So it was a simple plan that we had massaged during the work week. Go out and ride the bikes. Have fun. See cool stuff. As we approached the weekend, the weather man on the news wasn't making it sound like it was as good of a plan as we had planned it to be plan. But we were on a mission and we had things to do. When we woke up on Saturday, our plan got blown out of the water by Mother Nature. The temps were dropping way below where I knew the wife would be comfortable. But we put our heads together and realized that the state parks out to the east were still relatively warm, well over 60 degrees anyway. The only hitch was that rain was expected that direction in the afternoon. But it was a chance and thats all we needed. The metroplex was already too cold and rain was imminent. So we loaded up and headed east. Just as we pulled into the Tyler area, the skies opened up. A few quick minutes of shuffling maps, weather apps, and the memory of passing a sign for the Lake Tawakoni state park on the highway a few miles back, and we now had a new plan. As we headed back to the west, the temps started dropping quickly. But by the time we got into the area, it was still rideable. We unpacked the bikes and all of our gear. We got suited up, and off we went. It was chilly for sure, but we made the best of it. The wind blowing off of the lake was fierce, but as we made our way retreating from the water's edge and back into the woods, we were at least sheltered from the howling cold blasts. The rain kicked up and started falling from the heavens, but luckily the pine canopy kept the majority of the sky's tears off of us. These were new trails that we hadn't explored previously. The only major hiccup that we encountered were tree stumps that weren't exactly cut close to the ground in the middle of the trails. So a turn here and there resulted in us shouting warnings to one another. All in all, a blast was had. But after about an hour out in the chill, I knew the bride's fingers would soon be in trouble and too cold. Not to mention, by now the trails were getting wet and it was time to retreat before damage and ruts ensued. So back to the van we headed!
After packing the rides up and cleaning the bits and pieces of the trail from our gear, we set off in search of some warmth and nourishment worthy of the hill climbing we had just completed. As always, we chose a route back to civilization off of the beaten path. Those routes always yield cool finds like barns adorned with Texas flags and counting contests set out to answer the age old question of "who has the most broken down cars in their front yard?"
Once we made it back to town, we stumbled across the coolest little pizza joint set next to a truck stop and connected to a sports bar that you could ever hope to find out in the hills of east Texas. A couple bizarre topping pizzas and a few beers later we were all ready for a nap, and when you have a house on wheels, and the 'rain drops keep falling on your head,' theres no better place for a cat nap but the closest truck stop parking lot you can find. A quick pitstop in the aforementioned truck stop, looking to find a nail file and dog treats and we were set for the ride back to home, and work, and our work week lives. But its all good. It just gives us another 4 or 5 days to come up with a plan for the next weekend.
Some of the most fun I have on these little day trips are all of the interesting little detours, twists and turns we end up taking on a whim. Some of things we come across are amazing. Things you would never image coming across.
I learned early on in our adventures, if you see something and you think that would make an awesome picture, stop and take it. During our first few trips I would think to grab a shot of something and pass on it. Then for hours and miles it would eat at me, completely frustrated that I didn't stop to grab the shot. So now, if I think it would make a good shot, I just stop and take it. No regrets.
