17 May 08 Ride to Bella Vista Ranch
Some of the bikes lined up at YOSA. Ride information and safety briefing going on.
Guy and Joan Custer sent us pictures and this great write-up for the Bella Vista Ranch Ride. There were 15 people on 8 bikes and trikes out for Chapter U Fun!
Today was a wonderful day for a ride the temp. stayed in the mid to upper 70's all day. We traveled on the River Road which is always a nice ride. The water is always inviting and the scenery beautiful including the bikinis, I mean Bikini BeachJ We then made our way up to Wimberley by way of the back roads which is always nice, taking Fischer store road which Joan and I have traveled several times, but for some it was their first time, and every one seamed to enjoy it.
Cypress Creek Cafe for lunch!
Lots of room! Everyone adding sugar to their tea at once!
We then arrived at
Wimberley just in time to eat…imagine that! We had a most healthy meal at the
Cypress Creek Café, and you will be pleased to know that we ate only healthy
foods such as fried mushrooms, chicken fried steak, and french fries with a few
salads sitting on the table for looks.
Nice "on the road" shot! Nothing stops Olin & Marthafrom a great ride!
Just arrive, bike parking! Beautiful area!
The group relaxing! Joan Custer with Lourdes & David Merriman
Bert & Linda Navin Our ride coordinator, Mike Mills!
On tour of the ranch. Yes, olives grow on trees!
On the tour Ako checking out an artichoke?
We then proceeded to the Bella Vista ranch to experience a little Tuscany. Once there we sat under the trees outside and received a complete history of olive trees from beginning of time from the owner and operator of the ranch, Jack. While looking at some of the trees and listening to their history, he even showed us his asparagus that he was growing. Don't know what they have to do with olives but there they were there, and then we got to see the blooming artichokes….hum!!!! Then we got to taste the oil from the olives, and it slid right down, followed by trying the wine from their vineyard, and boy was it dry. It didn't taste any thing like Dr Pepper! Now what they need is a a Dr Pepper wine more to my taste. But I guess some liked it as they went back for seconds. Just when I thought I was home free, Joan decided she needed some oil and wine glasses. It must have started a rush because most of the co riders decided that a lot of our chrome money needed to be spent there. Thank goodness they didn't sell purses! I hope we don't go to the outlets too soon as I need some things for my bike.
Saddle up! Looks like a DQ stop!
After a really enjoyable day, it was time to find our way back to the Dairy Queen in Wimberley which we did, and they promptly ran out of ice cream after Joan got her Mud Slide. She didn't care after that. After a brief visitation and a few hugs at the Queen, we started our journey home and began to split in our on directions to get back to our homes. We needed to attend to the things that we had left unattended after (and not before) another successful Chapter U ride with good friends.
Thanks Guy Custer for your narrative on the fun Chapter U had on this ride. Thanks to Mike and Ako Mills for coming up with, planning, and leading this ride!
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