Archive for January, 2014


Christmas Texas Journey – Part 4 Austin, TX

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January 5, 2014

So I had made a full Circle, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, Lockart, San Antonio, and now back to Austin for New Years Party. While I did not see anything exceptional around Galveston or Houston I did happen to stumble over to Lockart on a little BBQ journey. My boss wanted me to check this place out. Black BBQ is the oldest family owned BBQ in Texas. I have a certain penchant for NOT waiting in line outside at restaurants. Considering I had driven an hour out of my way, I decided that I would not honor that rule of my life and to the line went.

ImageSo okay was it worth it. I would have to rate this exceptional BBQ. There is a bit of a story about this line and my meal that I will not go into now but it was an awesome meal. Here is a picture of my Beef Rib and about 4 Baby Backs. Wow.

ImageSo I left Blacks and got into San Antonio. It was packed, I had no idea I was arriving with everyone else going to the Alamo Bowl. I am not a fan of big crowds so this did not excite me much. I have been to the River Walk in San Antonio and while my hotel was right on the River Walk I did not try to work my way through that crowd, I got out of there as early as I could the next morning.

Back in Austin, I was pleased to find excellent weather and since it was two days away from New Years it was pretty quite down town. I was staying right on the lake on the downtown side and could just walk right out my door and be on the trail. So walking was the exercise of choice. Here are some shots of the lake.

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ImageImage I had a great walk around the lake on New Years Eve, did about 9 miles. On New Years day I did 6 miles and since those are entirely different muscles that I use biking, I drove home on New Years day after my walk and could barely get out of my car when I got home. A little sore would be an understatement. Took me three days to recover to get back on the trail. One of my goals of 2014 is to diversify my exercise routine. Walking and Biking seem to be the ticket. Now I just need to repair my spoke on my bike.

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Christmas Texas Journey – Part 3

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ImageI took a drive over to the USS Lexington and did a walk about. It was great fun seeing all the technology and layout of the aircraft carrier. This is going to be more photo’s then dialog. Having lived on a boat, I know small spaces but I am not sure I would enjoy being trapped in the bowels of some beast like this.

ImageImageImageImageS LImageImage I found it amazing how old this technology was and they were out sailing around the planet on this monster using a compass and sextant. This surely show my reliance on GPS technology, sad actually.

 

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Christmas Texas Journey – Part 2

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So my next step along the way was down to Corpus Christi. When I had orginally started planning this vacation I wanted to go somewhere warmer then where I was (Dallas). I thought Florida was the ticket but after some thought, I figured I could at least get to a place where I could ride and also drive if I headed down south from where I lived. The bonus was that I could explore my new home state and that held some intrigue to me. So rather then use my “United Miles” for airfare, I used them to stay in reasonable to very nice hotels.

So I get down to Corpus and into a Candlewood Suites, wanted a refer and kitchen. I was a little further from where I though I wanted to ride but I did not realize that at the time. Padre Island was wonderful and quite the gem. While I thought I would be road riding, I did not realize the beach would be so solidly packed that even my skinny tires would have no issues.

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I had two days of great riding down in Corpus, unfortunately on the third day I broke a spoke. I continued on for another half hour on a wobbly back tire but that put a damper on the riding. I really did not have a lot of time to ride as my journey continue but I am still a little frustrated that I Keep popping my rear spokes on a regular basis (maybe someone needs to loose some weight). 

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Christmas Break Southern Texas Journey – Part 1 Austin

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Took off from Dallas on the 21st of December heading south. It was a bit of a bear getting out of Dallas as the traffic was full of people taking off for the Christmas break. A few wrecks later I finally cleared the Metroplex. As the freeway opened up, I set the cruse control to 80 and headed for Austin. Traveling with me was my Cannondale CAADX, my new Ninja Blender, and cooler with fresh vegs in it. Bring on Texas.

Bike needed a rest

Bike needed a rest

Top of the ride at Shoal Creek

Top of the ride at Shoal Creek

I holed up in Downtown Austin, after getting settled wondered down to one of my favorite hangouts in Austin, The Moonshine. Had an awesome meal (the pork chop is excellent) and called it a night. I rode the around the lake the on Sunday and decided I needed a bit more of a ride so I headed up the Shoal Creek Trail. Great ride up had a blast. The weather was cool but not cold, great dry ride with sunny sky’s. On the way down I decided to take a different route as the trail is on both sides of the creek or so I thought (got lost actually). I came to a place where the creek was washed out. I was following two MT. Bike dudes who just shouldered their bikes and jumped across the creek. So I followed.

Where I came out and the trail ended

Where I came out and the trail ended

Washout on the Shoal Creek where I was headed

Washout on the Shoal Creek where I was headed

Had a great time in Austin but was not interested on moss growing on my tires. Headed to Galveston, Texas!

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