hppants
Well-known member
The old people say that if you don't like the weather in the deep south, just wait a little while.
In December, that saying is certainly true. We can have temperatures ranging from 30 80, and other weather conditions can be just as varied.
This year, my University holiday break runs from December 21 through January 1. Maybe I would get a chance to do some camping on the motorcycle.
Uh...maybe not.
First, the family has me tied up at one function or another just about every day over the two week break.
And the long range weather forecast isn't looking good at all. Meanwhile, the current weather is beautiful. If I take off a day early (Friday), I can only camp one night because I have to go to Houston on Sunday and pick up my son at the airport.
A little voice in my head said:
"You better go while you got the chance."
So I listened to the voice and I had a ball!
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1, Lafayette to Boykin Springs Campground, Zavalla, TX, about 400 miles.
I packed on Thursday night so I could leave early. Temperature is about 40 at day break, and I give the light about 15 more minutes before shoving off with the heated gear and grips turned on. About a half hour in, I've got to stop and re-position my new camping bag sitting on the pillion seat.
Another 30 minutes and I stop for gas and a cup of Joe in the town of DeQuincy, Louisina, known for it's Railroad Festival held every Spring.
Rotating my camping bag 90 degrees made a huge difference in comfort.
Already close to 50 degrees, I turn off the heat and run through the pine forest into Texas.
Like any State, Texas is proud of it's history. There must be thousands of these road side historical marker signs. I stopped at a few along the way to learn something. Many of these are either cemeteries, or perhaps some kind of war marker.
I found this one to be interesting.
I thought the grass behind this church looked unseasonably dry.
I took Hwy 1414 to Burkeville, and then railed it up Hwy 87 to Hemphill. Both of these are wonderful FJR roads. A little further north, I pulled into Milam just in time for lunch.
I've eaten here a few times before and you simply must order the fried catfish special. Their batter is very light and the fish must be fresh.
Dessert is always included in your meal and today, it is red velvet cake.
No pics, but just a programming note. When in Texas, order sweet iced tea with your meals. I'm not much of a tea drinker, but those Texans know how to brew up a nice batch.
After lunch, I rode Hwy 21 to San Augustine, then took Hwy 1277 southwest toward Sam Rayburn reservoir. The weather is absolutely gorgeous and I'm enjoying the nice fresh smell of the piney woods.
My route has me going in and out of the Sabine and Angelina National Forest. Each patch of woods is bordered by plenty of cattle farming land.
Some roads are more curvy than others, but none are too technical for the FJR. Texas does a great job of maintaining their road system. I always enjoy riding there.
About 3:30 pm, I rolled into the Boykin Springs Recreational Area campground. I've camped here before and it is very nice. Today, this place is dead. There must be 100 sites at this campground, and including me, there might be only 10 utilized. This is going to be great!
After setting up my camp, I rode back to the station to pay my $6 fee. To get there, I have to ride across the Boykin Spring, but thankfully the water is very low.
On the way back, I stopped to pick up some dry sticks for firewood.
When I got back to the campground, things got dicey for a minute. Although the weather is dry now, this place has had plenty of rain lately and the ground is spongy in spots. I was having trouble finding ground hard enough to support the center stand of the bike. Wandering around, I managed to get the bike stuck in a rutt. Uh Lucie - You got some 'splaining to do...
I placed my firewood glove under the side stand to hold the bike. Then I walked to my closest neighbor about 100 yards away to ask for a push. They are a nice young couple and the lady is clearly a powder puff girl. However, she didn't pause for a second and they walked back to the bike. When I released the clutch with them behind me, the push got me out of the rutt. But in doing so, I sprayed Miss. Powder Puff with a very healthy dose of East Texas sandy clay. I was embarrassed and apologized profusely. She and her boyfriend laughed it off and I thanked them for the help.
No pictures of that from the site, but back home, you can see that the FJR does not make a very good dual sport.
Back in the campground, I gathered some more firewood and my camp saw made the chore very easy.
There is still about 30 minutes of day light left, so I walked over to the lake to look around. But first, it is Happy Hour and I feel like a cocktail. Note my 48 ounce $0.35 ice chest.
The spring bridge is nice at the campground. I got a thing for bridges, man.
The lake control structure is running nicely.
I sat down at the lakeshore and listened to the birds a while. I am content to just sit in my peace.
At dark, I mosied back to my camp and freshened up my tottie.
Then I lit the heater and sat down to think about the meaning of life.
Still full from lunch, I decided to put a can of soup on the fire coals and call it dinner.
After dinner, I lit my pipe, poured myself another rye whiskey, and tended my fire in total silence. It was a very nice evening. I turned in about 9:30 to dream about the continuing adventure.
Day 2, Boykin Springs Recreational Area to Lafayette, LA, about 400 miles.
The temperature dropped about midnight and I had to get out of the bag to put on my long handles. Otherwise, it was a peaceful night and I woke up at my typical 5:30 am rested and excited.
I turned on the bike key to see 31 degrees. So I stoked up my fire and fixed myself a cup of coffee.
In no hurry to go anywhere, I fixed a second cup of coffee and made a simple breakfast.
I broke camp and left the site at about 8:30 and 35 degrees. I rode around Sam Rayburn reservoir scouting other campgrounds. I did find plenty of places that would work well during the Spring or Fall.
The weather is wonderful and I am really enjoying the day.
I get a kick out of the post offices in these little one horse towns.
I also enjoyed looking at the name of some of the ranches in these parts.
As you can see, I am in no rush to get home.
Can you blame me?
I ignored the No Trespassing sign at the head of this drive and walked a few hundred yards. I couldn't help myself. It's just looked so inviting.
My big red horse will keep an eye on things at the road for me.
In Center, Texas, I stopped for gas. All of these little towns have a square in the middle. The courthouse is always in the center of the square.
There is also at least one bank. I like the architecture on this one.
Here is a cool old school movie theatre that is still open.
I asked a nice lady to recommend a good lunch place. She asked me if I like Tex Mex. Heck yeah, I responded. So she pointed me here
This place has one of those menus where there are 120 choices, each with a number on it. I got confused, so when the waitress approached:
(Pants) "I cant find the menu number, but I want soft tacos with fajita beef, rice, and beans."
(Waitress) "Oh See Senore you want a number 63."
(Pants) "Well I'll be dammed - there it is, exactly what I asked for."
After lunch, I geared up and did a little more of this.
And some of this.
I saw a few of these
And plenty of these.
And a bunch of these.
And dont forget these.
I crossed into Louisiana over Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Pendleton Bridge. I stopped a couple of times in the Kistachie National forest.
With the sun setting fast on these short days, I slabbed the last 70 miles to get home before dark.
All told, it was about 800 miles in 2 days. I had only myself for company and that was plenty enough. Truthfully, the solitude was very nice. Now the rain has started and there is no end in sight. Family and friends are starting to get into Christmas mode, and I fear there may not be another opportunity for a bike ride any time soon.
But that's ok. I got my chance, and I took it.
Stay thirsty, my friends.
In December, that saying is certainly true. We can have temperatures ranging from 30 80, and other weather conditions can be just as varied.
This year, my University holiday break runs from December 21 through January 1. Maybe I would get a chance to do some camping on the motorcycle.
Uh...maybe not.
First, the family has me tied up at one function or another just about every day over the two week break.
And the long range weather forecast isn't looking good at all. Meanwhile, the current weather is beautiful. If I take off a day early (Friday), I can only camp one night because I have to go to Houston on Sunday and pick up my son at the airport.
A little voice in my head said:
"You better go while you got the chance."
So I listened to the voice and I had a ball!
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1, Lafayette to Boykin Springs Campground, Zavalla, TX, about 400 miles.
I packed on Thursday night so I could leave early. Temperature is about 40 at day break, and I give the light about 15 more minutes before shoving off with the heated gear and grips turned on. About a half hour in, I've got to stop and re-position my new camping bag sitting on the pillion seat.
Another 30 minutes and I stop for gas and a cup of Joe in the town of DeQuincy, Louisina, known for it's Railroad Festival held every Spring.
Rotating my camping bag 90 degrees made a huge difference in comfort.
Already close to 50 degrees, I turn off the heat and run through the pine forest into Texas.
Like any State, Texas is proud of it's history. There must be thousands of these road side historical marker signs. I stopped at a few along the way to learn something. Many of these are either cemeteries, or perhaps some kind of war marker.
I found this one to be interesting.
I thought the grass behind this church looked unseasonably dry.
I took Hwy 1414 to Burkeville, and then railed it up Hwy 87 to Hemphill. Both of these are wonderful FJR roads. A little further north, I pulled into Milam just in time for lunch.
I've eaten here a few times before and you simply must order the fried catfish special. Their batter is very light and the fish must be fresh.
Dessert is always included in your meal and today, it is red velvet cake.
No pics, but just a programming note. When in Texas, order sweet iced tea with your meals. I'm not much of a tea drinker, but those Texans know how to brew up a nice batch.
After lunch, I rode Hwy 21 to San Augustine, then took Hwy 1277 southwest toward Sam Rayburn reservoir. The weather is absolutely gorgeous and I'm enjoying the nice fresh smell of the piney woods.
My route has me going in and out of the Sabine and Angelina National Forest. Each patch of woods is bordered by plenty of cattle farming land.
Some roads are more curvy than others, but none are too technical for the FJR. Texas does a great job of maintaining their road system. I always enjoy riding there.
About 3:30 pm, I rolled into the Boykin Springs Recreational Area campground. I've camped here before and it is very nice. Today, this place is dead. There must be 100 sites at this campground, and including me, there might be only 10 utilized. This is going to be great!
After setting up my camp, I rode back to the station to pay my $6 fee. To get there, I have to ride across the Boykin Spring, but thankfully the water is very low.
On the way back, I stopped to pick up some dry sticks for firewood.
When I got back to the campground, things got dicey for a minute. Although the weather is dry now, this place has had plenty of rain lately and the ground is spongy in spots. I was having trouble finding ground hard enough to support the center stand of the bike. Wandering around, I managed to get the bike stuck in a rutt. Uh Lucie - You got some 'splaining to do...
I placed my firewood glove under the side stand to hold the bike. Then I walked to my closest neighbor about 100 yards away to ask for a push. They are a nice young couple and the lady is clearly a powder puff girl. However, she didn't pause for a second and they walked back to the bike. When I released the clutch with them behind me, the push got me out of the rutt. But in doing so, I sprayed Miss. Powder Puff with a very healthy dose of East Texas sandy clay. I was embarrassed and apologized profusely. She and her boyfriend laughed it off and I thanked them for the help.
No pictures of that from the site, but back home, you can see that the FJR does not make a very good dual sport.
Back in the campground, I gathered some more firewood and my camp saw made the chore very easy.
There is still about 30 minutes of day light left, so I walked over to the lake to look around. But first, it is Happy Hour and I feel like a cocktail. Note my 48 ounce $0.35 ice chest.
The spring bridge is nice at the campground. I got a thing for bridges, man.
The lake control structure is running nicely.
I sat down at the lakeshore and listened to the birds a while. I am content to just sit in my peace.
At dark, I mosied back to my camp and freshened up my tottie.
Then I lit the heater and sat down to think about the meaning of life.
Still full from lunch, I decided to put a can of soup on the fire coals and call it dinner.
After dinner, I lit my pipe, poured myself another rye whiskey, and tended my fire in total silence. It was a very nice evening. I turned in about 9:30 to dream about the continuing adventure.
Day 2, Boykin Springs Recreational Area to Lafayette, LA, about 400 miles.
The temperature dropped about midnight and I had to get out of the bag to put on my long handles. Otherwise, it was a peaceful night and I woke up at my typical 5:30 am rested and excited.
I turned on the bike key to see 31 degrees. So I stoked up my fire and fixed myself a cup of coffee.
In no hurry to go anywhere, I fixed a second cup of coffee and made a simple breakfast.
I broke camp and left the site at about 8:30 and 35 degrees. I rode around Sam Rayburn reservoir scouting other campgrounds. I did find plenty of places that would work well during the Spring or Fall.
The weather is wonderful and I am really enjoying the day.
I get a kick out of the post offices in these little one horse towns.
I also enjoyed looking at the name of some of the ranches in these parts.
As you can see, I am in no rush to get home.
Can you blame me?
I ignored the No Trespassing sign at the head of this drive and walked a few hundred yards. I couldn't help myself. It's just looked so inviting.
My big red horse will keep an eye on things at the road for me.
In Center, Texas, I stopped for gas. All of these little towns have a square in the middle. The courthouse is always in the center of the square.
There is also at least one bank. I like the architecture on this one.
Here is a cool old school movie theatre that is still open.
I asked a nice lady to recommend a good lunch place. She asked me if I like Tex Mex. Heck yeah, I responded. So she pointed me here
This place has one of those menus where there are 120 choices, each with a number on it. I got confused, so when the waitress approached:
(Pants) "I cant find the menu number, but I want soft tacos with fajita beef, rice, and beans."
(Waitress) "Oh See Senore you want a number 63."
(Pants) "Well I'll be dammed - there it is, exactly what I asked for."
After lunch, I geared up and did a little more of this.
And some of this.
I saw a few of these
And plenty of these.
And a bunch of these.
And dont forget these.
I crossed into Louisiana over Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Pendleton Bridge. I stopped a couple of times in the Kistachie National forest.
With the sun setting fast on these short days, I slabbed the last 70 miles to get home before dark.
All told, it was about 800 miles in 2 days. I had only myself for company and that was plenty enough. Truthfully, the solitude was very nice. Now the rain has started and there is no end in sight. Family and friends are starting to get into Christmas mode, and I fear there may not be another opportunity for a bike ride any time soon.
But that's ok. I got my chance, and I took it.
Stay thirsty, my friends.
Last edited by a moderator:
