Day 34 Yeuga Creek Park Somerville Texas

 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 and invited us all inside to dry off even though he wasn’t open for another hour. Buckets of water pound at the building while we got to know Doug and his sidekick, an older man in a black cowboy hat with just a few teeth named pickle. Pickle told us all about the lake we were headed towards and lots about Doug. Doug’s aunt showed up partway through all of this and It was on. Time to order off the menu and I can highly recommend cowboy bites – corn, cream cheese, jalapeños and bacon all fried together and dipped in ranch. My body wonders what’s going on.

The weather cleared after lunch and we were on our way again on winding roads through farmland. We took turns riding point for dogs but luckily encountered very few.

Our next stop was Round Top, where we were able to avoid most of the traffic from the worlds largest antique sale while still enjoying junkberry pie from Royer‘s café.

Junkberry pie is basically what you make with all your leftover berries. We demolished one pie quickly with eight forks at once.

From Royers it was an easy 20 miles that included an unexpected but fun gravel section. We’re now settled in at Yucca Creek Park on Somerville lake with lots of other people. It’s Friday and the Astros are in the World Series. A large group has showed up to watch the game at the campground.

We had dinner at Mamas Kitchen which features southern cooking. My arteries will never be the same.

Things I learned today:

• Texas horse and cattle farms are beautiful, but there are a few trees and nowhere to pee.
• Texans are warm wonderful kind people.
• Cheesecake should be part of breakfast more often.
• I don’t like sleeping on a slope.