Day 1 - Abilene, TX

Home to Abilene, TX -  378 Miles  - May 17, 2012

I had promised on my visit to my friends WT and Becky to return and take the girls for a motorcycle ride (Life At The Margin blog - Who's George Hamilton IV?).  So this give me an excuse to make a short visit again, plus, the opportunity to make the first day shorter than usual.  I find it takes me a day or so to retrain the "biker butt" needed for these rides.

So, about 8:30am I start out.  I restarted about 9:15am after returning home to get my forgotten wallet.  These gas stations are kinda picky about getting paid.

(Click any picture to enlarge)

I left home traveling up US290 as far as Elgin (B), taking SR95 north to SR79 in Taylor (C), then taking TR130 to US190 through Kileen (D), merging with US183 near Lampasas and through to Goldthwait.and Brownwood, connecting to US84 near Santa Anna (hey, wasn't he the Mexican general at the Alamo?) and on to SR36 and then  onto the Crider place.

I chose this route because it meant some new road for me through central Texas.  Having made the usual SR36 trip several times I always opt for new road wherever I can find it.

Managed to collect yet another county courthouse at Goldthwaite.
Completed in 1913 after the original (1890) burned down.

The tribute to Mills County fallen during the Civil War.















Arrived at the Criders about 5:45pm after a nice ride through Texas.   WT did his usual masterful work on a great brisket.  The secret is simple: not too hot and about 12 hours.  You can cut it with a fork.  Gave the girls rides on Betsy after dinner and all enjoyed it.  May have created a monster.  Becky allowed as how she like riding a motorcycle pretty good.  Had a great visit, as always, celebrating Emma's (6th) birthday a day early.  She's a hoot!