Day 23: Navasota TX, 35 miles

We Expected more rain today so we planned a shorter day.  It was cool riding weather but no rain.  

We made a stop for WD-40 because we had some rust on our chains from the rain.  (The oil we brought had spilled.)

We had a good lunch once we reached town. Here are some pictures of their menu items that I would not recommend for nutritional value. 

It has been almost  a week with noflat tires!!

We're  staying at a Best Western Motel. The only entrance was off the freeway exit ramp. Since we avoid freeways we had to use the grass field entrance.

 There was a steakhouse nearby and we had a take out dinner that we shared of grilled chicken,baked potato, rolls and salad that we shared.

Tomorrow  our goal is LaGrange which is about 66 miles. There is a quilt Museum

In that town so Sharon is hoping to make it before their 4 o'clock closing time

Day 22: Montgomery Texas, 45 miles

There was no sign of the motel continental breakfast when we left this morning 7 AM. Evidently they sleep in on Sunday. So we had microwave coffee and granola bars and took off. It was in the 50s but it was raining. We found a McDonald's at 15 miles. 

There was not much to photograph. We stopped at donut shop to warm up. And said since we were there we just as well have a donut.

Quite a few people talked to us

--I think most thought we were crazy.  The rain was bad and worse at times. we rode through a town which adds to the challenge.

When we reached our motel we asked for rags and cleaned our bikes. Luckily there is guest laundry so we will soon have clean clothes.  Rain is predicted again tomorrow so we are aiming only for Navasota--about 33 miles.  At least the wind was cooperative.  Feel very blessed that we have successfully gone 1158 miles safely. No flats today. 

Or across this street from the Conroe lake

There just happens to be a good Mexican restaurant there.

Day 21: Shepherd, TX, 50 miles

Compared to the night before this was a fabulous motel. Very quiet and comfortable. We left after our continental breakfast about 7:15.

This area is noted for what they call the Big Thicket. To be honest, for Oregonians it was not too impressive. But our route took us on farm roads which were flat and very little traffic.  If this was close to our home it would be a regular bike route for us--a great bike route.

The weather remained cool all day. We had our 50 miles by noon so we get an afternoon rest before starting again tomorrow. We are going off route tomorrow because the only hotel available on route has no vacancies. Our goal is Montgomery which is about 50 miles again.

Day 20: Kountze TX, 41 miles

We started our day with breakfast in our motel room:

Luckily at 15 miles we were able to have a good "second breakfast".

The riding conditions were almost ideal although cold so we had many layers of clothes. Route was flat and the road was smooth with good shoulders. 

We Arrived at our destination town shortly after noon. Since there are no restaurants close to our hotel we ate a large lunch before checking into our room. It was a buffet which encouraged us to sample a lot of good things--including peach cobbler with ice cream.

Tonight we will eat light out of our pannier  "stash".  Tomorrow our planned route is about 50 miles to Shepherd Texas.

Day19: Kirbyville, Texas. 44 miles

We left about 7:30. It was  34° and dry.

We had about 20 miles left of Louisiana.

The part of Texas that we go through is about 1000 miles. 

It stayed cool most of the morning; but about 11 o'clock the sun started to come out.  Just as we came into the town where we are staying we found a home town restaurant.  The new food item for us was black-eyed peas. It was a great meal.

We are now having our destinations and by lodging. Tomorrow our goal is Kountze, TX  which is about 41 miles.

Rest Day on DeRitter, LA

It is raining and cold here--we are snug in our motel resting. The weather is supposed to be better tomorrow.

Day 18: DeRidder, LA; 38 miles

We purposely got a late start this morning because of weather predicted to be freezing rain. It was 34 degrees when we started riding at about 10 am. We also wanted to wait for the restaurant to open. We had such good food last night we wanted to have their breakfast also. A retired pharmacist who spoke with us at dinner last night came for breakfast to say goodbye and good luck.

The ride was uneventful for which we are thankful--no flat tires! It was cold with a north wind.

The "crop" in this area is pine trees. We were told they plant them 8 feet apart and harvest after about 30 years. 

We had a great snack on our route--it is a treat to find a restaurant when we don't expect and a good opportunity to warm up.

We are spending two nights here since rain is predicted and we have a nice Best Western hotel and lots of food nearby. We can pace ourselves now since we meet Sharon's brother and his wife in Austin March 6. We are about 25 miles from the Texas border--which will be about 1000 miles total for us.