On the Road Again

Greetings from Southeastern Texas. We left Hondo on Tuesday and made the loooong 50 mile drive to the outskirts of San Antonio, where we spent a few nights while we had some work done on the HOW. Then we began our two day trip  to Needville, TX, specifically Brazos Bend State Park.  

We'd decided that, for us, a good travel day consists of less than three hours (a three-hour tour, a three-hour tour...) at around 50 MPH. So, let's say under 150 miles a day. That gives us a nice leisurely pace at around 2000 RPM on the HOW's mighty V10. (It helps out on the MPG's too.)  

Who knew?

Day One was to be a 138 mile drive, so we figured just under three hours. No such luck. Our overpriced, under-performing GPS decided that the fastest route was via the historic Texas Independence Trail. This asphalt two-laner was an obstacle course of holes, bumps, washouts, construction, narrow bridges and dust. The area, once the center of uranium mining in Texas, was now a sea of oil fields, fracking sites and truck yards. The non-stop heavy truck traffic had really taken its toll on the road.

Still, there were diamonds in the rough along the way. Only when you get off the interstates and onto the backroads do you find the real America that exists outside of the notice of the media and all the sparkling urbanites. Here is one such find:

We got to our overnight stop in Victoria, TX, rode hard and put away wet. Our three hour drive took six hours. It rained over night just hard enough to make the dust covered HOW and Toad a bigger mess than they already were. Today's drive was more sane. It rained most of the way, but thanks to the modifications I made to the air intake last November, the HOW handled it fine.

We arrived at Brazos Bend State Park in just over two hours. Billed as "The Home of the American Alligator", this place gives you a list of Alligator Etiquette Rules when you check in. Check it out:

1. Absolutely do not feed or harass alligators. If you love your pet, keep it on a leash. Do not throw objects into the water for your dog to retrieve.
2. Do not assume alligators are slow-moving or sluggish.
3. Keep a safe distance at all times - at least 30 feet from an alligator.
4. If you hook a fish, an alligator may go after your catch.
5. Avoid any alligator sunning itself in the middle of the trail.
6. If you see a pile of twigs, grasses, and/ or soil near the side of the trail, avoid it. It's a nest and the mother alligator is probably close by guarding it.
7. When an alligator stands its ground, opens its mouth and hisses, you have come too close.
8. Plan a route of retreat:

• Retreat slowly; make no quick moves.
• Keep your eyes on the alligator.
• Retreat uphill where possible.
• Keep retreating in this manner until the alligator no longer demonstrates aggressive behavior.
• Above all, do not get close enough to threaten an alligator.

Source:  Texas Parks and Wildlife PWD CD P4504-110G  (10/03)

The other welcoming information we noticed on our way into the park were signs that said, "Venomous snakes are present in this park". 

We wanted to go walking around the park to check it out but it was still raining, and it starting getting cold. We'll have to see what tomorrow brings.

Until then...