libation overload), Dennis, and Jim.

When I shot this however, Paul and Star were still in bed sleeping and the report is he snores as loud as Dennis, and CC is just laying down. So we are all off to a slow moving morning. Believe it or not however it was Tammy who wanted to hit the road first.



While mulling around I shot this picture starting to think about possible rain, but the rain never came all day and it was sunny all the way home until we got to Euless.


Ah and CC shows up coming threw the woods.



It was time to ride, Paul and Star wanted to ride to Abilene to see a friend and have breakfast in town while the rest of us decided to go back on the 287. I wanted to stop a lot more often but we were running late, and Tammy as still not feeling all that well so we only stopped at two little rest areas. We grabbed some Subways before getting to this area. After eating I decided to take a walk about and took some shots of the area.










We take one more rest stop break and Jim and Tammy then head home while CC and Dennis and I decide to stop at the American Legion for one last beer before heading home.





When we got to the Legion Val was there with her football commrades so we said our hello’s and such and after my beer I headed on home. It was another great trip and I think we all had a good time.

Ride safe, have fun, and seize the moment.

Pj