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Day 35- New Waverly, Texas

 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 interested me because that’s the same time frame that my house was built in. I took a few pictures of the inside so I could imagine what my house might have looked like in that time period.



From here we went just a short distance to the Independence store for a bit of coffee and a snack. There was a Bike group from Houston there as well who were interested in our trip and in the tandem. Nice folks who wished us well.


After Independence is when the navigation got a bit wonky. I did OK along the winding roads with no paint and lots of fields, but when I hit Route 105 I wasn’t sure which way to go. Again — help arrived in the form of a Welsh  couple doing the southern tier in the opposite direction. They had already passed everyone else and pointed me left.

Eventually I rolled onto a road that indicated I was in the Sam Houston national forest where we are now staying. Much more quiet than last night – except for us! We sat around and laughed and laughed for about an hour after dinner.

Things I learned today:

  • Map skills are important! I need to figure this shit out.
  • There is a Wood Ape Conservancy here. I have many questions…

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 1, 2022 at 1:19 PM

    Interesting. I never heard of Bigfoot referred to as a wood ape. I am learning so much. I looked up the website. Question: can you get in touch with the bike organizers if you feel like you might be getting lost? Yikes, I don't like feeling or being lost. You are so brave. Debbie

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