We are getting more efficient each morning so by 5:35 a.m. we were on the road (having awoken at 5). It was dark so we proceeded with caution. Good thing! The deer warning signs actually mean more than the wishful thinking of the great State of Texas. Not more than 30 minutes out of Fort Stockton we had our first confrontation with wildlife. Slamming on brakes we came to a halt a few feet away from a deer literally frozen in our headlights. We soon realized that there were plenty of deer just off the freeway and a few feet from certain decimation (more mess than a few bugs on the windsheild). Some of the deer were very messy casualties of 4x4s with "deer guard" grills (like on the old locomotives) and caused us to be constantly watching in the half-light of dawn.
After the sun came up we realized that the scenery had changed as we moved east. Greener, trees, and more rolling hills. Headed for Austin, the ride was totally enjoyable.
We reached Dripping Springs, Texas, (24 miles west of Austin) home for Brent (Sheri's brother), Lorraine and Brandi Townsend by lunch and enjoyed sandwiches in the garden setting of "Rolling in Thyme and Dough". It is a wonderful gardening shop/cafe run by a Belgian baker (found in the "boulangerie" in back of the converted cottage) that served delicious sandwiches annd unforgetable coconut macaroons (along with plants and shrubs). Notice the water bottle. These folks appear to think highly of their fine little community.
After lunch we rode into the Austin Harley and Honda dealerships (next door to each other) where we had arranged for servicing the bikes (George gloated when his was finished an hour earlier and $100 cheaper, I on the other hand got an hour nap and said you get what you pay for and I hope he has an extra litre/quart of oil). We thought this a prudent move, as well as providing us with the assurance that our two-wheeled road machines were in good shape for the days ahead.
Before going to supper at a great restaurant, Satellite, that Brandi used to work at, we enjoyed a cool beverage on the deck. Texans (even transplanted ones) certainly showed us wonderful hospitality.
Tomorrow we leave the State and enter the "South".