Here we are! Spring 2026 already!
The April rain has brought on some beautiful flowers. First the Blue Bonnets and Paint Brushes next the Indian Blankets and the yellow ones. Not sure of the name?
Anyway, it’s a great time of the year. Back to the last trip. As you recall, a major breakdown on the way home from Daytona. The exhaust broke off and the shifter stripped out.
We ordered all the parts and got them installed by Randy and Eli at “Bad Attitude Cycles” in Fredericksburg. A good job done by them. So I’m back on the road again.
One of the first events of Spring is Fandango. This event is held at the Gillespie county fairgrounds in Fredericksburg. The event features antique motorcycles and a large swap meet. Friday starts with the swap meet and Saturday is motorcycle races. It also includes a chopper race. This race is basically a 100 yard dash. A lot of dirt is being thrown in the air!
Inside one of the buildings there is an antique motorcycle show. Everything from Harleys and Indians to metric bikes.
This show runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. A lot of fun for the buck! Rick at Pecan Grove also features music on Saturday afternoon and evening.
The next event I attend is the 38th annual Run For Wheels in Lake Somerville. This year I made the run by myself. The other guys were already committed. Made my normal run through Johnson City and Dripping Springs.
Over by Austin at Convict Hill, they have made great improvements on the highway. They have constructed a flyover in the area to avoid the traffic light congestion. A great improvement.
Onward we go to Bastrop. They need to improve this area as well. Traffic lights really restrict the flow of traffic. I made it to Bucees in Bastrop. Always a pleasant stop to stretch the legs. I call “Cannonball” for a stop at the American Legion Hall. He is busy and can’t make it.
I forge ahead through Giddings and Burton. I cut off at Burton on Hwy 1948. The scenic route to Lake Somerville. I checked into the Best Value Inn in Lake Somerville. The boys from South Carolina are waiting in the parking lot. We have Jimmy, Bruce. Blake and Dennis.
We load up and ride to the Watering Hole in Snook. About a 10 mile ride down the road. We met up with other old friends, J. D., Bruce, Teach and others. We swap stories for a bit and it’s off to the next stop.
The event is held on the northwest corner of the lake. We run north to Lyons and hang a left. The venue overlooks the lake with camping and RV space available. The bandstand is overlooking the lake. The band included an older fellow playing the lead guitar. He was most impressive. We visited with some old time friends, then it was off to dinner next door to the motel. Gumbo was in order for me. I don’t like to eat heavy food at night.
The next morning, it was Bloody Mary’s. always a good way to start the morning! It’s off to breakfast next, right up the road to Mama’s Kitchen. After some biscuits and gravy its poker run time.
The first stop is at Bottle Necks, about 20 miles up the road at Deanville. A good venue with a large patio outside.
The next stop was to be at the American Legion. The problem was that we were too early! We aborted this stop and went straight to the Watering Hole.
We had more food at this stop and met up with more old friends. We ride back to the motel and regroup and rest a bit.
Later in the evening we have friends stop by the lobby to chat and tell war stories. We didn’t make it back to the rally because it was getting dark. So we had another round! Most of my friends there were friends of 30 plus years! It’s always great to get together.
The next morning, time to say good-by. The boys from South Carolina pack up and head back east. Destination for the night Vicksburg, Mississippi, about 600 miles! Everybody goes their separate way. I travel back west. I am hoping that traffic won’t be too bad going back since it’s Sunday!
Traveling back was a breeze! I took a side trip to Comfort to the Cocky Rooster. I had to have one of those Bloody Mary’s before I got home. Met with a few friends and it’s off to home!.
The next event we attended was the Ted Nugent concert at the 11th street bar in Bandera. Matt and Tammy arranged the get together. We had a table for 8 reserved. Neil, Carrie, “Easy G”, Sherry, “Dormlady”, Matt, Tammy, Alicia, “Trouble” and myself.
A great show, he played all the old stuff and ended up with “Stranglehold” only fitting. It was a late night for me, I arrived home around 1:30am. That is way past my bedtime.
We attended another music event in Austin a couple months back. “Bronco Bryan” got us tickets to see Kenny Wayne Shepard. Neil “Roadrunner” and I went to Bryans and rode with him to Austin. The concert was held at the Austin City Limits downtown. We arrived early, So we hit a local tavern for a warmup drink.
You got to know where you’re going in this town! Parking is a nightmare, but “Bronco” knew just where to turn.
Inside Jimmy Vaughan opened up with the music. It all got better from there. Kenny come on, what a talented person. This guy is impressive. He played a bunch of songs and ended up with Blue on Black, one of my
favorites.
A great concert. I am glad “Bronco” was driving. We made it back to Bryan’s house with no issues. We crashed at Bryan RV for the evening.
The next morning we rolled towards home. We make a stop at Leroy’s by Stonewall.
We have a couple of those signature margaritas to get the head straight.
Anyway, another good adventure was had.
I will be headed to Silver City, New Mexico in about 2 weeks from this writing.
Like I always say,
LIVE LIFE TO THE HILT, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS YOUR LAST TRIP!
RIDE FREE AND RIDE OFTEN
DAD TO THE BONE
DAD
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