Day 10 - Home

Day 10 - June 14, 2008 - Vernon, TX to Spring, TX 409 miles

Here's a surprise: woke up early again this morning and was on the road by 6:15am. But not before "wading" through Slavs in the parking lot. I went out to load the bike and there were two or three rooms full of men directly in front of Betsy's parking spot. I don't know how many, but with all of them walking around in their underwear exclaiming, I think, about the beauty of the Texas morning, it was a sight to see. Seriously, folks, they were in and out of the room like clock metronomes, prancing about wearing only briefs (there's the answer to that question) obviously happy, though, not gay; at least I don't think they were. And, even if they were, as Seinfeld so eloquently said, "there's nothing wrong with that..."

How do I know they were Slavs? The language. I don't speak any, but it was obviously a Baltic or eastern European language of some kind. I couldn't help but wonder what six or eight eastern Europeans were doing at the Super 8 in Vernon, Texas running around in their underwear. My thoughts ran the gamut from working men, to Russian Mafia, to terrorists. After thinking it through, I've decided they were either workers or Russian Mafia. If they were terrorists they'd be much better "briefed" about such behavior.

As promised (threatened?) I went through Waxahachie to get a look at their storied (as in fabled, not multi-level) courthouse. It is definitely a beauty. The town itself is very pleasant with lots of old homes. They call themselves the "Gingerbread"home community.




Ellis Co. CH - Waxahachie, TX
















Front view.












Bobby J called while I was taking pictures of the Waxahachie Courthouse and reported he'd made it home okay yesterday. The jury-rigged kickstand holder held up well.

I headed out to Ennis and caught I-45 there heading south. Made the obligatory stop in Centerville (Exit 164) for Woody's Smokehouse jerky. Got buffalo and turkey jerky and decided not to try to eat as I was riding. I used up all my luck for that trick on a previous trip. (For an understanding of this trick see my Alaska trip blog, last day.)

Arrived home about 3:15pm, sad, as usual, to see the end of yet another trip. I realized on this trip that Bobby J and have have ridden together like this for the past five years. Sometimes with groups of twenty to thirty ala the Great Basin NP ride in 2003, and five or six, as in 2004 to Gunnison. Sometimes the lovely Zelda, Bob's wife, accompanies us, sometimes (I'm sure) we are more than she wants to put up with. The only constant is Bobby J, and he's consistently unpredictable. Thanks for that, Bob. Had a hoot, as always. I expect a credible flute recital the next time we ride.