Day 8, Fredricksburg, Luckenbach and Rocks

Janet was visiting her daughter and grandchildren today, so Tricia and I were off to ride up to Fredricksburg, a small town of German heritage about 25 miles away. We didn't really know where we were going, but it looked fairly straightforward when we looked on the map. And we also wanted to go to Luckenbach. I can't even think that word without adding, Waylon, Willie and the Boys! LOL.

16 North took us right into Frericksburg, on 290. What a fabulous little town. Even the Welcome sign had German on it.

Welcome.

The shops were cute and we decided we'd go to Luckenbach and then come back here for lunch and a walkabout. We missed the Luckenbach Loop Rd. It looked like a dirt road, so I figured, oh that can't be it. But it was, so we had to turn around after we rode a few more miles and I realized either that was it, or we weren't going to find it at all. We were heading to some other small Texas town by now. The road in looks like dirt, but I think it's old pavement, covered in Texas dust!

We saw this sign A LOT in Texas, at various establishments.

Old fashioned cash register, from the days when people had to know how to make change!

I want a mailbox for my bills like that!

Hondo? I thought it said Honda!

Cowboy graffiti.

Wow this looks comfy, NAWT!

We had a great time visiting Luckenback, there was even a cat sitting up on a shelf that I thought was a stuffed cat, until he moved! It has a working post office so I got a couple post cards to mail to folks.

Time for lunch had us riding back into Fredricksburg. I wanted to eat at a German establishment so we wandered around a bit until we found one we thought would work! No surprise inside to find a bunch of Motor Maids. Some other Floridians and a couple of the Michigan girls, including Deb.

We tried to hook up with Sonia, Catherine Lee's sister, who lives in this quaint little town, but we played a bit of phone tag and never did connect. Catherine told me Sonia managed to talk to Gracie, and Janet, and also to Gloria Struck, from NJ, on her 89th birthday! So all was not lost in introducing Sonia to her sister's motorcycle gang! LOL

Tricia found her a man! And he don't talk back!

German cuisine. Goulash, cabbage, and noodles. Tricia had a hot pastrami sandwich on black bread and we shared.

After we finished lunch, we went riding in search of Enchanted Rock. I was disappointed to find rocks, but no enchanted or magical rocks. I don't think we went far enough to find the park, or we passed it, but in any case we didn't find it. No matter, we had another great day exploring and riding in Texas. We headed back to Kerrville for the afternoon.

I saw some deer grazing in a field, about 10 of them. Weird to see in the middle of the hot afternoon.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I mean the Inn, we hung out around the pool for the afternoon. No pictures of any of us in bathing suits were taken, to protect the innocent.

Fountain area in hotel courtyard.

Bridge over untroubled waters...

Tomorrow we had an 8 AM meeting for our election process and it was a night to socialize and enjoy some Motor Maid dancing in the pub.

Motor Maids dancing the night away.

Day 7, Business, Bistro & Parade

Denise Pelrine and Catherine Lawrence arrived last night and I saw my Michigan girls, Deb and Pauline! Deb only rode 46 miles on her bike, after her foot surgery, before she left for Texas. You go girl!

Now that registration was over and the convention officially opened, we were in for a busy day of meetings, the group photo and the parade. We had an early morning business meeting, from 8 AM till 12. That meant getting in for a quick breakfast early. The place was slammed, all of us trying to eat at the same time. Appetites are bigger in Texas. 

The dining room, outside tables.

In the meeting the Red Ribbons were recognized, some business was discussed, and then Lynne Campbell (on behalf of the ACMM's) gave a brief talk about next year's convention, our 75th, in Moncton, NB, Canada. The only bid for 2016 was Santa Fe, New Mexico. Wow, that sounded super far away, but turns out it's only about 400 more miles than Kerrville, TX. I found that out as soon as it was announced, because folks around me were checking out maps on their tablets! LOL. I was excited though, because I realized it might be possible after all. It'll be 200 miles less than Moncton for me and I haven't ridden out there in some of those states, YET!.

Officers in uniforms of old....

History table.

Travelling quilt.

History table.

Uniforms. Don't even ask about the overalls...

ACMM girls working hard!

Elizabeth sell, sell, selling.

Christine and her 10 gallon hat.

Howdy Y'all.

We walked over to the Bistro for lunch. It's right on the Guadalupe River, a beautiful spot.

Lynne getting ready to enjoy lunch at the Bistro.

Janet G., Christine, Lynne & Elizabeth at the Bistro.

Guadalupe River, view from Bistro.

Tricia at the Bistro.

River view, Guadalupe, from Bistro.

Christine washing her bike.

Lynne washing her bike.

Christine.

My bike all cleaned up.

Lynne looking very serious washing her bike. She told me she'd rather be out riding than cleaning.
But we wanted our bikes half clean for the parade, so we made the attempt to shine them up!

Lining up for the parade.

The parade to the VA Hospital was wonderful. A bit faster through town that it could have been, but we had great turnout from the resident's and it was a honor to escort Wounded Warriors and their families to the VA. Then we visited with some of the Veterans. No pictures of them, though we took several, because of HIPAA regulations.

Getting ready to roll.

Elizabeth.

Kathy helping Elizabeth get dressed? In the parking lot? LOL

Now we're ready.

Selfie!

Here's a video of the parade as it arrived at the VA. I'm at about minute 5, second 30.

Motor Maid Parade Kerrville, TX 74th Convention

Some Canadian Lovelies!

After the parade, Tricia and Janet and I were starved. I hadn't had anything since my salad at lunch at the Bistro, so we opted to head into town for a bite to eat. I wanted some pie from Billie Gene's cause I'd heard it was great. Lo and behold, 9:30 PM and it was closed. So was the Mexican place we stopped at and a couple other places. Wow this town closes early. We found a Chili's and snuck in before their 10 PM close and managed to get a bite to eat. Then Janet and I went to Wal-Mart, which is open 24/7, go figure, so Janet could buy a rolling suitcase and I could buy some wine! Priorities people, priorities!