ST: Day 26

Daily Miles: 69.7

Total Miles: 1471.3

Max: 30.5

Avg: 12.1

Time on the Bike: 05:45:23

Morning came quickly and my 6:00 AM alarm startled me from my sleep. I fired up the stove and prepared some oatmeal and hot chocolate, the breakfast of champions, or at the very least, the breakfast of quick energy. 

I was out riding just before 7:30. I started out heading slightly towards the east, and the sun beamed me in the face, blinding me from the road ahead. I was off route and needed to find my way back, so I followed some low key farming backroads that Google Maps suggested. They were pretty swell an an hour later I was in the small town of Burton. 

I stopped in at the only convenience store/ restaurant in town. A few locals were gathered around a table drinking coffee. Their faces and hands were like leather. Years upon years of working outside on the ranch takes its toll on you eventually. They looked at me and smiled and asked how my ride was going.

“It’s going well,” I said. 

“Where’d you come from?” A man in a black cowboy hat asked. 

“Started in Florida,” I replied. “Heading to California.”

“I’d be damned.” Everyone at the table smiled at me with wide eyes and nodding heads. 

“Are you doing it for a cause?” 

“No sir, just on vacation.”

They nodded again, taking it in my answer.  

“Be safe out there.”

I waved goodbye after getting some coffee and then headed west again. The terrain was hilly as it was yesterday, but the hills were steeper and longer, however possible that may be. I passed through a small town called Round Top. It must be some antique paradise, because all I saw for miles were big barns and metal buildings advertising they had antiques for sale. Row upon row of people trying to get rid of all their stuff to other people. Stuff from here going to over there. 

At one point there was a large personal storage facility. Row upon row of small units hiding whatever antique treasures lay within them. The name of the facility was called “ex•cess”. It got that right. 

I’m at Buescher State Park tonight, a little less that 50 miles from Austin. I paid again forncamping but at least they had good showers so I actually felt like I got something out of the deal. 

It’s just me and this other older couple here. They came over and talked to me for a little bit and invited me over to their campfire later. They are from Houston but didn’t have any accents. I’ll stop over soon but won’t stay long. I’m too tired tonight to be good company.