I’m writing this entry backwards in time, from night to morning, because where we are staying is so remarkable. It’s called the Shepherd Sanctuary and it is aptly named.  It’s a house…And an art exhibit... And a slice of culture all wrapped up in a warm welcoming place to gather and stay.  I’m writing on an outside patio, looking at the lights hanging overhead and marveling at the individual rooms across the way that are each decorated in a different style and built as if each one was added on as needed. A fire pit Sits at the center and that’s where we sat and roasted marshmallows and left after dinner. The sanctuary is owned by Peach and her wife. They built it after they lost their house in a hurricane, living first in just two rooms built as bungalows. When they built the main house their kids were growing and leaving home. As kids often do, they tried to come back. So Peach and her wife built the outbuilding so the kids would have someplace to stay outside of the house. Peach’s w

 Today’s ride was more of the same — farm fields, horses, cattle, even some cows with floppy ears that made them look like they had been mixed with sheep. My day’s regret was not getting a picture. It’s too bad the weather was still gray when we left because the lake and the beach in Somerville would be great in the sun, but with 71 miles ahead of us we were up and out early. Our first stop was Independence, home of the original Baylor University. It started as a girls school, then Baylor Academy (coed- you go, progressive Texas!) and finally the University before it moved to Waco. Locals told us that the current dean has freshman and seniors come to the site each year; freshmen to learn the history, and seniors to say goodbye. The site also included some early Texas homes from the 1820s. One was called a dog- trot house, called that because it has a breezeway in the middle. The center area was often used as a dog kennel. They also had examples of other homes from the 1820s which inter

 Those that know me will gasp, or at least cringe, when I tell you that we are expected to be able to self navigate along this trip. Although there are eight of us, we all ride at different rates and it’s not unusual to be heading out alone on your own. If you’ve ever seen me use a map, or try to create directions, you know. I have no sense of direction. I never know which direction I am going unless it’s sunrise or sunset. If I think we need to go right, we most definitely should go left. For this ride we use Ride with GPS, an app that gives both auditory and Cue sheet directions. There’s also a map included that has a blue line we are supposed to follow. This is worked wonderfully for me so far, as I can follow oral directions really well, especially since they come one at a time. With a prompt. And usually twice. Until today. The Ride with GPS map was correct but the cue sheet left out a turn. A very important turn. One that, if missed, would take us about 40 miles out of our way. L

 Well, no one’s tent was swept away, nor did anyone take flight in the rain and wind that never happened last night. We were able to sit out under cloudy but dry skies for today 65 miler. East Texas has lots of cows, a few horses, and the occasionally amusing scarecrow.  There’s a pretty good mix of barely hanging on properties mixed in with high-end ranches. We rode back roads most of the day and saw lots of both. It’s been a thing on this trip that escape patches appear just when we need them, and today was no exception. Around mile 17, the sky began to spit rain. By mile 18, the rain was steady, and at 19, dark cloud filled the sky behind me. But in front of me stood beers and burgers like an oasis, with most of our crew already under the porch roof. I joined them just as things busted loose and Texas started in on an epic tantrum. We’ve been there about 20 minutes when the guy who opens showed up. He was totally nonplus to find eight soggy cyclist spotting on his porch furniture an

 If you had asked me at the beginning of the trip which state would have had the steepest climbs, I would not have guessed Texas; however, that seems to be the case. Today I felt right at home. We had our map meeting this morning at breakfast and all seemed doable. I did one last check with the front desk to see if my absentee ballot had caught up with me. It had not. Greg, your vote will not be canceled by me this year! We headed out through sidestreets to leave Austin, a city I can highly recommend. We traveled bike lanes and bike paths  out to some rural roads.  Of course we had to stop for second breakfast burritos! We were riding in a group of about six when we came up on a stretch of road that had house after house with loose dogs. All of them ran at us. We must’ve made a crazy sounding group. Some of us hollered. Some blasted air horns. Several of us have “dog dazers“ which is a little clicker device that is supposed to repel dogs. I’m not sure how well it really works but no on

 Great nights sleep at a very quiet Super 8 motel. This neighborhood is mixed, residential and commercial, and includes Franklin’s Barbecue which apparently is a very famous and popular place to eat. The Texas music museum is also here. Sue and I got up early. She is my roommate for this rest day as Ann is off with her husband and friends. We rode to CycleEast, a bike store nearby. I needed a new tire and Sue needed her derailleur adjusted. We enjoyed talking with Hannah the bike mechanic who was very generous with her knowledge. Another plus was the coffee shop that shared the same space as the bike shop. Lattes and bike talk — nothing better! And, as a bonus, I was able to swap the tire out when I got back with a minimum of help from anybody else. Ankur and Tammi prepared us a delicious brunch in the parking lot and shortly after that Sue Grant’s friend Arlene showed up with a care package for me. It contains treats and snacks and chamois butter. Thanks Sue! You are the best! Now it

 Texas must have had some kind of break up last night because her hissy fit was epic! We noticed thunderheads and sheet lightning in the distance and were sitting around a picnic table talking and minding our own business when all of a sudden the temperature dropped about 10° and the wind picked up to about 30 mph. It blew cups and cans off the table and leaves were flying everywhere. We grabbed our stuff and made for our tents just in time for her to hurl rain, thunder, and lightning at us. The rain was short-lived but the wind continued and included gusts up to 50 mph. My tent did an admirable job but there was a fine layer of sand over everything this morning. And it was cold! 51° as we huddled around the coffee. The wind finally let up by the time we were packed up and we were on the back roads to Austin by 830. Not much to see on the way – a little yard art and some truly over the top sized homes, narrow winding roads and of course, hills. Carl, Jack and I rode as a group today an