By David Freeze

Another good and important day!

  I got more sleep last night than I usually do at the Budget Motel in Bastrop. Really happy with the room, I was up and out at first light with a plan. I wanted to finish off the current segment, but knew that there would be challenges. Already at 80 degrees for a low, the humidity was high and close to 100 degrees was predicted. I needed close to 90 miles to reach Navasota, the last town on map segment four.

    I took State Road 21 out of Bastrop and battled no bike shoulder and heavy early traffic until the shoulder widened just enough to keep the bike on it. Next came a 45 mile segment on US 290, starting with about 15 miles of brand new pavement. I stopped in Giddings for a couple of breakfast tacos and home made chocolate chip cookies I had a wonderful talk with Toni Cook, who said, “I’ve often wondered if I could even ride a bike to the next town.”

  Then it was on to Carmine, where my credit card got cut off again. Once again, they emailed me and asked if the purchase at the Village Market was legitimate. Of course it was! A super large cold drink and two bakery brownies! I got a picture of the bike right behind a large elephant waiting in the parking lot. So far, I don’t miss many convenience stores with towns still spread out.

    Then, after a short segment on State Road 36, I took the very challenging 24 mile ride on State Road 105 into Navasota. Navasota had big Civil War history and was named the blues capital of Texas.

    I had talked with a young desk clerk at the Navasota Inn a couple of times over the last two days. I’m here and very happy with the room. When I rode in, the clerk had a big smile on her face. She had the air going in my room, and a big easy chair and foot stool waiting for me. Plus she gave me a cold water, a bag of chips and cookies! I was so excited about all of this.

    With map segment four done, I now have about 1,230 miles to go. Of course, that figure won’t be exact by the time I am done, but is very close. I will come close to 2,000 miles completed in the next day or two. Today’s ride was 88 miles and I still have probably two more days left in Texas. I plan to spend tomorrow night in Shepherd, Texas.

    It was hot today, 97 was the highest I heard and my shirt was wet all day. But 97 is still nothing like the 114 of the bad day! A nice side breeze made it seem less hot. It was another good day and I’m excited again about tomorrow.

    Join me back here for Friday’s ride and start to finish off Texas. I’m about to start my second pint of Blue Bell ice cream. See you tomorrow!