Motorcycle Camping Trip

The past Veteran's Day weekend, I loaded up the motorcycle to ride the Texas Hill Country Backcountry Discovery Route. It is a 500+ mile loop through some pretty remote parts of Texas. The first day, I rode with a friend from work. We completed the first leg by noon, so we grabbed lunch in Leakey and then rode the Three Twisted Sisters. Those roads are paved but twisty with lots of ups and downs like a rollercoaster.

We got back to Leakey, and then he had to head home while I went to my campsite (above). The next day I was solo, and it was the most remote section with multiple river crossings and bump gates to navigate. You have to get your tire against the bump gate, give it some quick gas, let off the gas to allow the gate to swing ahead of you, then swerve to get out of the way. It worked except for one very heavy gate - I had to hop off the bike and tie the gate back to get the bike through it. I ended up in Junction, where Catherine joined me for a hotel night.

Next morning was cold - there was frost on the ground! Catherine and I shared a breakfast, then I hit the road. It was primarily high country ranch land that I rode through, with lots of little (tiny) villages that were primarily a church and a post office. I got to Colorado Bend State Park where I camped for the night. I brought in left overs from lunch to eat for dinner, and just waited for the stars to come out. I was not disappointed!

The final day I got rolling by about 8am. This section had a couple of long and deep stretches of sand, which is quite squirrely on the bike. I made it through no problem, eventually making my way to Fredericksburg for lunch, and then finished out by about 2 pm. That was after a puncture to my rear tire about 1-2 miles from the end of the route. 15 minutes to pull the nail, plug the hole, inflate the tire, and I was on my way.

I got home in time for dinner and got everything unloaded. This weekend was a brew weekend - Belgian Dubbel. Cheers!

Marc

Mission Espada

With Catherine in Florida, picking up Leah to get her to college, I had the weekend to myself. I had lunch out yesterday at a greek restaurant which was underwhelming for the price. I thought about checking out the Missions for sunset, but decided against it.

So I got up this morning in time for sunrise (and to beat the church crowd - this is an active parish community) and had the place to myself.

Cheers,

Marc

Falls Creek Falls

I visited Falls Creek Falls the day before, but it is a popular swimming hole - for good reason!

I decided I would come back in the morning, which was a great decision. I had the place to myself for 30+ minutes. I brought my water shoes, so I was able to enjoy the cool water, too.

The waterfall is a short, 15-minute walk along the lakeshore at Lake Catherine State Park.

Cheers,

Marc

On Our Way

Well, we are on the road once more.

Ian has started welding school and is still in Pennsylvania. Catherine and Leah are in Florida, so Leah can have a consistent time of the day to take her online courses (Iowa State University) during our move. I am on my way to San Antonio.

Along the way we stopped to see Ian; Dad and Pam were able to come spend part of a day with us. While I continued west, Catherine and Leah headed south to Florida via the auto train.

I stopped to see my Mom and Chuck in Ohio, with a short visits to my brothers and an old friend. It was a short stay - onward to Cumberland Falls State Park.

There was no moonbow because of rain and clouds, but I still had a nice time. I got up to see the sunrise and make the short hike (less than a mile) to Eagle Falls, then loaded the van and made my way to Memphis.

I had two nights in Memphis, which was enough for me to do laundry, check out a brewery, and hang some photos that were Christina's Christmas gift this past year.

I took the back roads through Arkansas, and realized in short order that last year's impression of terrible drivers was not wrong...

Be that as it may, I made it to Hot Springs National Park on Father's Day, and adjusted my schedule to avoid the Gatlinburg of Arkansas as much as possible.

I got out to see a couple of cool waterfalls, and filled my thermos with natural spring water from the park. All in all, not too shabby of a trip - just wish the rest of the family were here to enjoy it, too.

Cheers,

Marc

Smokies!

 Catherine, the kids, and I are on a short holiday from the War College. We headed down to Knoxville to check out the area out. Since we ended up so close to the west end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we took some time to go revisit the Cades Cove area - though this was a first for the kids.

I made sure to stop at the waterfall just off the road. We had the place all to ourselves, which was very nice.

The kids and I scrambled down to enjoy the little river and get some selfies.

Leah helped get this one of Ian and I.

From there we went into Cades Cove and drove the loop, making a couple of stops along the way. 

We even saw a bear (and some turkeys - but the bear was way cooler).

Cheers,

Marc

Almost missed this one!

I did not set my alarm, but woke up right at sunrise this morning. The weather forecast was for rain, so I was taking my time.

When I finally got dressed I decided to look out the window through the blinds, and lo and behold, we were having a beautiful sunrise. So I threw my camera stuff together and hustled to this spot. I missed most of the color, but still ended up getting a nice photo.

Cheers,

Marc

Carolina Beach get-away

Catherine and I snuck down to Carolina Beach, NC for the long Valentine's / President's Day weekend. She has a friend who owns a rental less than a block from the beach.

While it was a bit chilly in the wind before the sun came up, it has warmed up nicely!

Edit - I took some afternoon photos at low tide, thought I'd share them here.

These are both from the other side of the pier (top/first photo).

Cheers,

Marc

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! We wish you a blessed and joyous 2025.

Nothing terribly new here, just some photos of my favorite people.

We will part ways this summer as Ian pursues his welding training and Leah heads to college...all while Marc and Catherine head to Texas (again) - which is simultaneously scary and exciting.

Be well,

Marc