The Big Finish

My time riding in Texas was nothing like I had envisioned it to be.  I am not sure what I had expected it to be. Who knows, cowboys riding horses in the fields with all the cattle and oil wells. Sounds kind of silly doesn't it... I did see lots of cattle and at times had conversations with them when the music being piped into my ears wasn't what I wished to hear.
On Wednesday, I left Orange TX right on schedule, knowing I had a 100 miles to do. I did not want to be late. I was surprised to find the beautiful wide shoulders are covered with white rock. It made my ride feel like I was riding with the brakes on. it was a lot of work. Once I got off the that road I turned into the ranch land. And it was a lot of ranch land that went on and on and on. And then the clouds started to thicken and get darker and darker and then the sprinkles started and there was nothing around. All the drives that went to any out building was chained shut. I was really starting to worry with the first clap of thunder. Then in the distance out of nowhere, near Winnie, a house showed up with a big front porch.
I parked my bike under one of the big trees then ran to the front porch and rang the door bell. No answer. Big clap of thunder and I rang it again. I decided to wait. There were dogs inside the house, barking like crazy. I was very thankful they were inside. I stayed on that porch for nearly and hour and a half waiting for the weather to clear. The house was at an intersection and many people noticed me, but only one asked if I needed help. I just told her I was waiting out the storm. She left. I left my Card for AllBecauseWeCan on the porch so she will have some idea when people ask about it later, well maybe she will.
Having been stopped for so long put me behind for that 1.5 hrs. That made the stress of the rest of the ride that much harder.
I did finally make the ferry at Port Bolivar at 8:45 PM for the 9 pm ferry. Talking to the crew, I let then know about my ride and the blog and that I had started in Orange that morning, they boarded me first and disembarked me first as well. Many of the passengers on the ferry came to talk to me too, during the ride to Galveston. It was a very nice finish to a very long day.
I was thrilled to know going to bed that I didn't have to worry about the weather for the next day, plus I would get to \sleep a little later since Breakfast at The Scottish Inn is not until 7:00 AM.
Thursday wasn't a happy morning for me since I slept a little later, knowing breakfast would be later. But my laundry didn't dry, so I had to use the blow dryer on some important things. Then I turned on the news to find out that, of all things, the weather men were wrong and there is another big storm going to pass through late in the afternoon. (Humpf) I would have started sooner if they had said that last night.
I quickly pack up. Eat instant oatmeal, bad coffee and a banana. I fill my water cups and off I go heading down the coast, praying for a back wind. There is 42 of the 69 miles for the day straight down Galveston beach it could be a tough day.  So off I went knowing I only have 2 more days to ride. Just as quickly as the day before, the clouds came up. but at least this time there were houses and buildings and places I could get out of the weather and not get totally wet. I managed to get to my turning point off the island and stop in at a gas station that conveniently had hot dogs/sausage dogs and corn dogs. I was in heaven for about the first 30 minutes then at 2 hours I was not so happy. I gave up and started back off with just a little drizzle that did stop just down the road. I made 5 miles and the bottom fell out again.  This time I got introduced to Buc-ee. Very nice place to waste another 2 hours.  By now I have talked to Tarra. Very frustrated since she is meeting me in Bay City to start the final leg.
Once again it did stop. This time the sky cleared. it got beautiful and I was able to pump out the miles. We got checked into Bay City and Called it a night. I had had enough of the weather men for awhile.
Tomorrow is another day.
Friday was the perfect day for riding. There was just a light breeze, not a cloud in the sky and sun everywhere. Tarra would ride a few miles ahead, hang her sign out the window then hoot and holler as I rode by. She even managed to get a crowd every now and then. By the end of the day all kinds of people were honking and waving as we passed.
Justin came and met us for lunch and joined the crew. He would stop traffic as he felt necessary
Then the route coincidentally, took me right by Clay's school so the reporter from Victoria's The Advocate, Laura Garcia, met us for an interview and Clay finished the ride in his mothers car.
Today is actually the day after, and my body isn't sure what is it supposed to be doing. My legs are thinking about going on strike after 21 days of continuous circular movement, they don't know what to do with just walking and riding in cars and sitting.
Today, my daughter Tarra,  Clay's mother, took me shopping for clothes to wear for the duration of my stay. Traveling light meant I only brought the bare necessities, 2 changes of riding clothes and sweats to sleep in.  Shopping was a must.
We stopped at the gym where Tarra works out regularly, Citizen's Health Plex. The young lady at the counter asked if I was the woman on the front page of the newspaper. I knew it was on line but was surprised to hear it was in print too. I guess it just made the story more real for me somehow.
I cried.
Of course we went straight to the store and picked up several copies!