On a tour you keep pedaling along.  As long and you are walking, coasting, or pedaling, the rubber is moving along. Your little efforts move you along to your destination.  I have been plugging along on the Southern Tier starting at the end of September.  On October 22 I enter the west part of Texas.  One thousand miles later I am now in Louisiana. I have now traveled over 2000 miles on this route.  The sites have been interesting. 

This area too was a lumber area.  The railroad came to this section of the state and created Bon Wier. The name comes from the two last names of founders.  Now I cross the river and into Louisiana.

In De Ridder the elevation is 203'.  This was a town of over 10,000 and it had many good services.  This town was named after a railroad financier.  It seems like so many towns on my western routes have names somehow connected to the railroad.  It was the railroad that opened so many areas.

Take a break to see something interesting and then back on the road. ​​https://forestheritagemuseum.org/

As we were picking up supplies in the store, we were approached by a minister to offer the church yard for our tents.  We stayed at the church above. What a nice offer.  We could use the restroom and hand wash our clothes. 

This is at Washington on the Brazos, the location of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836.  As I am reading about this area, I read that still 1/3 of those in this area during the 2020 census are of German descent.  Awhile back we went through  a town that emphasized the German heritage.  After revolts in 1848 in Germany, many immigrated to the United States.

Navasota is a town of 7643 based on the 2020 census.  It is 219' above sea level. It was designated "Blues Capital of Texas" by the legislature  because the blues artist, Mance Lipscomb, was born near there.  The downtown  of Anderson has been designated as a historical district  and the courthouse is shown  below.

This is one of the four National Forests in Texas and we are in 163,000 acres of beautiful forest. The Lone Star Hiking Trail goes for over 128 miles near here.  We are only 50 miles north of Houston. 

We did hit some rolling hills and these always feel worse with a loaded bike.  We have covered 1600 miles and we are halfway on the Southern Tier.

This was a surprise.  I knew we were coming up to Johnson City, but I did not make a connection. I have visited several childhood homes of US Presidents and I wanted to take the time to see this one. 

The Pedernales River runs 106 miles in central Texas flowing west to east. It is a tributary of the Colorado River. This part of the river is calm.  North of here is the Pedernales Falls State Park.  It is too far out of our way.  We are anxious to get to Austin.

Austin is not as big as Phoenix, but as we got closer the roads get busier and have more debris in the shoulder.  There are places where the shoulder disappears.  Traveling along sidewalks can be sketchy because do not look for bikes there.  I always try to take the road and pull over on the cautious side.  These segments are much slower and I get more anxious.

I wondered about this river.  I found out that this river is the 18th longest in the US and runs for 862 miles in Texas.. The map below shows its flow.  Colorado is Spanish for reddish river.. This is not the same river as another Colorado River.

The forest areas near here supplied the cities of Austin and San Antonio in the early days of development of these cities.

This area economy includes mining, quarrying, and oil /gas extraction.  The train stop helped to grow the town of Giddings.  Now a town of 5000 and at 505'

Time and health keep me from doing some tours.  I am still glad to be able to ride daily.  During the colder weather I am riding on my tour bike on the trainer.  The Southern Tier is shortest of the coast to coast bike routes.  I started this tour on October 9, 2022 and I have covered over 1500 miles.

 This day was more hilly than some of the recent days.  The Nueces and Frio Rivers have helped to carve this hilly section. Some hills were so long that I would stop to catch my breath and sometimes I walked the hill. The hills are hard, but I love the downhill coasting.  A loaded bike adds to your momentum.  If you take the gray route it will take you toward Garner State Park.  This is a popular area and you will find camping.  ​https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garner_State_Park

It is good to ask the locals about what lies ahead.  We may be accustomed to gas stations which will provide snacks and beverage.  The probably will have some canned food or a dairy case. Most town can support a bar or restaurant.  Today we learned that Vanderpool, our destination, did not have many services.

Frio means cold in Spanish.  This river runs just in Texas for 200 miles.  It is a favorite source of recreation.  

How do you like your pecans.  I will take them in a salad and pie.  I will cut them up and put in my morning steel cut oats to get me out of the camp until I find a breakfast spot.

https://lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com/history  There are 60 classic motorcycles on display.

Just 5 miles north of Vanderpool is the Lost Maples State Park. There are close to 3000 acres of hills and canyons along the Sabinal River in the Edwards Plateau. 

Taking shadow photos are not as easy as you think; try it the next time you are on a bumpy road with a loaded bike.  It is easier when you are on a level and straight road.  You can see by the elevation profile above that we started with a very steep incline.  This was another time to walk the bike. When I am going that slow, I can enjoy my surroundings by walking.  It is easy to stop to catch my breath.

We followed this river and crossed it several times.  The elevation profile does not show the short steep climbs that result as the road descends and rises from river crossings.  I ended walking some of these that work for a car, but not me on a bike  I try to keep from pedaling in zone 4 or 5.  I need to make it too my destination.

Kerrville is referred to as the capitol of the Texas Hill Country.  The city  boasts a population of over 24,000.  A wonderful spot to recharge and resupply.

I enjoy see local spots of interest.  I am not just about the miles. I like to see what might interest me when I go through a place.   This museum following the styles of Remington and Russell with primarily painting and sculture.

Texas is so big and this map helps me to better understand the location.  I still have a ways to go before I get to the next state,  Fredericksburg was started by Germans and that influence can still be seen today.  The city has over 11,000 people.  1693' elevation.  Today it is 46 degrees.

This is a statue of Admiral Nimitz, who was the commander of the Pacific during World War II.  He was born in the town and that is the reason for the museum.  I enjoyed the exhibits.  This town was very interesting and  good break in the riding routine.  I am re-energized.

The temperature today in 45 degrees and in Michigan it is 35.  That 10 degree difference will be appreciated.  Yesterday Michigan had 52 degrees.  Sometimes there is not much difference.

The reservoir is surrounded by the Amstad National Recreation Area run by the National Park Service.  The lake was created in 1969 and is a popular site for recreation and the land for hunting.

It has been awhile since we were in such a big city.  On the top of the list of places to find in the city is a bike shop.  A quick look at the bike by expert eyes may spot a problem. Do I need more tubes or lube?  We had a great selection of food choices.  We also have more choices on accommodations.

An operational fort existed here 1852-1946. It was the base of the Buffalo Soldiers, which was the name given to the African-American cavalry.  This statue commemorates their service. After integration of the forces this was home of the last horse mounted unit.

Alamo Village is no longer open to the public on a daily basis, but it is rented for special events.  This is a replica of the Alamo, which is actually in San Antonio. This area has been a set for some movies.  I remember it from the movie The Alamo that I saw as a kid.

This river runs for 315 miles through the Texas Hill Country.  The Adventure Cycling  Association which is still to the east of here,