Day 28 - Lost Maples to Kerrville, TX

Mitch took pity on us today and shortened the route, 50 miles to Kerrville, where thankfully there is cell phone service. It was good to be able to check in at home.
When we rolled out of camp, almost immediately we had a steady one mile climb of 1000 feet. Andre estimated the grade at 10%. Definitely warmed us up! We then rode about 20 miles along a ridgetop in clouds. Took my glasses off because of the heavy mist. Reminded me of the Appalachians, with the rocky soil, sparse trees, curvy road and views down. This area has exotic game ranches (see first ranch photo) - the high fences are to keep the animals in. Later we saw our first honest-to-goodness longhorn (see photo). A friendly fellow, he posed for pics, then ambled over to say hi.
Carol was riding lead when a white-tailed deer ran across the road right in front of her. Later we passed a fence with a cowboy boot on each fence post. The closest a cowboy's soul/sole gets to heaven!
We commandeered a table at the Hunt Store. Mitch pulled up with the van and joined us. In the picture are (left to right) Mitch, Andre, Julie, Bob Pedersen, Bob G, Ken, Linda and Jerry. Others were out of the picture or about to arrive. Bob Plant spotted a bathtub used to ice beer, and asked Mitch to get one for our trailer. Several riders bought packages of locally-grown organic pecans (see photos).
The next section was 20 miles on state route 30. Looking at the map, which showed streams going in our direction, I confidently predicted "downhill all the way". Not! We dipped into one stream bed after another, only to have a steep climb out, often well up the hillside. Texas DOT must require 5% grades at all streams (smile). We were paralleling the Guadalupe River, which is wide enough to attract weekend cottages and swim in (see photo).
We are officially in the Texas Hill Country (see photo). It was also nice to see a "share the road" sign that had a bicycle and not a motorcycle (photo).
Coming into Kerrville, we passed a warehouse with a number of excellent murals, each telling of a period in local history. The photo shows a mural of soldiers using camels in this area in the 1800s.
Folks like their weapons here, as the gun shop photos show.
Germans settled the Hill Country in the 1800s. German was spoken, and the newspapers were in that language. The business name in the photo reflects the heritage. We are camped tonight in Kerrville Schreiner Park, a stone's throw from the Guadalupe River. Strange to see canoes after days of dry arroyos!
Mitch and Julianne are treating us to dinner tonight, to celebrate the halfway mark. Stay tuned
Bruce