Taos, New Mexico to Lubbock, Texas

Saturday June 2

The last time I drove in Texas was during the sixties. I forgot how big and flat the state is. However, a person has to love the speed limit – 70 mph or 112 km. Some major highways are 75 – yippee. And that is on two lane roads. Colorado was mostly 55 – what a pain.

While driving down the highway a motorcycle pulled in behind me and stayed there for over 100 miles. As we were motoring towards a gas stop, I flagged him forward to invite him for a coffee. He accepted. This was the first time I have met someone at 75 miles per hour. Anyway, Mike lives in Waco, Texas and is a Deputy Sheriff. He has been riding for only 3 years and has almost 60,000 miles on his 2003 motorcycle. Nice guy – we had our coffee, he went east and I went south to Lubbock. Good fun.

For me, what made Lubbock interesting were the people I met while at dinner. Went to Dennys (I know, I know and “Yes” I did get sick from the food). The young man serving me asked where I was from and I then asked him how he happened to be working at Dennys. He then started to tell me his life story about how he is living in a halfway house and has been clean and sober for nine months. He was so proud of himself that he is getting his life on track. Nice kid. Hope he has continued success.

Then there was Karen and John, a senior couple from Austin. They saw the motorcycle and approached me. They are past Goldwing riders. Gave me several tips as to what a person can see and do in Austin. They even invited me to stay with them while I was in Austin. I respectfully declined (but it could have been fund) At the end of the conversation, they gave me their business card and said, “if I needed any help while in Austin – give them a call.” A super couple.

Now on to bed. Tomorrow Austin.

Daily Miles: 375
Accumulated Miles: 2,400