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