The actual preparations started two weeks ago when Quinten and I went to Cycle Gear to get him outfitted for the trip. He thinks he looks real cool, and I wanted him safe.
The plan was to leave Saturday the 19th at 5:00 AM. Since we got to bed late we slept in a little, -after all this is a vacation- and left right before 8:00AM.
We rode a total of 302 miles avoiding Interstates. Our trip took us thru the Piney Woods area of Texas.
http://tourtexas.com/piney.html
Not what most people think about when they think of Texas. Rolling hills, lots of trees, small towns with lots of history. By the time we rolled into Nachitoches, LA it had gotten HOT, about 97 degrees.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchitoches,_Louisiana
We checked into our "deluxe" accommodations the local Super 8 Motel. Not bad for the price... Due to an Arts and Crafts festival everything was already booked three weeks ago. But it's only 1 1/2 miles from downtown and cheap and clean.
Dinner was at The Landing a nice restaurant in the historic district. I did notice that downtown was not near as busy as on past visits. Maybe a sign of the the times, or maybe because the festival was held earlier at the University Campus. Before dinner we did a quick motorcycle sightseeing tour of downtown. It gets nicer every time I visit. Great to see the local efforts to preserve and restore. And so far it has not become too touristy.
Here are some of yesterdays picture. Most are taken by Quinten:
Click pictures to seem them full size
