I spent the past few days driving through the Texas Hill Country, from San Antonio north to Ft Worth, where I am tonight. The terrain varies quite a bit, from being very rugged south and west to more flat and rolling hills as you go north. I have some observations after having spent nearly the past week in the great state of Texas:
1. Speed limits. They didn't order a lot of speed limit signs that begin with a "5" in Texas. County and secondary roads often have posted speed limits at 70 mph. In Vermont, or Minnesota where I grew up, these roads would be at a maximum of 55 mph. And, it's not like many of these roads are in flat areas! Interestingly, the max on the Interstate is only 5 mph more.... At 75. Now, we all know our E Bodies are good, but they aren't a sports car....... I think on ocassion I held up a few of those monster diesel pick-ups with their 8 Inch exhaust tips.....
2. Speaking of pick ups, my informal survey is that 3 out of every 5 vehicles on the road is a pick up truck. In the city, I may have to back that down a bit, unless I count SUVs.
3. Flowers. The spring flowers are everywhere, and just specular. I think the blue ones are blue bonnets.....and the orange ones, Mexican something's. that shows the extent of my fauna knowledge.
4. I saw a lot of critters, including all the usual suspects: cows (and steers), horses, donkeys, a few Longhorns, etc. plus deer, wild turkeys, vultures, hawks, song birds, doves, etc. there was one place where a rancher had 4 or 5 coyotes hung on a fence, although I'm a bit uncertain what that was all about.....I doubt it influenced the rest..... But my biggest surprise was the number of goats! I couldn't believe that the Texas of my youth (watching Hop-along Cassidy, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Big Valley, High Chaparral, Bonanza, etc.) has gone to the goats. The darn things kneel down to eat and their little tails stick up! I mean, I remember the "range wars" between the cattlemen and sheepherders.......but Goats?
5. Towards the end of the day I noticed the different style "Entrance Gates" to the ranches and farms. Some are very ornate and elaborate, and obviously cost a pretty penny; whereas others were much more modest (and some downright run down). So what is it with these? I wonder if you become successful in ranching do you then upgrade your gate entrance, or do you make the investment right up front? Do appearances or showing apparent success count for something in the ranching business? Maybe I'm being too judgemental.......but it is curious.
6. Overall, I was delighted with everyone with whom I came in contact with over the past week. All were very friendly, smiling and helpful. I always liked Mexican food, and have thoroughly enjoyed that part of being here. I caught a steak here in Ft Worth......because that is what the waitress said I should do. The big old Stockyard is just a few miles from here, next to the big honky Tonkin named "Billy Bobs". The steak was great, but I have to admit I was a tiny bit concerned about getting a leg of goat........
There's a cruise and car show Friday in Nonona, small town just north, and a classic car auction by "Vicari Auctions" that I will check out on Saturday. I'll have to dedicate some time to clean the Challenger up......she's a bit of a mess. Then, I need to decide if I'm heading west into NM and AR or north into southern Colorado and Utah. They got some more snow up in Colorado the other day, so I will first check out the weather and then decide. My tires dont do well in snow......
If anyone has suggestions on this, please let me know.
I have a commitment to be in San Franisco by the end of the month, so I have plenty of time assuming no problems. The car continues to run strong, and she's nearing 5000 miles on this road trip.
Peace,
Vt Mopar
