The morning was a bit cooler than the previous day but I had a warm cup of coffee and a delicious pastry to warm me up. Taking my cowboy coffee down to the water's edge, it was a treat to watch deer walk across the low water crossing upstream, stopping often to sniff the air then continuing on to the opposite bank. The campground was populated with broad native pecan trees which dropped their tasty but small nuts earlier in the fall. Fortunately, there was such an abundance that the critters hadn't consumed them all. I spent over an hour picking 10lb or more of pecans in the morning light. Little did I know, shelling these pecans would take many hours! I'm still working on the task but the prospect of free food, especially nuts, keeps my fingers working. They taste delicious! |
Nearing the city of Austin, I made camp along the Colorado River just outside the town of Marble Falls. The temperature was warm with a slight breeze as I stood along the banks in a T-Shirt surveying the low water level. The free county park campground was just what I needed after a long day's ride. A nice quick bath in the cool water left me drying in the last fading rays of sunshine overlooking ducks and doves on the water's edge. I heard the strumming of a guitar in the distance and went to investigate. Around the corner was a local guy sitting on a 5 gallon bucket enjoying a beverage as the sun sank into the river. He introduced himself as Tom and offered to let me pluck a few notes on his Martin Backacker guitar. I obliged and soon had a cold local Blonde (ale) in my hands and the opportunity to share some stories. "I don't know what you are doing tomorrow but you are welcome to come up to my 'Ranchito' a few miles from here." I told him I'd stop by tomorrow and we exchanged information. The night was quiet and stars bright. I rolled up to Tom's "Ranchito" and was welcomed with open arms. I offered to get some work done around the garden so we shored up and levels out some planter boxes and laid down weed barrier cloth in preparation for the upcoming planting season. Soon healthy tomatoes, peppers and greens would be sprouting from these 2'x2' squares. It was a pleasant day in the sunshine and great company to swap stories and hear about the local history. Following dinner, Tom suggested we make a visit to the local watering hole, The Double Horn, for $3 Thursdays. I was all about meeting his local gang down at the bar and trying some of the local brews. Their stout was rich and delicious with a nice hoppy note. The quality of folks I met down there and the true characters that represent this town in Texas continue to inform my opinions of how great this state really is.
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Mike SaundersIn May 2014 I quit my job to ride a Honda Ruckus over 69'000 mi and counting. Wild camping most nights and cooking most of my own meals, I keep the costs low and the landscape changing. Archives
April 2018
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