Just ridin'

[aharbi]

The winter weather took a nice break, clear skies, no winter wind. So I headed for the hills of West Texas.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0162.jpg~original

 

Away from the city gas was still under two dollars. In Austin the price is $1.66 two cents less

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Love riding in Texas. Where else can you choose between riding in Eden or evil sounding Eldorado (always liked that name).

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0168.jpg~original

 

Fort McKavett labeled as one of the most scenic fort locations in Texas from the Indian Wars overlooking the San Saba river.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0169.jpg~original

 

Hospital building and park office

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020622.jpg~original

 

Panoramic view. Barrack ruins, parade grounds, Lieutenants row, Captains Quarters, Schools house, Field house ruins, Commanding Officers Quarters ruins

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Some displays from "restored" buildings.

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Stove from inside school

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Parade grounds, barrack ruins

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020640.jpg~original

 

Closer look at Field house ruins, Commanding Officers Quarters ruins. I had the entire grounds to myself, it was late afternoon and 83°. Time to head home with a little over 200 miles I knew I would arrive home after dark.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/P1020655_stitch.jpg~original

 

HOWEVER one of my favorite Texas open pit BBQ places was alone the way home, had to stop. Pinto beans with ham & jalapeno , pecan cobbler, beef ribs. Served on butcher paper.

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I had company looking down on me.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Fort%20McKavett/DSCN0179.jpg~original

[rbig1]

look like you had a nice day clear sky and all. thanks for posting

[cowpuc]

WOW!! Brought TEARS to my eyes (happy tears)!!

 

Tippy and I LOVE touring "ruins" like that Art - those pics are GORGEOUS!! Now ya got Tippy jumping up and down shouting "LETS GOOOOOOOO!!"!! Unreal that it can be so cold here, furnace keeping us warm and you can be cruising around in 80 degree weather!!!

 

Our gas just dropped another 10 cents to 1.85 here,, ya got us beat there too!! Guess the only place we got cha beat is in the food category,, not sure Tip could eat that much (LOOKS DELICIOUS - I could eat hers and mine too - EASILY)!!!

 

GREAT STORY - GREAT PICS - GREAT RIDE ALONG!! THANKS!!

Puc n Tip!!

[Yammer Dan]

Man... Those RIBS!!!!

[utadventure]

Is there a JEALOUS icon????

[aharbi]

The weather forecast looked good so I took off on another all day 11hr 500 mile ride into the Texas Hill Country. Here is a screenshot from Google maps of the area I rode. You can see why it's called the hill country.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/topo.jpg~original

 

When I left the house it was a little chilly (40ish) and overcast as I left Austin under the toll road overpasses.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0218.jpg~original

 

You may have heard about the speed limits on these toll roads and the roads in west Texas. Personally I think 85mph is too fast. Most deaths have been from single vehicle roll overs and over and over and over.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0222.jpg~original

 

From my place it's about a 4 hour ride. But I take my time and take the back roads.

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Getting closer to them thare hills.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0225.jpg~original

 

Three Ranch Roads (RR) make up what has become know as the...

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/TwistSisters.jpg~original

 

Riding on RR337

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0231.jpg~original

 

At the top of the next hill is a grim reminder of the twists and turns on these roads

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0240.jpg~original

 

I spend the rest of the day riding these roads. It is Sunday and not much is open in these little towns. However I do see a sign in the back of an old pickup parked alongside the road that says "Hot Dogs Today" I found it.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0249.jpg~original

 

It wasn't hear the last time I rode RR335 out of Barksdale TX.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0247.jpg~original

 

I order a footlong Chicago dog, hadn't had a footlong in must be 30 years. The onion rings were awesome.

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The bottles lineup to where they are in the cooler as the bottles were up to the neck in ice.

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Time to finish riding the hills and turn for home.

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Sun is getting low and casting long shadows. This massive estate/ranch has always interested me. Hugh cinder block wall with glass shards embedded. in the top. Giraffes, camels, kangaroos abound on the property. Interesting place.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk100/aharbi/2015%20Feb%20Texas%20Hill%20Country/DSCN0255.jpg~original

 

I stop for gas, zip the vents closed in my jacket, change my face shield to the clear one. Change to heavier gloves and hunker down for the 167 mile ride home in the dark. A wonderful day of riding, a high of 75 and now an evening ride in the cool. A great day.

[slowrollwv]

Great pictures and looks like you had fun doing that ride.

[cowpuc]

:clap2::dancefool::thumbsup::guitarist 2:

 

THANKS ART, THAT WAS AWESOME!!!

 

 

YOO,, FLYINGFOOL:snow:,, WE REALLY NEED TO TALK BROTHER!!

[Du-Rron]

I just did this same trip on 2-9-15.

 

There is a giraffe located at the metal building at the top right of this picture.

 

I am going to go again very soon and this time visit the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum located in Vanderpool Home owned by an Australian guy, who is now an American Citizen, that has Vincents and all other kinds of Motorcycles. His collections are rumored to rival Jay Leno's (click the word HOME to go there)

Edited February 14, 2015 by Du-Rron