Epilogue:
Now that my digestive tract has survived all of the beef and pork consumed, my brain can finally start thinking about what made this trip special.
The weather was perfect and the 941.9 miles of roads outstanding. The food was obviously great and the hotel accommodations (Best Western Sunday House in Kerrville) was adequate. It was my second long distance solo ride. Better than my first, but I still much prefer to have my bride of nearly 37 years along (she was doing her annual vacation with her sisters).
I didn't post about the people I met along the way, but they are what really made the trip special.
Like the guy from Denton, TX riding a BMW adventure bike. The thing was a little beaten-up looking and had stickers from where he had ridden all over the world. Like his trip(s) to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (yes, multiple). And from Texas down to the tip of Latin America. And from China across Russia into Eastern Europe. And all around New Zealand and South Africa. He was not a wealthy man, just determined with a great sense of adventure. He'd never been out of Texas until 2002.
Or the fun couple from Angleton, TX on the GoldWing who are relatively new to motorcycling (started in 2015). They own a small logistics company and work too much, but play hard too. With retirement on the horizon, they find motorcycling together a great way to put life into perspective.
Or John, a recently retired pastor from San Antonio who lost his wife to cancer a year ago. He doesn't hesitate to jump on his 2008 Ultra Classic and ride to Arizona or Las Vegas to visit (or help) friends. At 63, he's full of life and healthy. He's still mad at God for taking his wife, but understands there is a higher power at work and is finally ready to share life with someone again...but she has to ride!
And there were countless others who shared a brief word or lustful glance at Dusty.
I made a conscious effort to slow down on this ride. Not speed, but pace. To take pics...to really see the trip, not just push through it. I also made it a point to talk to people, whether it was at a rest stop, while eating, or sitting around the pool at the end of the day, or just holding a door open for someone and striking up a light conversation. And out of respect for the help JCZ has given in planning an upcoming Northern California tour, to complete the ride report. It didn't happen if you don't write the ride report. It was very wise advice.
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Topic: Texas BBQ Tour 2017 (Read 7426 times)