Oct TOI Meet: Kerrville, Tx Oct 6, 7, 8, 2016

as usual, you should be able to enlarge a photo by clicking on it.

It's been a while since I updated our where-abouts, but an aging, ailing Dad up in the panhandle area has consumed much of our time running back & forth, dealing with hospitals, surgeries, home health care, etc.

Even during these stressful times, we enjoy visiting old landmarks in the area of our home. Below is our ride in front of the old county jail at Clairemont, Tx. This Kent county landmark was completed in 1895.

My Dad, 90 years old and barely 100#, a few weeks before prostrate cancer surgery. I got him to pose on the 'Wing, but he won't ride with me.  👴

 It's not over yet (the complications), but I'll use the lull here.

October, the first weekend of the month, is the traditional  Trike Owner's Int'l Texas gathering at Kerrville, Tx. We have participants from great distances come down to enjoy our Texas hospitality and the beautiful hill country riding. The famed Three Sisters Ride (Hwys FM365, FM366, FM367) is in the area, and always a challenge for new & old riders alike. Not to mention the other great rural roads thru the hill country & small but welcoming west Texas burgs with their specialty eateries.

We started out Friday afternoon with a ride to the Old Tunnel State Park, to watch the three million Mexican Free Tail bats that emerge in clouds each evening.

Myself and a few friends, from the many there, along on the ride.

A few snap shots from the viewing area. Bats will emerge just to the left of the lower benches. The tunnel runs beneath the viewing area, and a shot of the surrounding area.

 We had just had a cool front come thru, leaving us with a northerly wind. The attendants assured us we would have a good viewing, as the bats generally left the tunnel and headed into the wind, we were north of their exit. The bats did their thing, we got to see a bunch of the little critters. I didn't attempt to count to three million, the little things (only weighing around 4 oz fully grown) are fast.

And... Saturday was a day filled with riding. We had so many riders this year, that we conducted three led rides. Buddies Jerry, Stan & myself each led a route. Pics below are from my ride.

After a morning of riding & sightseeing, our three groups met at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop, just west of Leakey, Tx.  They serve great food, cold tea, sodas & beer. A perfect break stop.

After the last riding day, Sunday, we all gathered at the YO Ranch motel's dining room, and had a grand time stuffing ourselves with beef, seafood, salads & deserts...  and general revelry. Now, to plan for next years gathering.

Florida, N. Carolina, Tennessee, & Arkansas 8/31 - 9/18

We left home 8/31 with several objectives in mind, visiting the younger brother & family in Florida, meeting our friends with Trike Owners Int'l in NC, riding the Natchez Trace, then to Eureka Springs, Ar to visit friends with the American Trike Riders.  Let's roll. 

When we left home, there was a hurricane stirring on the Florida Atlantic coast. Not really a concern, since it was mid-state and predicted to go back into the Atlantic, and we were going to visit the pan-handle, Panama City Beach. As we traveled, intending on making it a leisurely two day trip, Brother called and advised the hurricane Hermine had altered course & was due to cross the pan-handle area soon. We rode straight thru, encountering only light rain.  Hermine came ashore to the east of Panama City Beach the next evening, so we were spared the torrential rain & winds, but the weather did curtail riding. Brother's hospitality included chauffering us around to see the sites, and eat at his restaurant, MUY WAYNEO'S. Truly fine Tex-Mex cuisine.

Only managed one pic while in the area, sunset as Hermine was coming ashore to the east.

We needed to be in Maggie Valley, NC on Monday to meet friends for the TOI Reunion, see the bikes of the Geico Hot Bike Tour, and several days of riding the Blue Ridge Mtns. So we left the comfort of Brothers home, in rain suits, headed north. Finally ran out of the rain about 70 miles south of Atlanta, GA.

After Florida, the weather here was just perfect for riding. Cool mornings, hot afternoons.  A couple of pics of bikes at the Hot Bike Tour, courtesy of friend Zammy.

Of course, every biker wants to ride the 'Tail of the Dragon" while in the area. Below are pics from Deal's Gap at the top, NC, side of the Dragon.

Of course, we had to ride part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Very beautiful, twisty ride with lots of pull-outs for photo opportunities. Perhaps one day we can ride the entire length of the BRP.

Some of the riding buddies:

All good things must end, so we left Maggie Valley on 9/10 headed for Nashville TN and the beginning of the Natchez Trace. The Trace was a nice ride but not challenging. Few pics :

Wild turkeys, kinda blurry but we had to be quick.. at 50 mph

 

After the Trace, we pointed the trike back north, to meet friends with the ATR on 9/14 in Eureka Springs, Ar.  Lot's of good riding in the Ozark Mtns. 

On Thu we rode to the Original Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, MO. We toured the HUGE store, which also contains the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum.

On the ride back, we detoured to the Cliff House Inn for a great meal & vista

On Friday, we did some sight-seeing, and went to "the Cave" Restaurant for lunch. 

Stan's shortcut across the mountain

waiting to load on a ferry, crossing a lake to get back to ES

Our last day, Saturday, we had a pizza supper and.... ICE CREAM, home made to boot!!

All good things must come to an end, on Sunday we made an early start for home, arriving late, slightly stove up, but willing to go again. (Soon as we get some more money!!)

3,648 miles