Date(s): Oct. 21, 1999
Day: Thursday
From: Camp Wood, TX
To: Vanderpool, TX
Lodging: Lost Maple State Natural Area
Segment Mileage: 49.9
Cumulative Mileage:
Actual Riding Time: 4:20
Average Speed: 11.4
Weather: Mild, sunny
Temp: 70's
Today was another day of climbing through the Texas hill country. I wanted to get to camp early to do laundry, so I was packed and ready to leave at 8, right after Janet, Lynne, and Bob left. I passed them on the way to Leakey, and realized that I wouldn't be able to rush to camp as we had planned to meet at the store in Leakey to get some groceries, and to decide whether or not to get the canned goods in Vanderpool. That way we wouldn't have to haul them 18 miles to camp. I got into Leakey around 10:30 and mailed a few things home at the brand new post office, then went to the library to find some email addresses and check out this site, glad to see that Kerie had posted yesterday's report already. Then I checked out the town, including the Road Kill Cafe, and the Real American Newspaper with a special parking spot for Rush Limbaugh fans only.
I decided to call ahead to the Vanderpool, and found that they had the canned beans that Cyndi and Oliver needed for dinner (although we later found out that the beans weren't vegetarian). Logistics on this trip can get complicated, especially when stores are not located near the camp and we need to meet at a store on the way.
It's a beautiful day for riding, cool, sunny and a slight breeze, and the hill country is a very pretty area. The climb out of Leakey was a 7% grade, another difficult climb. I continued to see Monarchs migrating south, and picked up one that had been hit by a car, hoping to draw it later.
The downhill to Vanderpool was steep and straight, the best kind, and I hit 45mph, looking for any critters in the road on the descent. The plan was for me to carry the produce that Cyndi bought in Leakey and check out the camgrounds. Unfortunately the first of two, Campland, was closed so I continued on to the Lost Maples Recreation area. It was filled also. I must have looked tired, as the nice lady at the desk said she would check to see if we could camp in the picnic area. Luckily the supervisor agreed, as long as we didn't set up until the day users were gone. There are showers as well. If I'm lucky I'll be able to wash some clothes for tomorrow.
Later, 8:20pm: This site has turned out to be a good one. We waited until 6pm to put up our tents, where there is a huge grassy area, water, and our own bathrooms. It's nice for a change to be away from other campers, even our own, so I'm off to the side enjoying the quiet. The brightest light around is the nearly full moon, and I can hear the creek below the site. Bcause there were no vegetarian beans at the store, Cyndi and Oliver had to improvise a dinner of pasta, alfredo sauce and vegetables that turned out well.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a very scenic ride, through more hill country, to Comfort, a ride of 64 miles. I hope to visit the Cowboy Artists museum in Kerrville.
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