31 May Ride to the Capital
First pickup at YOSA. Close up of Ken & Connie!
The bikes at 281 & 46 Ride Coordinator Mike "Rambo" Mills
On the road pics by Nancy Byrd!
6 bikes and 1 trike met up at the Exxon at 281 and 46 for the trek north. We made it to the salt lick before the crowds and enjoyed a great BBQ lunch.
Bikes at the Salt Lick in Driftwood Chowing down!
Another view inside the Salk Lick Just finished eating!
After fueling our tummies at The Salt Lick, a total of five bikes consisting of Mike and Ako Mills, Ken and Connie Jordan, Gary Lewis, Charlie and Candy Brown and Steven and Susan Ochs headed to Austin to the Capitol. Brad & Jill Severe and Tom & Nancy Byrd headed back to San Antonio. We drove some beautiful roads into the Capitol city and we saw some beautiful sites of the Capitol heading into town. The skyline was breathtaking. After some confusion about finding cheap parking, Ken and Connie decided to head back home. The rest of the group found parking near the Capitol and continued inside to look around. We had only a few minutes to wait for the next tour, so we meandered around for a bit and took some snapshots. The tour would have been wonderful but we got a tour guide that spoke with a German/Czech accent and spoke very softly and we had a hard time understanding her.
Inside the Capital building
The outside!
We looked around the Senate chamber, the House of Representative chamber, and the rotunda. Gary finished off the tour by going downstairs and got to see where the offices of the Senate and House are located. After seeing all that we could, we headed back to the bikes for our next stop, Dairy Queen in Kyle. The ice cream and cold drinks were just what we needed to cool down.
After our ice cream break, Mike decided not to head back on 35, and we rode the back roads back to San Antonio. The ride was beautiful and the scenery was beautiful. There was a cool breeze on the back roads along with some shady spots which made the ride most enjoyable. Gary and Charlie and Candy headed home after riding with us a little way down the country roads. As we neared New Braunfels, Mike asked if we would like to ride over the new bridge in Gruene and we confirmed that we would like to see it. We drove over the bridge and saw a lot of tubers on the river. We even suggested to Mike and Ako that might be a cool thing to do with the Chapter especially when it is so hot in the summer.
The day started out very pleasant and it did get rather warm later in the day but the ride was worth it. Mike and Ako thank you for the wonderful ride. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. The men enjoyed the twists and turns in the roads and the women enjoyed the scenery. I even spotted a couple of deer on the back roads and when you see wildlife you know you have a great day.
Write-up by Steve & Susan Ochs
© Copyright 2008 Chapter U, Texas District, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Inc.