It’s a gorgeous start to the day. Low 70’s and not a cloud in the sky. I get on the road late, I’ve got plenty of time to get home and the dealerships close by don’t open until 9:00. I’ve got a total of five stops planned for the day, one tour stop and four dealerships.
Traffic isn’t bad heading out and it’s just a few minutes until we hit the first dealership, Caliente Harley-Davidson. I run in for my chips and have a look at the bikes. One catches my eye. It’s not clean so is obviously a recent addition. It’s got a nice custom paint job and alligator seat. A salesman approaches, which is normal, and proceeds to try to sell it to me. It’s a quick, hard no from me. Just looking. He proceeds to show me photos from his travels once he learns of mine. I don’t mind it, I enjoy sharing stories.
Traffic picks up as we get back on the road. Our next stop is just about 20 miles away and is Teddy Morse’s Cowboy Harley-Davidson Alamo City. Another quick run in for chips, a quick look at the bikes and off again to the next one, yet another 20 miles down the road. The Gruene Harley-Davidson is another 20 miles down the road in New Braunfels. Another quick trip in before heading to our last tour stop for this trip.
Our last tour stop is in Wimberley and the route takes us off the interstate and onto some two lane roads that twist through the Texas back country. The road continues to narrow as we near Old Baldy Park, eventually turning into a road so narrow that it’s barely wide enough for one vehicle.
There doesn’t appear to be much to Old Baldy park. Just a bunch of stairs leading up to the top of the hill. I’m not climbing them though, my legs and butt are sore and the heat is getting to it’s max for the day. Leaving out is the same one lane road until getting to slow moving two-lane that creeps back to the interstate. Traffic isn’t bad getting to the last stop for the day, which is Teddy Morse’s Harley-Davidson Austin.
The Austin dealership is really nice. There’s a second level where they park additional bikes. There’s a few round tables with chairs. The chairs are wooden and the center of the back rests are cut into the shape of the Harley shield. Out front on poles is a schooner wagon led by four Harley’s.
Lunch is at a place called the Hideaway. Just a turkey BLT as there’s not much else on the menu. It’s decent but not my best choice of food stops this trip. Home is our next stop. It’s just over an hour away. Traffic is very heavy getting through Austin and stays that way all the way into Jarrell. Home is close now as traffic thins out.
It’s a bit of a weird feeling coming in from the south. I can’t remember the last time I did, if ever. I finally make it home. Only the wife and my oldest are home, the other two have yet to get out of school.
It’s been a a good trip. We caught a good bit of rain and chilly weather but overall I had a great time out on the road. Laurelin has been unpacked and is now nestled in her spot in the garage. I will soon be nestled in my spot in the bed. I’ve got to return to work in the morning.
By my count I’ve got 37 regular tour stops made. They still have to get validated by the tour director, but assuming they are leaves me with a few day trips to complete the 50. I may make some posts of those runs, if they happen. We’ll see.
The plan for next year will soon start to form. I can say that it won’t be a Texas tour again. It’s fun, but I want to see more of the country. Maybe a repeat run into Florida. Again, we’ll see.
Thank you for joining me on this year’s trip. I appreciate every one of you who shares the road with me.
The Motorcycle Diaries of an Easy Rider 