January 2002
Sven and the Art of Motorcycle Travel
Texas
We have a friend; his name is Sven. He tells us what the weather is/is going to be. We don't go anywhere without consulting him. We call him Sven because he talks like a character out of the movie Fargo. (If this means nothing to you, go ask someone!) So Rick, tell them what Sven is...Rick says he's a weather band radio, with the national weather service. A computer voice; but it sounds like it belongs in Minnesota. So he's our friend, Sven. Unfortunately, Sven hasn't had any great weather to describe to us of late.
We've thoroughly been enjoying our time in Texas, which was a bit of a surprise. Preconceptions have not been far off, of course: everything is big, distances are long, etc. But the people have invariably been very friendly and helpful, there are many interesting sights to see, and for the most part the countryside is attractive, at least in the south central part of the state where we've been spending our time.
I will say, though, that Texans also think speed limit signs are only guideposts, and they also think if you are going more slowly than they think logical, you are supposed to move onto the shoulder of the road and let them past. And they pass over a double yellow line all the time. The chosen can do no wrong!
We spent quite a bit of time in the San Antonio area; we arrived on Christmas Day, which had been our goal. San Antonio is famous for its loveliness during the holidays and I can assure you that the Riverwalk and The Alamo are every bit as cool and neat as you may have heard! Rick has become inspired, after visiting the Alamo, to begin a study of Crockett, Travis and Bowie.
If you visit, be sure to find a German restaurant on Commerce Street called Schilo's. Have the cheesecake.
I did have to try and deal with one of my bugaboos: parking garages with spiral ramps. I just don't like them very well. Too steep, too slow, too tightly winding. Our current M.O. has me getting off at the bottom and then trying to find Rick somewhere above. Not perfect, as you can imagine. We'll try something else the next time. As usual, Kathy is being too modest. The last time we visited the garage in downtown San Antonio - our fourth time there - she did ride up the ramp. I suspect she has either forgotten because her eyes were closed all the way up, or is simply blocking out the experience
We very happily camped for almost a week on the outskirts of San Antonio, then very cold weather set in, so we moved inside just in time for the coldest New Year's in San Antonio's recent history - down to 32 at night and up to 37 during the day (it's usually about 50). We were very happy to make the change! We got out for a little while in the middle of the afternoon; that's all. And it has been cold, Cold, COLD ever since. We've seen all the new movies as soon as they have hit the screens, in order to have something to do. In our opinion, Russell Crowe is dead on in "A Beautiful Mind"; so is Sissy Spacek in "In The Bedroom", although Rick didn't like the movie much. Forget "Vanilla Sky," that's for sure. But go see "Ali", for Will Smith and the boxing scenes.
My only regret as we left San Antonio was that we never found Billy Bob's Beds (NOTHING HIGHER THAN $179; LOWEST PRICES IN SAN ANTONIO!!!!!!!). Such a name.
We've moved on to Nacogdoches (try spelling that 3 times), in east Texas. This is also nice country; the town is between two large, forested areas, full of pine trees (not dying, either, I'm pleased to say). It's ranching country in between the trees, and very pretty. We're having what we think is an alternator problem. The bike simply wouldn't start back up this morning when we tried to leave the parking lot of the bank where we'd been using the ATM machine (free money 'cause it's not our bank?), so will probably head to Houston from here, where we are most likely to be able to find a shop to get the situation taken care of. In the meantime, Rick, who is so resourceful, has removed the battery and has it charging in the bathroom here at the motel. He carries all his tools with him, and really can cope with most anything that's wrong.
After we go to Houston, we are on to Florida, we've promised ourselves. The weather has been terrible this last week, but the sun is out today (Sunday), and we're hoping for the best. It's time we got a break. Stay tuned. We love you all and think of you often.
Rick and Kathy
P.S. We have discovered the joys of Texas pecans, particularly when disguised as pralines. Yummy!!
See more photos from 2002-2003
