Throckmorton, TX [news]

02/28/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

We have only seen accumulation of snow in Texas. West of Dallas the terrain and geography changed drastically along with the weather. Mesquite trees and brush dotted the landscape. Towns became farther spaced and less and less populated. In some counties the population density almost matched one person for every acre (and two cows for every person). Stopping in at a local hunting and sporting shop we were offered a stay, 40 miles down the road, in a town called Throckmorton.

With temperature dropping rapidly from the setting sun and an onset of a cold front, we humbly accepted the offer. Riding out to Throckmorton we focused on having someplace out of the elements and possibly a warm meal. Our directions were to Coalson's Grocery.

Upon arriving the daughter of the family picked us up in a pickup and brought us to the Ray home. We then proceeded to a home-style diner; Where we were told saw the face of every resident throughout the day. After meeting the family we were set to bed, Paul in the shed and myself in the back room. We stayed the next full day.

I got a chance to ride out with the daughter and meet up with a few of her friends. It was an opportunity to visit with kids my own age. Astonishingly, that very group of kids mocked my home town group of friends perfectly, you could say the only difference would be the cowboy hats.

Amie Ray, the daughter, took me out for the daily chores around town while the morning snow showed no immediate signs of melting. We fed the pigs and the horses and still had time to make it home before high school started.

Our morning of departure aligned with the family's preplanned trip to a stock show. We said goodbye and wished them luck with their pig Spartan. Throckmorton is titled as being 'the gateway to the west.' An achievement we were proud to reach. We now have to contest with endless ranch land and flat terrain as we move farther from the Gulf of Mexico's humid affects on climate.

Scouts and Pioneers [news]

02/23/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

Entering Texas we hoped for clear skies and warm weather. Ironically we got our wish while staying with friends in Plano. One of the many subdivisions of the massive Dallas metropolis; We made our nest in room 227 of the Day's Inn. We stayed there nearly a week, a very sunny week.

While there we planned on resting up and getting ready for the third and final leg of our journey: The Southwest. We enjoyed the company of Ben & Sherri just about every night and even arranged a Meet & Greet at the second Dave & Buster's installment in the history of the company. There we met many individuals interested in our journey (and maybe a good meal as well). Our banners from Marblehead, MA were shipped over and we were official enough to draw out a news reporter.

Through the countless efforts of folks in Massachusetts and Texas, the National Council for the Boy Scouts of America arranged for me to be honored the highest rank in scouting's national museum. I was welcomed by the staff and executives in charge. John Newbury from Massachusetts flew down for the occasion to award me the pin. It was an opportunity for all parties involved to benefit and an experience I won't soon forget.

Leaving Dallas we gave our goodbyes to Ben & Sherri and started our trek west. We had two things on our mind: We were told the weather would be less humid and overall nicer west of Dallas and secondly that we may wish for a little humidity as we enter the more desolate and arid part of the country, the desert.

Once more, with spirits renewed, and new terrain at our treads we continually pushed forth. Envisioning ourselves as pioneers in a land where one often wonders how many folks have exactly walked on the same soil as yourself. And possibly how many of them lived to tell about it. We will have to consider rationing our food and conserving our water. Not to worry however as most towns are withing 100 miles of each other. Next stop, Roswell, NM where hopefully we make it through unabducted and rather sane with such a repetitive landscape ahead. Most thoughts are usually of hatred or love but undeniably all agree that the terrain passing us by is some of the most beautiful.

Crossing Paths on 380 [news]

02/22/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

We have had the great pleasure to meet some truly driven people while biking great lengths. We are making our cross-country journey in the dead of winter (a truly foul weathered winter) and on a route that is unlike the few traditional routes planned by the Adventure Cycling Association. A few days ago at latitude 33.17204 and longitude -97.86115 we chanced upon two representatives from the International Mountain Bike Association. Sponsored by Subaru they were given all the gear necessary to travel the country.

We passed by and enjoyed lunch with them on the coast of Lake Bridgeport. Both were enthused to meet us and confirmed we were the first touring pair they had seen yet this year. We admired their choice of locomotion (four wheels and gasoline) and their chances to ride their bikes day after day. Through acts of 'Paying Forward' they gave us a sack of nutritional bars and gels for those extra weary days. We parted on route 380 bound to opposite cardinal directions.

The day later we saw a speck on the horizon coming closer to us at almost a similar speed as a loaded touring bike. The weather has lately drawn everybody indoors and we were thrilled to meet someone else on the road. With a three wheeled cart filled with camping gear and food, Patrick McGlade nearly passed us running at top speed. We chatted for awhile and exchanged cards. He was running a marathon a day for 2,500 miles to Savannah, GA from San Diego, CA.

We asked him how the Rockies were when he left and what the desert was like a month ago. The look in his eyes gave us both something to look forward to when he enthusiastically responded with a simple "Beautiful." He is running for juvenile arthritis.

Both accounts gave us something to think about for we have met individuals on the road with similarities to us. All with a drive to accomplish and move. Traveling for the sake of refreshment and purpose for both themselves and others.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead [news]

02/16/2010 | Comments: 0 | Categories:

It is 0700 here, in Plano, TX. Clint is sleeping soundly, perhaps dreaming of future Solo adventures or his new bike or any number of things that an eighteen year old boy dreams of. I have brewed a pot of coffee and am enjoying the aroma as it fills the hotel room that we are in. Coffee in bed, a true luxury.

Thanks to our hosts, Ben and Sherri, Clint and I are feeling like kings as we enjoy the comforts of the Days Inn for our stay in Plano.

Clint and I have been on the road now for almost sixteen weeks. We departed Rockland on a beautiful Sunday morning and that afternoon we had our first evening meal of the trip, pasta and leftover red clam sauce, seems a lifetime ago.

The first month of our cross-country journey saw us biking through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Clint and I along with our dear friend and month long team member, Jo, will long remember the days leading up to the Kankamugus pass, the reaching of the summit after four long hours and the great run down into Lincoln,NH. This was the first, of many challenges, that we would encounter and conquer. Route 118 the next day. None of us will forget that tortuous ride to Warren.

Spending a few days at my sisters home and having a "Rambothon". The beautiful days ride along the Merrimac River and our stay in Marblehead, complete with a cocktail party and fundraiser. These memories will also stay with us.

The Woonsocket dynamites, the Big Apple store and the roller coaster ride of Connecticut will not soon beforgotten as well as our stay with our friends in East Haddem and the police officer who woke Clint and I up during a rainstorm and told us to move on.

Pine Plains, New York City, Centrel Park super models and friends on Staten Island. Gifts of food and people welcoming us into their home. Camping beside the road and in makeshift shelters. The Outer Banks. Sleeping in church fellowship halls and the kindness of strangers, Christmas with friends in South Carolina, the flu and New Years bonfire. All this engraved in our memories.

The two week "cold Snap" that stayed with us through Georgia and Alabama and the wonderful people that made us feel so very warm during that time.

Riding the Trace into Natchez and our stay at the Twin Oaks B&B. Crossing the Mississippi and being fortunate to be given shelter for the night from James and his wife. The Catfish was great, as well as the hot breakfast. Rain, rain and more rain.

All that and so much more. We now find ourselves In Plano, TX. Clint's bike is being cleaned and relubed and mine is in the shop getting worn parts replaced. All this for the next part of our journey, The Great American West.

We have heard stories about what awaits us. "Nothing west of Dallas but fence posts and barbed wire", "Just Tumble weeds till the Rocky Mountains." We are so looking forward to this. In part because of the wet weather that we have had for so long and also we feel the need for a drastic change in senery. With the record snow fall here in Texas it looks as if we never left New England.