We started off this morning from the RV park outside of Jacksonville, and were joined by Evan on his mountain bike to see us off. It started to sprinkle just as we had placed the last of our gear on our bikes and persisted for a little while. The first section of today's ride was on back roads, which were very scenic! At one point, we passed a horse pasture and the horses trotted along the fence with us as far as they could. Just before turning onto a slightly busier--though still agreeably calm--county road we set down our bikes and had a snack. I had a banana and a granola bar with me, and drank a lot of water. The light rain had stopped, and the skies were grey with cloud cover keeping the temperatures once again surprisingly moderate. Because of the moisture in the air--and of course our efforts--large beads of sweat formed on our arms and legs. Most of the ride through the morning was on pleasant roads, although the hills were again a major challenge for me. I'm hoping I'm improving at least a little, though I am wary of my knees. They have gone out on me on our previous shorter bike adventure from Madison to St. Olaf a couple years ago, mostly I think from pushing up hills. As we approached the city of Tyler itself, there were a few sections of wonderfully smooth road that felt great to ride on. Such smooth surfaces seem to make a big difference on the hills! The rougher pavement of the small roads is noticeably harder to climb. As we came into Tyler itself, the road became more busy and we lost our shoulder. Tyler seems like a very nice city, with some cobblestone roads and many nice houses. On these busier roads, though, and heading for the center of the city I admittedly began to feel stressed by the traffic everywhere. After some searching and asking questions we were directed towards the city hall area, and soon enough there was a subway. I was grateful for anything, and for a chance to finalize our end goal for the day. There was an option of adding a little distance to Mineola, or sticking with the plan of Tyler state park. I very much wanted to see this state park, and this is what we decided upon. It meant our mileage for the day was low, perhaps in the 40s, but I felt it was good to do lower mileage while we can and to see Texas.
After leaving subway, we walked our bikes down the street hoping to see a grocery store. On the opposite street corner were three very old men holding large signs against guns and against war. As we waited at the light, they noticed us and we both gave each other a thumbs up. Shortly thereafter one of the old men began to cross the street and came to speak with us. He asked us about our trip, and told us that when he was much younger he did a similar trip--almost the same distance, coincidentally, of 2,300 some miles-- from Houston all the way to Seattle. He said they went at about 60 miles a day and finished in approximately 30 days. He recounted that they had met a pair of bikers along the way going the opposite direction, who were managing 120 miles a day! He explained that they figured out that it was because the prevailing wind helped these cyclists, while they were working against towards Seattle.
As we made our way the 12 or so miles towards the state park, we decided to stop at a gas station at the edge of town to grab some food for dinner. The town had become more and more rough as we went out, and this gas station had bars on the windows and doors. As I was checking out, the tattooed lady at the cash register (she seemed to know everyone who came in!) asked if we were biking somewhere and how far. I explained the trip, and when I said that we had come from Houston starting Tuesday her jaw dropped. She asked me where we were headed today, and if we knew the way. She seemed quite nervous for us, and told us bless us! When I got outside to where Laurel was waiting, I drank my chocolate milk and unlocked the bike. Then it began to pour. It looked like it would not last long so we waited. It gradually slowed, during which time another customer came out to get in her car and told us she had heard about our trip from the cashier and that we should be on the news, haha! She was also impressed. As we were deliberating whether the rain had slowed enough, the cashier came outside seemingly to smoke. She spoke to us again, as we all wondered about the rain. She then asked Laurel how old she was, and next me. When I told her I was 24 like Laurel she seemed disbelieving. She thought surely I was 16 or at least in my teens, and that she had kids 21 and in their teens. She seemed nervous for us, and as she asked us again about our route to Tyler state park, it downpoured heavily again. She told us that the farm to market road 14 we had intended to take was dangerously busy, with semis and traffic, and with no shoulder and no where to get off the road. She said that she drives these roads everyday, and said she had held us back to tell us a back route via lavender road that she takes, as she lives near the back of the state park. Although bumpy and hilly, she said it brings us there much more safely and only adds about 3 miles. We thanked her again for her help as she went back inside to work--what a strong personality and interesting woman.
Lavender road turned out to be absolutely wonderful. After coming through some homes and yards, it enters a bright green tunnel of trees. The sun had come out again, and it was beautiful (though there were still a few dogs! I am getting better at shouting at them). We zoomed down some long, smooth, exhilarating hills. A farmer on a small tractor came from the other direction and gave a wave. I try to give a little wave or nod to most trucks and cars on such small words, because it is friendly and courteous, and that is what you do on country roads. As we were still within the bright green tunnel made by the trees, there was a gap and a fence. It was a pipeline! We had located another section, and stopped to take a look.
Lavender road continued on, and the hills began to really climb without any or much downhill in return. I felt so tired from the continuous climb, and kept hoping that around each bend there would be a downhill not another uphill. We passed some noisy cows and bulls, and then finally we reached the connecting point to 14. Along here we saw two separate oil rigs drilling. Only a short ways down the busier 14 and we had reached the state park entrance. I felt a lot of relief to have arrived, even though we had not gone far that day. The hills definitely played a big factor and I felt I had used up most of my energy on them. Plus, as Laurel pointed out, previous three days are probably catching up. So I am very very glad we stuck to a shorter distance and hopefully our legs can recover.
The state park rangers greeted us warmly, and asked about our bike trip. They pointed out that the park has some great mountain bike trails, but that we probably don't want to so anymore biking! I said we might take a long walk!
We set up the tent and lackadaisically laid out our bags on the picnic table. The state park has a lot of very nice campsites, and is really spread out and large!!! It was built by the conservation corps in the 40s. There is a lake, and we walked down to see it, considering a swim. We went up to the park office to get a few snacks, and sat outside on the picnic tables under an overhang to relax. There was even wifi! At another state park! Not my usual camping, but on this trip I am definitely not complaining! Bright sunshine came out and there were many kids swimming. We never worked ourselves up to it. Big downpours and heavy winds from dark clouds came and went-- ad in fact we had been caught in one downpour as we walked the trail there. (I've really had quite enough of being wet!)
In the evening we showered and set up the tent. As we showered, a raccoon dug through our small garbage bag which we had unwisely left on the table. A neighboring tent group had chased it away for us. I had completely forgotten about raccoons. I noticed slightly later that one of my panniers seemed to be unpacked, but I had been sure I packed it and closed it up. It seems the raccoon hadn't just gone through garbage bag, but had managed to open my bag and pull through things till it found my breakfast, a packages sweet roll! Darn!
Tomorrow, we are hoping to ride to Cooper Lake State Park. It is about 73 miles, so I hope that we are up to it after some rest today.