Day Thirteen – Woke up to more wind this morning. Setting up my tent last night was a bit of a chore. Actually had to use the stakes for the first time. Taking my tent down was just as difficult. Got everything loaded back up and headed east to the Texas border, less than ten miles.
Finally back in my home state but the wind kept up the entire day. Headed towards Amarillo before cutting south. The scenery was a welcome sight. Farmland and Texas prairies. I sight I haven’t seen in nearly two weeks. More turbines and dozens of pumps pumping who knows what, could be oil or maybe water. Aside from the wind the day was uneventful. Remember, uneventful is a good thing on a bike.
I ran down I-27 towards my destination for the day. The small town of Happy lies between Amarillo and Lubbock. It was here that my father took this photo. I knew I was coming through here and had to take the opportunity to recreate his photo as best I could. After doubling back I realized this sign no longer exists. But I got a shot of what was available. Back on my southward trek towards Lubbock. In Lubbock I jump off the interstate and onto state highways. Still a ton of wind and a near constant right hand lean.
I finally make it to Colorado City. Coming from this direction gives me a view of the town that I’ve never seen before. It’s bigger than I thought. Not huge but bigger. Stop for supplies for the night, beer and ice, then a couple more miles to my uncle’s place.
When I arrive I am greeted by five dogs, ranging in sizes and all trying to attack the bike. I am also greeted with another warm hug. I will never grow tired of those. We spend the next several hours on the porch. Drinking beer and catching up. We leave to pick up dinner and don’t even touch it until midnight. It’s a nice, comfortable evening and our visiting has superseded any hunger. I hope to see him again soon as I very much enjoy his company, but for now I bid him goodnight and good-bye, he’ll be off to work long before I rise.
Day Fourteen – Up and at ’em around 8:00am. Spent the night in another warm bed. Got moving and loaded up my gear. Was on the road by 9:00am. Compared to most days, this is a short one. Only 260 miles to run today but the longest I’ve had to run yet. My destination today is home, a place I’ve not seen in two weeks.
The sun is shining when I leave Colorado City but is quickly hidden behind a very low cloud cover. I’m on I-20, an interstate I’m familiar with. The clouds hang so low that the tops of the wind turbines are hidden. This cover lasts a good twenty miles until I hit Sweetwater when the sun finally starts to break through. A few more miles east and I get to cut southeast towards home.
The West Texas wind has died down and I’m finding more familiar towns – Brownwood, Goldthwaite and Evant. Then counties – Coryell and Bell. Coming into Gatesville I hit rain again. I stopped to check the weather maps and see it’s a small cell and I’m minutes from running into it. Decided to throw on my rain jacket, I’m so close to home that wet pants won’t bother me.
Good call. Driving through Gatesville leads me to a good downpour that surely would have soaked me. Due to Libby’s size my legs stay mostly dry. After only a few minutes the rain subsides and the road begins to dry. I’m less than 30 miles from home and begin see more familiar sites. The Leon River and back roads I’ve ridden many times. MY back roads.
So here I sit, safe and sound at home in Temple. Time for a shower in my own shower. And I need to shave before I’m allowed back in my own bed. A shave after two weeks without one is well worth it to get to sleep under my own covers again.
I’ve now covered 38 states on a motorcycle. The first 31 with the best riding buddy anyone could ever have. I’ll continue to ride for as long as I can and hopefully one day complete the mission we began together. Giving it up now would be a dishonor to him.
So, until the next adventure, take care. And don’t take any one or any thing for granted. Good night and God bless.
I’ve been everywhere man!
The Motorcycle Diaries of an Easy Rider 