Yeah, I know, I said on May 11, I'd be back in a couple of weeks with pics of the ride to Eureka Springs. Well, Murphy struck again. A long time business associate and exceptional friend passed as we were on our way to Eureka Springs. We abandoned the trip at Mena, Ar. and returned home. There was no obligation to attend his funeral, but a man such as he deserved as good a final send off as I could do. Jim... you'll be missed.

So now it's July 22...  how time flies. Our dear brother in law was finally released from his hospital stay and some rehab, after near 7 weeks of pain, much of it touch & go, but he's finally released to home care this last Friday. Must still wear a wound vac, but will have the home health care people to assist in the care of it, and the continuation of his rehab.

After spending the last few days in Abilene... and the current 100*+ temps... B-I-L comfortably at home, we decided to go somewhere cooler. Unfortunately, not on the trike as we weren't sure of anything last week, but we did throw some camping gear in the pickup, and decided to head for the mountains of New Mexico.

First stop is south of the Capitan Mtns, near the old Fort Stanton, Snowy River Cave Nat'l Conservation Area.

Our first camp is at the Cave Canyon Campgrounds. A nice little place, well off the beaten path, with the only amenities a vault toilet. But we're set, water, food, bedding... and COOL WEATHER!!!!  94* mid afternoon temp, forecast low of 68*  Love it!

Back later in the week, when we see where we decide to go. Elevation here is 6400' or so, and best of all, camping is free on BLM land...  for 14 days, anyway.

What happened to traveling???

Well, stuff happens. Normal colds/flu, doctor appointments & tests, required maintenance on the trike, and most loved kin needing assistance...  seems we will never get out on the road this year.

We had plans to ride with friends, up into the NW states, N. California, Oregon & Washington. But as with all things man plans,  something will come up to change those plans. We will need to be in state to assist favored kin in June. So the NW ride is put off for a while, but, we do have other triker friends organizing a reunion in Eureka Springs, Arkansas the last of May, which we shall attend instead. And will be taking some friends with us. G & C have a near new Street Glide, and we want to introduce them to traveling. I know they'll love it.

We sold our Kwik Kamp tent trailer, a couple of years ago, convincing ourselves that tent camping would be just as good. Well, after a year... it ain't. So we found a new to us Alpine camper, at a good price, and purchased it. We've loaded it out with our gear, water-treated the canvas, 'bout ready to go. I have ordered new tires for it, should be here next week. Install those & pack the wheel bearings, then get out the map & plan some trips. We won't use it in ES, as we already have very reasonable motel reservations there. But it will save us a good amount $ the rest of the year.

A couple of pics:

Hopefully, we'll be back in a couple of weeks with pics and tales of our Eureka Springs travels.

Ride Certified

We received notice that our National Parks Tour ride, done last year, has been certified by the Iron Butt Association. We rode near 30k miles last year for this tour, learning a great deal about our great country.

It's time to start another project this year, perhaps the Pressed Penny Ride? We'll see.

A New Year, 2018

Not a lot happening since the Kerrville reunion. Just a few around town errands on the trike.

This winter, so far, has been exceedingly wet and cooler... to down right colder, than previous years. Our colder years seem to follow a 30 year (or there-abouts) cycle. The last time I remember these colder temps was around 1987, we had five days running when the temps did not get above freezing.

I blame the colder weather, and Thanksgiving folks at the house (tho we did have an exceedingly good T'giving) for a resulting bout with the flu/pneumonia by both L and I. Seems we were sick for nearly a week, and the congestion/cough lingered much longer. Mine's good now, L still has her congestion & cough.

And current weather isn't good for riding, even with the snow suits. Ice on the roads/bridges isn't fun on a trike. So, we're hoping the weather turns better, just last February we were camping in Big Bend National Park.

Hoping for better/warmer weather. Ya'll stay warm & safe.

And a pic from this morning....  17* in Conroe...