Big Bend and Beyond?

This weekend is our ride to Big Bend Country. It will be my first visit to that part of Texas. Its a bit of a hike, which is the main reason I've never been. We have +500 miles to travel on Friday to get to Ft Davis, near Balmorhea. There is a famed Texas swimming hole in the Balmorhea State Park. Some of the gang are bringing their scuba gear.

Its liable to be hot, however there are thunderstorms predicted throughout most of Texas for the next several days into next week. We will likely hit some rain and it may keep temperatures down somewhat, although it will increase the humidity.

Other points of interest will be the three remaining Lone Star Challenge points. Balmorhea State Park, Presidio and Terlingua. Presidio is very close to the Mexico border, very close.... Terlingua is a bit of a ghost town, a former mining community that is now a bit of a tourist destination on the outskirts of Big Bend National Park.

We will actual be in some of the older parts of Texas, Presidio was first settled by Spaniards in 1535. So there is a bit of history there.

Almost time to start packing. Need to load some more songs on my ipod for this trip I think!

20K service

Well, it was relatively painless, I have a couple of things left to do, lube cables, I think that may be all. Only one broken (overtorqued) bolt. Had to run to dealership to get that taken care of. Darlene got her fluids done same time. We did that Friday night on way to Last Call show and celebrating Buffy's birthday.

All in all a pretty busy weekend. Party Friday night, Saturday I finished my 20K, Darlene did some finish work on some of the renovations. I had a hockey game Saturday night, it was the 2nd game of the D first round playoffs. We ended up winning 4-3, after scoring late in the third. It was a closer game than it should have been. We outplayed them but made the typical mistakes that allowed them to stay in the game. But we won that series.

Sunday was a full day as well, we did some shopping, bought a water cooler, some more supplies to finish up some of more of the finish work, and we started on the fence. Bought the posts and supplies to install for the extension around the equipment. Last night we had fondue to celebrate the end of summer break.

Sliders recap

Good ride, we got caught in a very short torrential downpour. Just enough to get very wet. Round trip about 400 miles, with a straight shot home. I think it was hwy 174 that was a pretty good ride.

Krystals was the Sliders destination. I tell you what, those little burgers are pretty rank. Hopefully next year I will remember that and order something more palatable if that is possible. Actally the chicken ones weren't bad, I think real chick breast, compared to some Nasa Beef product.

Picked up some of my fluids to do my own 20K service. I am pulling my hair out (what's left of it) trying to find my manual. Getting frustrated....

Sliders

Time for the annual Sliders Ride. A spiritual journey for the ultimate belly bomber, also known as those tiny bite-sized hamburgers know to induce gastric discomfort. And of course to settle our stomachs after lunch, we will have supper at Buzzard Billy's, a Cajun buffet... Hmmm, I predict some "pit stops" on the way home Sunday.

Next weekend I plan on doing my 20K service at home, at least my fluids. Been doing my normal researching, and I think I'll go with Mobil 1 V-twin, maybe figure out how to get Amsoil for my next change after that. Am hoping the different fluids will lower the bike temp and shift a bit better.

Plumbing is in on the "big dig".

2007 Bug Run

Well this year's run had more bugs than last years, thats for sure. Another good run, we had 4 pods, I don't know how many bikes but there had to be 40 or so. Beautiful night, once it cooled down to the mid 90's! It was hot getting there, we left about 5:30 pm, it was probably about 101F at that point.

Ride was about 100 miles, over a couple of lakes. The bridge over Ray Roberts had a lot of bikes, we turned our high beams on for a few seconds, it was almost like riding in the snow! Final destination was the Flying Pig Roadhouse in Lake Dallas, so it wasn't too far a ride to home, but still never got home till after midnight. No prizes for either of us, just a good ride.

96 Degrees in the Shade

Real hot, in the shade... (Third World)

Well summer is finally here. The rains have stopped and anyday now, likely today, we may hit triple digits. I think yesterday, at the official heat detecting station at the DFW airport, it hit 99F.

Its the annual Bug Run tomorrow night. Last years run was practically bug free due to the drought. This year should be different, but the temps may keep the bugs down. There is certainly a lot more water around, both in the lakes and standing water.

The dig is coming along very well, at least on schedule. Moving faster than I expected actually. gotta post a couple of pics of the progress. Other housing projects are moving along at our typical pace. We are not contractors by any means and do have full time jobs you know!

Big Dig

Making some headway, have the first arch almost complete, the "kitchener" is nearing completion. The "Big Dig" is underway, there is now a large hole in the backyard. They should be inspecting the steel today hopefully then pouring the gunite. I'll have work to do after that.

Did finally get to do some riding this weekend. Saturday I went to Thurber with the group. Darlene stayed home as she had a busy weekend both work and personally. Put on about 300 miles on Saturday, its warmed up but it wasn't too bad. Hopefully for our Balmoreal ride at the end of the month it won't be too hot. While Darlene was at the LOH pool party I took a little ride northeast and found a cool little hole in the wall will have to check out further.