| Page 12 Day54 - Friday 3-8-02 - Mileage today 39.8 - Climbed today 380' NEW WHEEL We have found it increasingly more difficult to find places to camp in the more populated areas. We had to stay close to Port Lavaca because I was expecting a new wheel. We tried to stay in the city park however; the city will not allow us to. We try numerous RV parks and they don’t allow tent camping. We wanted to stay close to the post office so Myron got a motel for us. I slept great. I have been having allergy problems. Sleeping inside helped. We had breakfast at a hangout for the local farmers. We noticed that it is common for the men to congregate for coffee and breakfast. The Wagon Train Restaurant was complete with old wagon wheels hanging from the ceiling as lights and an old waitress in her upper 60's early 70's. Sweet ‘ol thing, she handled the crowd of customers with all the finesse and grace of 4 younger waitresses. The wagon train is our kind of place. After breakfast we went to the post office and picked up my new wheel. I had a small problem with my Rohloff speed hub. I called Thomas at Rohloff and he immediately built a new wheel using a new hub. He sent it out next day as promised. (See special thanks for details). We went back to the room to put it on my bike. Packed up and we were on our way. We didn’t leave town until about 1:30 so; we didn’t get many miles in especially with the wind. We did however make it to Palacios. Once again we weren’t aloud to camp in the park and we tried several other options. Our determination and patience paid off, read tomorrow for details. Special Thanks I would like to thank Thomas at Rohloff speed hubs. I developed a problem leak in my hub and without hesitation Thomas sent a new hub complete with a new wheel and tire. It was sent overnight and it was waiting for me just as promised. I'm very impressed with the quality of service. I haven’t had any more problems. The new hub fixed everything. If anybody is interested in Rohloff products you can reach them at 510-232-4833 or go to our friends on our website and click on Rohloff. Thank you, for your prompt professional service. - Jim Day 55 - Sat 3-9-02 - Mileage today 21.4 - Climbed today less than 500' TEXAS BAPTIST ENCAMPMENT We were running out of options for a place to camp last night, when we were told of a Baptist camp just a few blocks away. We called just as Jeannie was closing the office for the day. Jeannie was kind and said she would wait for us. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed. Not long after we got there We were asked if we would join them for dinner. At dinner we met Rob. Rob is the guest services coordinator. Rob asked if we would like to sleep in a dorm room. As it turns out we had the room all to ourselves. We asked once again to join them for breakfast in the morning. Myron and I got a chance to meet several really nice people during our short but wonderful stay there.(see special thanks for details on the encampment). We left camp at about 9:30 in foggy but calm warm conditions. Not more than 20 minutes out of town a big wind hit without warning and within 4 to 5 seconds the temperature dropped about 10 degrees. Rain soon followed. Shortly after the rain started I got a flat! . (Maybe we should have stayed one more day at the Baptist camp). The wind today slowed our progress to less them 5mph. We did spend over an hour at the south Texas nuclear power plant. We got to see a film on how power is generated and wonder thru the visitor’s center. When we arrived a sweet older lady met us, I'm sorry to say I couldn’t remember her name. But, she looked at us and asked if we would like some coffee. She even brewed a fresh pot for us. We are continually amazed at the kindness and hospitality we are given. We are camped in a county park on the Colorado River and hwy 521. The river is not the same one we all think of but we were sure happy to see that we were aloud to camp there Day 56 - Sun. 3-10-02 - Miles today 49.6 - Climbed today 660' Low and slow, fighting the wind once again. Myron and I are both tired. We will be in Galveston tomorrow. We will stay there and rest for a few days and celebrate his birthday. We rode a slow steady pace today stopping for about 5 minutes every hour. We found a rest stop about 5 miles north of Freeport, we set up camp there. A friendly old lady came by to fed the stray cats as she always does about this time everyday and told us where to find groceries and the way to Galveston Island. This good-hearted ‘ol gal was telling us about the cats and dogs she cares for. She is on a fixed income, which was apparent by her dress and she just got a bill from the vet for over 600 dollars for a cat that they kept for a week before they put it down. 600 dollars is her monthly income. The vet didn’t tell her that the cat would probably die anyway. Day 57 - Monday 3-11-02 - miles today 53.2 - climbed today 820' BAD INFORMATION In search of groceries and a cafe we were given bad or incomplete info. We only had 5 miles to Freeport to get groceries, but somehow we didn’t get there. We found a Texaco station and once again asked about cafe and groceries in the next town, once again, bad info. We must have sucker written on our foreheads. After 20 miles we found first and only breakfast. We didn’t find groceries until Galveston; I'm out of food. But tomorrow is another day. We finally got to Galveston State Beach where we planned to camp. When we got there they wanted 21 dollars to camp. I explained that I called yesterday told the person that there are two of us cycling and that we need a place to camp, how much for two people with two tents. She told me 6 dollars. Now they want 21. The 6 dollars was just to enter the gate there is another 15 to camp. Once again bad or incomplete info. We asked the ranger where we could camp, she said just up the road. Just up the road is 7 miles.(in the rain). ! It is spring break in Galveston, every thing is booked, we may have to go towards Huston to find a room for a couple of days. Day 58 - Tue. 3-12-02 - mileage today 10 - climbed 0 We woke up today to a beautiful clear warm day on the gulf. We are in Galveston for a few days, so we spent a few hours looking for a room and a car. We had a wonderful relaxing day sitting at an outside cafe with our new friend Kevin. Kevin is a fellow tourist. He is on his way to Belize. We sat people watching and comparing notes. It was so nice to relax and kill time, I really miss that. |
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