Molly and I completed our 19th day of cycling in Texas this afternoon. We have now rolled 783 miles! The wildflowers have been amazing, and each day via my daily bike diary it seems I find a new flower and post a photograph.

The birds have been fun, but quite frankly when one needs to bike 40 to 55 miles in a day, unless the birds almost insist I take a photograph … I just roll on by and enjoy the sights. Today a Dickcissel and Western Kingbird did insist they wanted their photograph taken!

Here are two unique photographs. I am kissing the pavement! One might ask why? While most days we experience good shoulders and routings due to my advance research, there are days where you wish one could get in a car. Two days ago we had horrible crumbling pavement with non existent shoulders plus a quartering headwind. Did I mention the the route included some decent hills? I was a very happy camper when at 35 miles into that day’s ride we entered a new county and Eureka! Smooth beautiful big shoulders!

Answering the question of where we are now … 783 miles and 19 days into our tour … a small town named after President Madison.

Today is day #14, and we have completed 600 miles of cycling. Molly and I are enjoying a unique activity in College Station today, rest. Yes, we will not bike tour today. Instead a trip over to the President George H.W. Bush Library is in order. We wish the former President God’s blessing upon the death of his wife yesterday.

Rest means two nights in the same spot, and taking it easy in the morning. Last night’s sleep was enjoyed even that much more given the prior night had been spent sleeping on the ground while camping at a Texas State Park. When one visits parks in the Spring, there are no crowds with which to contend. There was only one other couple camped out, and they were far away from our site. I even had a cool nature experience. When walking over to the washrooms to brush my teeth, I first circled back to our site and grabbed my camaera. Boy was I glad I made that decision for I saw the first live Armadillo of my life. Three years ago while touring Texas up to Missouri all I ever saw was roadkill. (read daily bike diary)

My Armadillo

Biking a remote road yesterday

Our Bicycle Tour Route Through Today

When touring by bike one needs patience and the hope the birds will come to you. Additionally as Molly is not a birder, my time for “bird stops” is limited. Thankfully over the past 24 hours 3 cool species of birds were very cooperative. We have now completed 457 miles after 11 days of touring … which includes a short day ride at my relative’s farm.

Scissor Tailed Flycatcher at Sunset

Crested Caracara at the Roadkill Cafe

Today’s Wildflower Photo … Still tens and tens of thousands of wildflowers along the roadside!

Suntan lotion going on …

Cattle Egrets … with and without cows … apparently touring cyclists are scary.

Molly and I at the monument for the location where the first shots were fired in the Texas War of Independence against Mexico … just happened to be along our route and we needed a break.