The DRZ Chronicles

 Something to be said for Delta 10 and a bottle of Chianti... quite a bit, actually.

The Taj Mahal at Randolph Air Base. Pretty much not doing anything. Need to make some miles soon. Weather is still a bitch. A couple of other "Texas oddities".

 Regrouping in San Antonio. Being stuffed with great tacos and wine. Wine?? Yeah, well any wagon has a finite life. And it,'s hot, so that's really important! 

 The beach turned out to be a double edged sword. At sundown, wind died way down, mosquito's came out and the humidity was very high. Miserable night. Back to Lockhart to regroup. Temps hit 101 today with relentless sun. A bit of a challenge, for sure.

 A nice view of my front yard. Free camping on the beach. I like free and I like beaches. Think a couple of days here. Maybe a tour of Galvaston tomorrow. Riding on the beach is no easy matter, at least for me, with a loaded bike.

 1/2 lb. of fatty brisket and 1 beef rib. Brisket texture, color and tenderness is exceptional. Flavor is mediocre. Same with the rib, except the rib had a note of bitterness from the smoke, something that does not happen with a pellet smoker. 60 bucks with tip. Is it worth? No, unfortunately. And it was one hell of a long trip. Buy a prime brisket or prime rib plate and do it yourself. Best Western, Lockhart. Nice place, 113.00/night. Next door to Photo Hong, a Vietnamede restauart that has great food. Pho and 2 spring rolls to go for 18 bucks. Very good.

What am I doing here? I can only think of one thing!

 I wanted to see the river delta. I have. I don't really want to see it again, so time for a change of scenery.

 Planetary alignment is amazing. Reasonably certain I even saw Mercury, though briefly. It can be tough. Got up at 0430 to view. Started watching about 0500. The arc through the sky that the planets lined up on is called the ecliptic plain, sort of s celestial equator. That is the path the planets will always be seen to follow. If you didn't look, look! 

 Today seemed like a good time to ride to Caruthersville, MO. Why, well, because I have never been there. I was not certain that Sikeston alone could give good claim to having "been in the bootheel". On the way, I passed through Kennett, MO and discovered it is the hometown of singer Sheryl Crow. Maybe she knew Sara Evans while growing up? Not too far apart... Caruthersville surprised me. Very nice, well kept town. And it contains a war memorial to Lt. Col. John England, a well decorated ace of WW2. He died while landing a military plane in Toul, France in 1954. As part of the memorial, there was a display of a P-80 Shooting Star. Only one I have ever seen. Our first active jet fighter, I believe. Little break in the weather tonight with a cool front moving in. Supposed to be down in the mid-60's. That will be fine with me. Tomorrow will be spent preparing to leave Arkansas and head to......

 Flat. Nothing like the western half of the state. Corn, beans, cotton, as far as you can see. And heat. Fierce heat and sun

 Nice park. Swimming, bath houses, water at the tent sites. Hot as blazes.

 The first night camping was interesting. Heat was intense during the day. At night, it cooled down into the upper 70's. Today will be another scorcher. Going to Crowley's Ridge State Park today.

  37.117242, -90.468966 Lake Wappapello. Why? Long story... New location.  36.94929558466971, -90.27938223211515 People's Creek Campground. $16.00. Nice place. Electric and water at sites.

 So long North Platte!

 I am officially homeless. A bit of an odd feeling, really. Waiting for carpet cleaners so I have a receipt for the Realtor and I should be out of here.