Thanksgiving weekend to Big Bend

[RTRandy]

Had a great Thanksgiving day with the family on Thursday and took off Friday morning for a trip to Big Bend out of Dallas riding solo. Day one was Dallas to Kerrville which is part of the Hill Country. Trust me, if you're in Kerville, you better be ready for some great roads in any direction. Worth the trip no matter where you're from.


Dallas to Hamilton by way of Lake Whitney on Hwy 22 out of Hillsboro and Hwy 219 are great roads especially 219 only it was cold and overcast on Friday and on the verge of raining all morning. I was trying to make time and couldn't see the point of photos. Anyhow, when setting up the GPS to create a route I must have missed connecting the road in Itasca, Texas so it took me off route a few blocks to have me going on a dirt road along the road I was supposed to be on (Hwy 81). I realized what the problem was and did a U-turn in town and spotted this strange sight on the building and got the camera out.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46517570-L.jpg

Weather broke after Hamilton and I was making good time so I decided to take Hwy 965 south of LLano. Hwy 965 runs almost paralell to Hwy 16 from Llano to Fredericksburg. I've missed it twice on my other trips only now I was armed with a GPS. 965 takes you past "Enchanted Rock" whatever the heck that is. Here is HWY 965. Great road.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46517657-L.jpg

Heading on 965 that dome hill ahead is Enchanted Rock.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46576329-L.jpg

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46556557-L.jpg

Here's is a closer shot. Those white speckled things are people walking to the top. This is huge, but my camera makes mountains look small.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46517745-M.jpg

Continue on next post.

[RTRandy]

Anyhow. Made it to Kerrville and stayed once again at the Inn of the Hills. This is a shot of the hotel from a prior trip. We like this place a lot!! The rooms are great and the doors face the parking lot. Park right in front of your room. This place is often used for bike rallies.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46576086-L.jpg

After midnight it poured all night along with serious thunder. I was heading to Alpine in the morning by way of Del Rio and had no idea how long it would take so i was planning an early start. However at 8:30 it was still raining though light. The good news is it was totally clear to the west. The bad news is, if you know the Hill Country, some of the roads will flood from rains so I decided to skirt my favorite roads. Here's a springtime shot of Hwy 337 in April after much rain. Once they flood and if you're not on a GS, you pretty much have to turn around and I couldn't chance it.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46576174-L.jpg

Instead I headed west out of Kerrville on I-10 briefly and picked up Hwy 41 to 377. Hwy 41 was super and I was really booking with not a cloud in the sky. I had a full tank and an empty bladder so bring on the day!

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46517875-L.jpg

Here we are on Hwy 377 heading south.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46517975-L.jpg

North of Del Rio the road surface got unbelievably smooth. Not a ripple.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518045-L.jpg

When you get to Del Rio, you can cross the river into Mexico without a passport so I decided what the heck. One problem I found is the line of cars waiting to cross the check points and the amount of motor oil on the road. I almost lost it when stopped and my left foot went sliding on some 10W-30.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518117-M.jpg

When you get across the bridge, it's another world in the town of Cuidad Acuna. I was told to eat at a turn of the century restaurant called Crosby's, but I couldn't figure out where and how to park. Really charming town
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518203-L.jpg

Continue on next post.

[kbasa]

:thumb

Go Randy!

[RTRandy]

Here we are in downtown Cuidad Acuna. My problem was I didn't know what to put in the parking meters. Paso coins?? Also, my GPS, Valentine, and tank bag can be easily removed and I had no idea about leaving a BMW on the street. I'd like to go back when I have more time since crossing the bridge takes considerable time.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518244-L.jpg

Here we are on Hwy 90 heading west out of Del Rio. I believe it was another 180 miles to Alpine and it was now after 2 pm. Let me tell you about Hwy 90:
If you've ever heard people say riding a motorcycle is the closest thing to feeling like flying over a road, then this road does the trick. UNREAL !! You can really make time on this Highway. I'd call it 90 on 90. Well more like 85 on 90, but you get the picture.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518310-L.jpg

Further along on 90. Awesome!
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518362-L.jpg

I made it to Marathon, Texas with no gas bars indicating and the reserve light blaring.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518539-L.jpg

Marathon has a really nice hotel called the Gage ( about $165 per night ) and I would recommend it if you were hanging out for a few days especially with the wife along, but not to hang your hat for one night. The older building has been restored and has less expensive rooms, but the bathroom is down the hall. . . . I don't think so. The new section has a beautiful pool and the rooms have fireplaces.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519189-L.jpg

No decent rooms in Marathon so I stayed in Alpine at the Ramada which is about 24 miles further west. Here's still Hwy 90 only west of Marathon.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518708-L.jpg

I'm now starving when I arrive in Alpine around 5 pm and ask the guy for a place to eat and he tells me of a four star restaurant called Reata back in town. I decided to stay in my riding gear and head for dinner just 3 miles back into town and had the Rib Eye. Trouble is in these parts, you really want to avoid riding at night due to all the deer and other anamals so I showed up early dressed in my space suit.

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46518918-L.jpg

This ain't no sushi bar in Beverly hills my friend.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519075-L.jpg

Still daylight when I went In , but here we are after dinner outside.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519138-L.jpg

[RTRandy]

Sunday morning in Alpine now heading back to Marathon. I try to collect photos of old movie theaters when I come across them. This one is being used to store furniture.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519237-L.jpg

From Marathon there's only Hwy 385 to get into the Big Bend park. It's like a hundred miles to get to Big Bend from Marathon, but who's counting.http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519290-L.jpg

You gotta trust me on this, but when you try and capture the size of a mountain or open range with a small camera, it just don't work, but it's unreal out there in Big Bend land.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519336-L.jpg
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519504-L.jpg
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46565748-L.jpg
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46568631-L.jpg

More coming

[username]

excellent.

:lurk

[RTRandy]

Stopped for gas in the park and came across these characters on dirt bikes.
I'm kicking myself for not taking a shot of the guy behind me on his KLR. He could not have put another thing on that bike. He had the Garmon 376 which comes with satellite radio and weather radar maps. These guys were having a blast.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519437-L.jpg

If you like riding dirt, there's plenty of alternate roads in the park. It's enough to give a guy like me a bad case of GS envy. Couldda used one that day.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519608-L.jpg

Heading out the park on Hwy 118 towards Study Butte, Texas. Pronounced:
Stoody Butte.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46570433-L.jpg

Finally out the west side of the park on Hwy 118 which will take you back to Alpine, or better yet, continue west on Highway 170. This is either Study Butte or Terlingua, I can't remember, but all these towns look like this down there.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46568791-L.jpg

Now finally Highway 170 from the west side of the park to Presidio. Highway 170 runs along the Rio Grand on the border and is worth the trip if you like a challanging twisting road. I say challenging for a few reasons. It's got in my opinion a crappy rhythm and the signs just don't seem to be right. You go up a super steep hill and you can't assume the road goes straight. You'll be going up hill in a right hander and at the crest, it will suddenly dive left. Wild!
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519920-L.jpg

The other weird thing is like you can get up to 60 mph in the straight and the turn will require 20 mph. Just be careful . It's like track day on this road and I pity the guys on the Japanese bikes trying for a speed record. It's a great road, don't get me wrong, but it requires attention for sure. Plus it was super windy that day.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519958-L.jpg

Here's another weird thing: You know how your map software says United States? Well let me tell you, they don't give you so much as a foot outside the US. When you ride on this road with a GPS the left side of the road on your screen is blank white. Reminds of that SBC internet ad where the guy tells his wife that he's reached the end if the internet. Cool!!

Finally in Presidio and hungry again. Ate here and had the eggs with jalapenos, onions, and tomatoes which came with refried beans. The hot sauce was the hottest I've ever had and believe me, living in Texas for 36 years, I know my way around hot sauce. For a moment, I actually thought they serve this to the unsuspecting Gringo in the riding suit as a joke.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519990-L.jpg

Winds picked up to 60 mph and a cold front was moving in fast. I rode to Marfa in the most servere cross winds I have ever experienced. Timble weed was flying and I had to slow it down and hold on tight. It was getting super cold so I gasssed up in Marfa and added more layers in the Exxon mens room. Spotted another old theater in Marfa and had to add it to the collection. This one is now a graphic art studio .
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46574280-L.jpg


Made it to Midland that evening and spent the night. Super cold and windy. From there it was I-20 all the way to Dallas on Monday.
Trust me, there's nothing to talk about or show for a ride in the big slab.

Total trip 1485 miles in four days.

Special thanks to Kbasa for showing me how to post multiple photos on the forum.

[lorazepam]

Dang Randy, excellent report and pictures!! Had 5 inches of snow and a high of 18 on Friday after thanksgiving. You guys have sucky summers, but great winters!!

[SNC1923]

Great pics and report. Thanks for having us along!

[SHawn_P]

That's a great write up Randy - pics were fantastic!

I have been wanting for 2 years to make a spring run done to Big Bend and hit Alpine, Presidio, Marfa, etc... Now you made me want to go that much more!!!

Thanks again for sharing...

[kbasa]

Special thanks to Kbasa for showing me how to post multiple photos on the forum.

It was totally my pleasure, man.

Pictures really help us see what riding is like in other parts of the country. Text is good, but, IMHO, pictures really make it come alive.

[Hotspice]

Great ride report Randy.. Looks like another place I'll have to add to my list of future destinations..

[dancogan]

Great ride report. I've always heard about the Hill Country, but never seen many pictures of it. Thanks for posting. Is this also the area famous for its spring wildflowers?

[RebeccaV]

Nice report. Big Bend looks beautiful. Maybe 06 will be my year to get down there.

[Belg]

I'm with you.. that looks like some BEAUTIFUL country...

[username]

randy - did you EAT on this trip? ;)

[RTRandy]

Great ride report. I've always heard about the Hill Country, but never seen many pictures of it. Thanks for posting. Is this also the area famous for its spring wildflowers?

Many years ago, I would say back in the late sixty's or early seventies, Lady Bird Johnson had this idea to plant wild flowers along many of the Texas roads and highways and particularly Blue Bonnets were planted. Can't remember who funded the project, but a lot of money was put into it. The Blue Bonnet is our state flower and it is illegal to take, cut or mow them. At the time I thought she was nuts, but today we have these incredible fields of Blue Bonnets all along the Texas highways in the month of April. When you see Blue Bonnets, you know spring is well on the way.

They are only around for about two or three weeks and peak around the second or third week in April, hence all the bike rallies around then. Consequently, you will pass a sea of these deep blue flowers for miles along a stretch of road and when traveling at speed, it's like your floating through flowers. There are yellow and white flowers as well, though I don't know what they are.

If you get to the Hill Country, you want to ride the "Three Three's" : Hwy 337, 335 and 336. Hwy 337 from Medina to Camp Wood is the favorite.

[B2BWYLD]

.....RT...thanks for the ride....have never been in those areas of our

USA......great shots.......Old Movie theatres are so cool... :thumb

[BradfordBenn]

Nice ride and report!!!

[BMWBeauty]

Fantastic Pics And Report Randy.....Thanks For Sharing.... ;)

[RTRandy]

randy - did you EAT on this trip? ;)

I failed to mention the all you can eat, $15.95, Friday night seafood buffet at the Inn at the Hills Hotel. If you're there on a Saturday night, it's the Prime Rib special.

This is from my April Trip, but a very popular stop for those traveling to the Hill Country. This is Cooper's BBQ in Llano which is about 45 minutes north of Fredricksburg just west of Hwy 16. For my next report, I can discuss the culenary choices available at the gas station convenience stores. :eat

http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46658031-L.jpg

[Montana]

Vicarious riding: I almost leaned into the curves on some of those photos. Thanks, Randy!

[RTRandy]

Vicarious riding: I almost leaned into the curves on some of those photos. Thanks, Randy!

I think you're patronizing me. We both know these roads have nothing on the ones you've sent me riding on in your state. Can't wait to get back.

[Visian]

If you like riding dirt, there's plenty of alternate roads in the park. It's enough to give a guy like me a bad case of GS envy. Couldda used one that day.
http://rpscott.smugmug.com/photos/46519608-L.jpg

:nod

Great report, Randy. You really captured the feeling of Big Bend.

Man, I need to go back there and spend *at least* a week....

http://www.visian.nu/images/gspd_plus.jpg

Ian