Possum Pedal Post Ride

You know you are in Texas when--

Part of the fun of going on bike tours is seeing the various sights of new places. Since Graham is northwest of Fort Worth-Dallas, I guess it could be classified as part of the "Wild West." 

I meant to publish this right after the main Possum Pedal post but somehow got distracted and left it in drafts.

Celebrating their connection with the cattle-raising West is a statue of a cowboy with the title  "Early Morning on the Goodnight-Loving Trail." Coffee pot on the fire and cup in hand--no doubt filled with Arbuckle coffee. 

Two side stories: Arbuckle's' Arioso Blend became so popular in the old west that most cowboys didn't even know there was any other. Arbuckle is still known as the Original Cowboy Coffee. (Read any Louis L'Amour, R. O. Lane, etc. westerns). 

The other interesting story is that the Goodnight-Loving Trail began at Fort Belknap along part of the Butterfield Overland Mail trail traveling through central Texas, north along the Pecos River, into New Mexico to Colorado and later into Wyoming.

First drive was in 1866 and continued a good decade. 

I think I will stick with rubber tires.

Ahh. For the good ole days. Graham has a still active drive in movie open Fri-Sun. Funny how the lack of a car air conditioner didn't faze us long ago, but we can't imagine it now. 

 Buy your ticket at the concession stand. Smart move. Also get your pop corn and drinks while there. 

 

 "Hero". The statue of the dog outside the courthouse is honoring the military dogs that served during the "big war." 

 And a WWII memorial honor all the humans from the county that served during the war.  

 Lots of old pretty houses in the downtown area.

  

 As we were going through Albany, TX on our way home, we spotted a nice courthouse. As I have a liking for old courthouses, we turned in to get a picture. 

 We were in for a pleasant surprise. Off to the side was the original jail house. 

 Nearby was the "first permanent jail" which is now "The Old Jail Art Center." 

 The old jail art center historical plaque. 

 Outdoor sculptures abound in the area. Above is Ballet of the East Wind. 

 Granite Sun.

 Granite Sun and pregnant lady.

 The sculpture on the left is called "Conversation,"  and on the right "Picnic." No further comments necessary

 A statue I can understand and relate to--Tex The Roustabout. I worked a short time as a roustabout in the Midland oil fields until they found out I was not 21 years old and I was forced into a different occupation. 

 Long conversation

 Eve With An Apple 

 Not sure. (Not the sculpture name, I am just not sure.) 

 Age of Iron. 

OK. Time to move on down the road. So I am not the modern sculpture connoisseur. I like new and different things even if I can't understand them.

And again, a big thanks to Graham for sponsoring Possum Pedal. Will make plans to return next year. 

Tour de Honey

Tour de Honey

Beeville, Texas 

October 31, 2020

Line up time was 0830; even so it was a chilly 47 as I recall. 

Chilly forecast did not deter the cyclists, and a good number of riders showed for the tour.

I forgot how many layers of clothing Christine had, but she wasn't complaining of the chill...yet.

Most of the ride was on narrow country lanes which kept the traffic low.

Beeville is close to the Gulf coast and therefore relatively flat terrain.

Rest stops were well placed about 12 miles apart, all with friendly volunteers.

There were enough hills to keep one interested. Most were as above, long but not over 6% grade.

Nice arch entrance to another hill. The graceful live oak was dripping with Spanish moss.

There were horses behind the hay rolls that I was trying to show, but it didn't work.

Rest stop near the end of the ride. The porta-potty off to the left not in the picture, had fallen over. Didn't hear if any one was in it at the time. It would have been one of those freak accidents if so.

Nearing town and close to the finish line. Nice smooth wide shoulder. Just an example that highway departments CAN produce smooth roads if they wish. But, most use the #3 aggregate; the roughest grade they can find without resorting to cobble stones. (I feel better getting that off my chest). 

At the finish line, there was something to make all riders feel better--the Coastal Bend Distillery tasting room was open. Coastal Bend was one of the major sponsors of the ride. Thanks, even though we did not take them up on their generosity. 

What we did take them up on was the pizza lunch provided by the tour directors. T's Honkey Tonk provided beer and a place to sit while eating.\

One thing about a honkey tonk is that you never know who you will meet there.

Another impressive thing about Beeville is that all along the main streets there are pictures of residents who served or are serving in the Armed Forces. 

Christine got all excited as she spotted a WAC (Women's Army Corp) member. Christine identifies with all WAC members as revealed below.

1st Lieutenant Christine (Plumley) Jones

WAC

1971-1974 

(It is close enough to Veteran's Day (Nov. 11) that I felt it was OK to slip this in. She also served in the Berlin Brigade behind the Iron Curtain.) (Editor's note: What great hair she used to have.)

Our next treat was the attendance of local Amish who displayed a booth of Amish products. We picked up bread, honey, soap, lip balm, and, of course, chocolate chip cookies. Incidentally, the Beeville Amish are the only Amish community in Texas.

Beeville is an old community first settled in the 1830's. Present day location was established May, 1859, after the Republic of Texas's petition to join the United States was approved.

The courthouse was built around 1908 and has the distinction of the lady of justice on top as not being blindfolded as most are. No reason for this was found. \

Naval jet on courthouse lawn. Chase Naval Air Station (called Beeville Air Station at the time) trained pilots from 1943-1946. Chase operated from 1952-1992.

128 years old and still looking good.

As does this grand old house near downtown.

As if having a bicycle tour, free pizza and beer, Coastal Bend Distillery tasting room, friendly volunteers, Amish products, and yummy German food at Gasthaus Berliner Bear weren't enough to please someone, then one was probably not impressed with the gas prices in Beeville. We were impressed enough that we have another repeat tour wish list for next year. 

Thanks Beeville Tour de Honey. Keep up the good work.