West Texas Wanderlust

[Jarrett]

Would but stupid job.

 

[KsTeveM]

 

[KsTeveM]

It’s going down, Part Deux West Texas. Weather is good, time off was available and bike was getting mouthy about not being ridden enough. Calm down little fella, you’re coming out of the barn.

If you have followed along with past rides, you know I like to sneak in some Uncle love. Today I hung out at home with my family and then beat cheeks to my Uncle’s. Wait, that sounded……just right.

I’ve run these roads too many times to count, tried to mix it a little different from at least the last couple of times. RR12 to Wimberly, FM blah blah over to Blanco. The weather was just sort of good, little damp and gloomy.

But over towards Luckenbach way, skies opened up and things were decent.

And I partook of what needing partook of over there. Ain’t nobody feelin no pain.

Next up Grapetown, Grape Creek, Bear Creek, Pedernales River, random creeks. Really started shaping up to be pretty riding.

Bingo, in Ingram, for the love. All is well, night night!!

 

[KsTeveM]

Dripity drip drip, dripity drip drip look at Stevo go……another yucky morning. Have to have faith it will clear up. Just going to take it easy and ease my way.

I think last time I did this run I left Ingram and worked my way south and then west. This time, getting crazy, working my way west then south.

I tried kissing a frog with some map routing, didn’t work, lost time. Or did I?

What do a Mercedes, a sail boat and an Africa Twin have in common? Not much other than they all 3 wandered around west Texas at some point.

Some nice slippery water crossings.

Some normal stuff trying to avoid I-10. Sometimes you can see it, but still nice to not be on it. Sometimes you have to get on it. But you can always leave it. Is any of this making any sense?

Took a break in Ozona, grub, supplies, crammed all the gas the AT would hold. This tank really needs to get me out there……. and back. Catch you on the flip side, headed into the bush. And faith paid off, afternoon looking beautiful. This posting brought to you from a road side somewhere far far away.

 

[TNC]

Well, here we go again...LOL! Love these little jaunts of yours.

 

[KsTeveM]

Originally planned on going to the Devils River State Natural Area yesterday to camp. But they don’t allow camping during the week.

Then decided to go to my backup, Pandale. Their website said minimum 4 nights during holidays, for a cabin, or primitive tent spot.

An email to those folks cleared that up, so I stuck to Plan B. Something nice about a camp spot you can count on…..next to a pristine river……without people. So I headed out of Ozona for some more meandering, even further away from normal life.

Absolutely beautiful afternoon out here!

Touchdown, a familiar scene, me thinks I’ve been here before.

Got camp setup and chillaxed. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Had some technical difficulty, mandals had a blow out.

Had to do open heart surgery, so got a fresh beer and sterilized the leatherman. All better.

Supper….had a ribeye stowed away along with some potatoes. Got my fire going and did it to it. It was a good day.

 

[KsTeveM]

I didn’t sleep the best last night. My normal combination when I’m by myself….go to bed too early and restless in a remote place solo. Got up early and stoked the fire. What do you call it when your Uncle makes extra breakfast the morning before and sends some with you? Uncle love, long distance. Had to get tricky with the adjustafork. That’s pancakes and bacon y’all!

I decided to break camp completely even though the plan was to come back here tonight. You never know what can happen, didn’t want to be separate from my gear and hundred plus miles apart possibly. I grabbed this pic and thought I would be on my way.

I thought I heard a funny noise, circular in nature like a rock in my tire. Decided to look, something seemed off. It was a twig with a thorn…please be in the knobby, please be in the knobby. Peeled the twig off, not that lucky.

Please be at an angle, please be at an angle. Not that lucky. Thought about just riding and pretending I didn’t know. But I knew. Decided to go back to camp where I spotted a metal picnic table at some other cabin. Pulled the thorn, she was done. Time to unpack and go to work.

I got er done, so much for my early start, but at least I was up early and it’s still sort of early . I had a tube, but I like having it as my last resort if I can’t patch or get another flat.

I headed out west to poke around. It wasn’t foggy when I left the first time, it is now.

When I was little we got to hunt right in this general area. Wish I could deviate off into some of these ranches. There are some monster properties/canyons out here few get to see.

I took one side trip hoping for it to pan out, no dice, lost time. Or did I?

Not all county roads are created equal, there were some surprise attacks here and there to keep you on your toes dancing through the tulips.

Time to head to civilization so I can be poised to head east tomorrow off the rip.

First stop was Dryden. New place opened up. No gas but they are super friendly, come have a snack or drink….and good sausage and jerky. Stop in on them and help them out!

After some people nourishment, I headed east for bike nourishment. Stopped here to take a break and did some ride report writing.

Decided since I had time and not in much of a rush today that I would actually go in the Judge Roy Bean Museum. Been many years since I went inside.

Ok, no more joking, I need gas. Orange light is on and a red one is flashing. Easy ol girl, I’m gettin to it. But we got time for another break….Stopped here to take a break and work on the ride report from today for posting later. Not a bad office.

Took this shot of high bridge, different angle from the normal pics you see. Ok, no more messing around….gas.

Got the gas and other supplies….and couldn’t help but stop at the Pecos again. I knew it was down from my camp site, but this shot really shows you. When I was little we took a normal sized skiing boat down this same exact spot by using the boat ramp that is the old highway. Need an air boat now…or a pero. I’m sure I spelled that wrong, my cajon vernacular is minimal. Time to shove off, more to do today and the sun is talking to me.

 

[Jarrett]

How long did that flat fix take?

 

[KsTeveM]

Hello Jarrett, yes I’m having a good time, how are you? Nope, straight for the hardship .

Took an hour or so. Unpacking, balancing the bike with my head, getting my custom kickstand under the fender, removing the one caliper, breaking it down, patching, and making my own slippery snot with a travel bar of soap and spit. It’s always easier with a second guy, really only need them here and there balancing things, but that third hand is priceless. Also helps having less anxiety when you aren’t the reason to hold up others fun……it was just my fun postponed. I just put on some music and took my time. And was thankful it was the front, this wide street bike rear rim stuff sucks breaking the bead. And the work bench was so nice, cool temps and shade. So I was lucky? I’m sorry I haven’t had any other hardships to discuss. The blow out repair on my sandals, I did time that. Only took me 15 minutes!

 

[TNC]

Hello Jarrett, yes I’m having a good time, how are you? Nope, straight for the hardship .

Took an hour or so. Unpacking, balancing the bike with my head, getting my custom kickstand under the fender, removing the one caliper, breaking it down, patching, and making my own slippery snot with a travel bar of soap and spit. It’s always easier with a second guy, really only need them here and there balancing things, but that third hand is priceless. Also helps having less anxiety when you aren’t the reason to hold up others fun……it was just my fun postponed. I just put on some music and took my time. And was thankful it was the front, this wide street bike rear rim stuff sucks breaking the bead. And the work bench was so nice, cool temps and shade. So I was lucky? I’m sorry I haven’t had any other hardships to discuss. The blow out repair on my sandals, I did time that. Only took me 15 minutes!

It's too bad flats can't be quickly repaired with zip ties.

 

[Jarrett]

The pics are nice too

 

[Old Rocket]

Great report and photos, Steve. 12 months and 2 days,I will be retired and I want to ride this same area for days at a time. Thanks for the idea!

 

[KsTeveM]

Took the dirt back towards camp enjoying the desert scene.

This little guy wanted to play, I declined. Scared the crap out of me, thought a mesquite tree was jumping out to attack me. Deer, not the brightest, he did a couple headers into the game proof fence instead of going left and clearing the one Billy Barty could have cleared, with a suitcase full of bibles.

I like it when you ride dirt as far as you can see to the horizon, over and over again.

Camp life, repeat, sort of. I opted for a cabin tonight. Didn’t want another restless night of sleep and I wanted to roll at a decent time without having to break camp and deal with the heavy dew.

Nice relaxing evening. Decent sunset and killer stars, tried to get decent pics. Night night time.

 

[Jarrett]

Nice pics!

How far is that cabin from NB roughly?

(See I didn't say anything about your flat this time)

 

[Kiyoti]

ride...!!!
...what campground are the cabins at...??
TIA

 

[KsTeveM]

Nice pics!

How far is that cabin from NB roughly?

(See I didn't say anything about your flat this time)

Happy to report no flats today!

Cabin….if you just went straight there the quickest way, 4.5 hours maybe. But if you are lustfully wandering around on a bike, different story. Monday it took me like 8 hours to take the “northern” bike route from Ingram to Pandale. Today it took me 9 hours to do the “southern” bike route Pandale to Tarpley. Now this is smelling the roses some, but I also haul the mail at times. I just don’t take direct routes, I’m a dirt sniffer and will get my snort’s worth. I also stop and eat when I want etc.

 

[KsTeveM]

ride...!!!
...what campground are the cabins at...??
TIA

Pandale Crossing River Resort. Now when people use the word resort in West Texas, you have to put it in context!

 

[KsTeveM]

Nice clean brisk west Texas morning. Enjoying my Dr. Pepper, doesn’t have to be 10, 2 or 4 as it turns out.

I took out for Juno, don’t you know. I thought things were foggy.

I was wrong, that was child’s play. It was a little scary on the pavement, worried about eating a rancher with a stock trailer or a hunter headed to the processor with $300 a lb. deer meat.

Luckily it was a short stint of pavement, my dirt route came up pretty quick, I felt safer. Tried to wait it out here for a bit.

Wasn’t working. Went on and got to riding, just slow with my visor up. Got to sneak up on a lot of deer.

Come on sun, you can do it!

Sun finally did its thing and I pounded out some miles towards Rocksprings, with a little bit of dirt thrown in. Shaping up nice out here folks!

And those tall things next to my bike, those are called trees. Guess we are officially back in central Texas!

Day 4 of riding solo. Finding myself thankful for my life and my people.

Squeaked into Rocksprings and gassed up, the bike and my person. And did a little writing. Squeaked backed out of Rocksprings and decided to play with some more dirt around the Nueces. Have to get there first.

I grew up camping a lot out this way. Some people have a thing with the Frio, my thing is the Nueces.

The problem with the Frio is the thing with the people. Never mind, the Nueces is terrible and I photo shopped these pics, I was actually riding around in Del Rio on pavement.

Think I just found my new computer background for a while….

River was down, made for easy crossings.

Barked my way out of the next town and bull headedly went on this road next to a creek.

I’m on my way to my sister’s house, seemed appropriate to hit some sisters, making my way in and out of Leakey.

In the Eutopia area working my way towards Tarpley/home for the night. No Uncle Love here, just my sister and brother in law. I tried to look for a bnl meme, didn’t really find anything….but this…..being my brother-in-law is really the only gift you need. Perfect.

My wandering is just about over, till next time. Tomorrow is normal paved stuff to get home. Then ride the little bikes with my kids on the family property during New Years. Two wheels never get old. Happy Holidays you filthy animals!

 

[TNC]

Once again, Steve, you prove there is no adventure riding in TX nor any real scenery. One has to go to CO for that...right?

 

[KsTeveM]

Once again, Steve, you prove there is no adventure riding in TX nor any real scenery. One has to go to CO for that...right?

Maybe if all the Colorado folks move here, we can move there? In the mean time, do the best with what you got right? It was hard today, this pic looks nice, but it was really the cedar apocalypse on full attack. I sneezed and snotted my way home!!

 

[michaellmcc]

As usual, outstanding prose and photography, KsTeve! I enjoyed the latest on West Texas.

I got Mexico calling after Jan 1...keep on the lookout in case I get in another bind.

And by the way, very impressed to see you mature emtionally enough to go for it on what the Brits call a "big trailie": Meaning a real, go anywhere and everywhere bike. Unlike those little KTM's, you don't need the $40,000 accessory pick-up to take you to the dirt. Well done!

 

[KsTeveM]

As usual, outstanding prose and photography, KsTeve! I enjoyed the latest on West Texas.

I got Mexico calling after Jan 1...keep on the lookout in case I get in another bind.

Cool man, glad you enjoyed the report. I’m getting my ducks in a row for some future Mexico stuff. Want to put that toe in the water…..or the knobby in that dirt as it were! And the big trailie is good for the bigger miles and is treating me right with the Texas stuff I’m tackling. Out of state stuff, it’s a coin toss, I still like the tougher stuff my little trailie shines on!!

 

[Mskinner]

"where the peoples is" Jeremiah Johnson??
Great ride reports. Cheers from Seguin.
Matt

 

[KsTeveM]

"where the peoples is" Jeremiah Johnson??
Great ride reports. Cheers from Seguin.
Matt

Jeremiah Johnson, yes sir. Cheers right back, I’m just north of Geronimo!

 

[Mskinner]

I'm a bit of a lone wolf as well, but I am always up for a ride. I too turned my boys on to this and Marty Robbins, as my dad did me.
Names Del Gue... with an E.