My ride to Texarkana was uneventful. The sun was out and the temperature was rising, but I did have my eye on a cloud line that was taking definition as I approached highway 82 heading west about 20 miles south of Texarkana. In fact that cloud bank was my final factor for going this route. I figured that by the time I made highway 380 and cut across through Denton, to Decatur, TX the storms would have had enough to time to build in the heat of the day and the riding would be rough. I later was glad of this decision, because I heard reports of large hail that I probably would have hit had I taken that path.
Highway 82 is a nice road with several small towns (all of which have traffic cameras on the red lights now) that are fairly quaint. Even at 70 miles an hour, it does take some time to make your way across towards Wichita Falls, and there are a few trucks. Outside of Dekalb, I hit rain and ended up putting my rain suit and booties again. I had learned the hard way about wet feet the day before. A nice elderly gentleman asked me if I needed anything as he headed out of the road I was parked on. Seems like everyone is nice to me on this bike…hmm do I look weak or am I scary?
The rain continued at a heavy pace for many miles, and my helmet fogged up, but I learned that if I lowered it about ¾ of the way and pushed my sun glasses down to block the water as it came up under it, I could survive. I made it through Paris and filled up in Bells, TX. The lady running the register commented about my bottled water purchase, “looks like you might have had enough water already!” She was nice enough, and asked if the rain suit actually worked and of course commented about how nice my bike looked. I debated on taking my rain suit off, but a clap of thunder convinced me other wise… this trip was definitely a wet one!
By the time I reached Gainesville, it was warming up and I debated taking off the rain suit again. I realized that I was behind schedule by at least 2 hours now. I need to explain my idea of a schedule, which usually means I have an idea what time I will arrive somewhere. I had figured to make Henrietta by 4:00 at the latest, spend a few minutes with a good friend of mine and then proceed south on highway 148 to my parents house. At around 4:00 clock I went thru Gainesville and realized that I probably wouldn’t make it to Henrietta in time to catch him before he left work. I am always hesitant to drive many of these roads at much over the speed limit since I grew up around these parts. It always used to seem that I would see the boys in the black and white cars every time I throttled up. Today, a nice fellow with Hawaiian (in Texas?) license plates decided that 90 mph was in order so I let him lead the way. I made Nocona by 5:00 and at 5:30 I pulled up in front of my friend’s place of business.
One of the employees/owners had just sold his standard Valk and bought a Vulcan. I wonder why he downgraded, but we all have our motives! I spent a few minutes there and took off the rain suit thinking that the hot sun was finally going to keep me company on the remaining 27 miles of my trip. I ended up donning it again as I filled up with gas and viewed the clouds that had moved in my path. The radio was blaring tornado warnings about 50 miles west, and I remembered again how I used to love being around that type of weather…but not on my motorcycle…
I did not get wet, but the trip was a fast one once I got away from town. I hit a bird as he took off from the road and wondered about my radiator…but not a scratch. The last two miles of gravel road was not bad, but I thought “I do have more gas in the tank.” However, Texas Barbecue on Saturday and a fish fry on Friday night reminded me of one of the reasons I come home. I need real food!!! Besides my Big Bend trip awaited me on Monday. A little over 500 miles that day and even with the rain, I consider riding the bike the best fun I could have without having to ‘splain myself or hiring a lawyer… (read more...)
|