Big Bend Feb/2005

[Trailace]

Big Bend Ride Feb 2005
Day 1 (2/24) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686237-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686237-M.jpg)
Left home (Cypress TX) around 8:00 am in a horrific rainstorm and headed toward Big Bend. But first I would stop in Gonzales TX and watch my daughter's softball tournament. The weather was so bad all the games were canceled so on to Big Bend. I took 90 the whole way and stopped at Roy Bean's Historic Saloon/Courtroom.
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686244-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686244-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686247-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686247-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686251-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686251-M.jpg)

When I reached Marathon the temperature started to drop and there was a mist in the air. I stopped for gas in Alpine, it was 39 degrees and raining. At Fort Davis State Park I found the other guys tents and set mine up as well. The guy camping next to us told me they went to town to eat. A few minuets later Joe and Mike arrived back from eating and we BS for a few hours and then turned in for the night.

Day2 (2/25) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686238-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686238-M.jpg)
We were up and on the roar early this damp chilly morning. It would be breakfast in Marfa at Carmans Caf?hen on to Presidio.
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We took River Road (170) to Terlingua then 118 Back to FT Davis. The last 15 miles of 170 was under construction. It was a nice ride and we capped it off with dinner at Pop?s and a few beers around the fire.
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686277-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686277-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686281-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686281-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686273-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686273-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686292-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686292-M.jpg)



Day 3 (2/26) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686240-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686240-M.jpg)
When we went to sleep it was around 40 and no rain however when we awoke it was colder and snowing. The snow was about 4 to 5 inches deep and the roads were slick. We walked to India lodge and had breakfast. After we ate we packed our stuff and headed east to look for someplace dry. Taking a tent down in rain is bad but is really sucks in melting snow. Everything was wet and muddy. It rained all day. When we got to Uvalde Mike stayed and looked for a hotel, Joe and myself headed for Garner State Park.

http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686295-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686295-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686296-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686296-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686300-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686300-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686304-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686304-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686306-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686306-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686235-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686235-M.jpg)

Day 4 (2/27) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686241-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/16686241-M.jpg)
We woke to clear skies and warmer temperatures. The roads were still wet and deer were everywhere but I was in no hurry to get home. Joe and I split up in Medina where 337 hit 16. I had a great ride home, only did about 20 mile of interstate in the 327 mile day.

This was not the best trip to Big Bend with all the bad weather but it is one of the most memorable. Thanks to Joe, Mike and Chuck for the great company.
All Pics (http://blink.smugmug.com/gallery/417022)

[Chief]

This must be a good site cause the first thing I saw was a picture of myself from this ride!!!
I'm ready again for next month.

[Mellow]

This must be a good site cause the first thing I saw was a picture of myself from this ride!!!
I'm ready again for next month.

Welcome Chief!

That was one fun trip - most people think we were crazy and we never would have gone if we'd have known it was gonna snow. But, it was one of the best trips ever, mostly because it snowed. I'm just glad the ground was still warm and melting it all, wasn't any slicker than riding in rain.

I do hope it will not snow this coming Feb, once was enough.:snow1:

[Trailace]

This must be a good site cause the first thing I saw was a picture of myself from this ride!!!
I'm ready again for next month.
Welcome Chief!

You sell that house yet? :p

[Chief]

Welcome Chief!

You sell that house yet? :p


Yup, house is sold!!!! Now all I have to spend my money on is bikes and hunting and grandkids.

I'm gonna be trying to buy me and Beeper both dual-sports sometime this year. Probably a DR650 or KLR for me and either a DR200 or XT225 for her. If that works then we are gonna try and go to Copper Canyon in the fall with the Horizons Unlimited group. Wanna go????

[Trailace]

Yup, house is sold!!!! Now all I have to spend my money on is bikes and hunting and grandkids.

I'm gonna be trying to buy me and Beeper both dual-sports sometime this year. Probably a DR650 or KLR for me and either a DR200 or XT225 for her. If that works then we are gonna try and go to Copper Canyon in the fall with the Horizons Unlimited group. Wanna go????
I would love to go, give me some dates when you know.

[Mellow]

Hey.. I wanna go too... I can ride the Wing around the nice paved sections.. :D

[Mellow]

Yup, house is sold!!!! Now all I have to spend my money on is bikes and hunting and grandkids.

I'm gonna be trying to buy me and Beeper both dual-sports sometime this year. Probably a DR650 or KLR for me and either a DR200 or XT225 for her. If that works then we are gonna try and go to Copper Canyon in the fall with the Horizons Unlimited group. Wanna go????

Cheif/Rick - here's a KLR for sale.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8209

[Chief]

I would love to go, give me some dates when you know.


Scheduled for Oct 10-13. If we go when all those experienced guys are down there, then we don't have as much worries about language problems.

[Trailace]

That should work, if I can get my KLR or DR in time. I don't know if I want to take the GS but might have to. :rolleyes:

[Chief]

That should work, if I can get my KLR or DR in time. I don't know if I want to take the GS but might have to. :rolleyes:

There was lots of GS's down there this past year. As soon as I get the Harley set up for the Alaska ride then I'm gonna start looking seriously for the dual sports. I've seen some pretty good deals in the last couple of weeks but I can't buy until I'm done with the first trip!:(

[Mellow]

You two have me wanting a KLR now... hope you're happy! Ya gotta love the price...

[Chief]

You two have me wanting a KLR now... hope you're happy! Ya gotta love the price...

The one you sent the link to sounds pretty good. It's really set up for some adventuring.
I think I'm slowly leaning toward a DR, just seams more dirtable and I'll need all the help I can get!!!

I think I'm gonna buy Beeper a bike first if I can find a good deal . That way she'll be more committed to getting everything ready for the Copper Canyon trip.

[Mellow]

If I had the money brother...

I think it's a great deal with all the stuff he's got on it, I was at his place a couple months ago and it was in the garage but covered and I didn't even think to ask him about it. He was moving from Dallas to the St Louis area but I know him and he's the type to really take care of a bike.

Wanna loan me $3k and I'll pay ya back ... oh... $100/month for 30 months? he he he

[Chief]

Wanna loan me $3k and I'll pay ya back ... oh... $100/month for 30 months? he he he[/QUOTE]


That's the same deal I was trying to get on your ST and also on Buzz's GS!!!!!!!
Soooooo, since ya'll obviously know better than me, I guess you need to wait.

[Mellow]

Well, I tried....