Day Four: Food, Trees, Cops & Alligator Bait

I am kicking off with a photo of Joel’s BBQ. I love real Texas BBQ Smokehouses and this one fit the bill. Didn’t matter that it was humid and hot and the place had no AC – this is what a smokehouse BBQ is supposed to be. The huge converted oil tank in the middle of the place had two chimneys of which one is completely rusted through. I am certain that contributed to the mesquite scent of the place!

A couple weeks back I rode across the Mojave Desert to Flagstaff. After too many hours in the blistering sun seeing nothing but scrub plants, trees suddenly appeared just before Williams, AZ. This morning was like déjà vu. About an hour outside of San Antonio, trees suddenly began appearing. Not as dense as those in Arizon but real, legitimate trees. I would describe them as about 20 feet tall, and dense enough to conceal a one story structure about 50 to 100 yards in while open enough to be easy to walk through. Alas, the tree line also signaled the escalation of humidity which will haunt me the rest of the way in to my destination in Florida.

And the cops. On a news show last night I thought they were showing a clip about contractors in the middle east. No, it was the Texas Sheriffs. The Highway Patrol wear cowboy hats and drive like it. The municipal cops are just that and fit the stereotypes. But the Sheriffs dress just like military contractors and seem to have a much better attitude.  While the Highway Patrol and Muni’s all gave me critical looks on the loaded cycle with California plates, the guys in the Sheriff trucks smiled and waved.  Thought that was very nice and deserved a mention – even at the risk of categorizing all Texas Lawmen based on 2 day’s ride through the state on I-10! 

Speaking of Texas Lawmen, I have gone through several Border Guard check points over the past many years around the state of California. They always just wave me through (I am about as white American as they come). Today I was going through a check point where the agent asked me about my citizenship. Really not a big deal -- just unexpected. I wasn't listening at all because I didn't expect any discussion. I said "What?!?" Another agent laughed and waived me through...

Today actually was a good ride with 541 miles complete. Assuming something weird doesn’t happen with the storms (there were sporadic reports of road closures due to storms), I should hit my Florida destination a day early.

For now I am sitting in a very pretty campground just outside of Lake Charles, LA. It has big trees and all kinds of wildlife running around. I hear the crickets all around, saw 4 deer and a raccoon so far. Even has flush toilets in a very clean bathroom. My bivy is set up about 50 yards from the water. I heard from my sister that a lot of family are following my journey on this blog. So, all family members should stop reading today’s blog now.

So, for the rest of you, the water I am next two is a swamp with warning signs posted about the alligators. Honestly, I was surprised they had tent camping here – but there are actually 19 spaces designated for just tents. I keep wondering if that number correlates to the number of alligators which need fed in spite of budget cuts? Well, everyone knows how much it hurts your teeth to chew on aluminum foil, right? Just so happens that I have a survival blanket with me that is aluminum and nylon. I set that up on paracord over my mosquito net and bivy so any alligators coming for me will at least get a tooth ache!  Tune in tomorrow evening to see if my trick worked!

In the meantime, I will spend the next few minutes enjoying a cigar and Honey Jack as the lightning crackle around me. Hmm, hope the foil blanket doesn’t get me fried! Whoa, the rain just started. Time to put the PC away. Good Night!