This morning both Laurel and I were quite sleepy when the alarm went off a 6am. We dolefully packed up the tent and sleeping bags and got ready. The road out of the park was very hilly, and we had to back track slightly down 14 before taking Sand Flat Rd some distance to the end, then Jim Hogg rd among other back roads and connecting to Old Mineola Hwy. The skies were grey once again, and we have had a another remarkably cool first half of the day. This really makes the morning rides nice (well, for me when the road is relatively flat!). With all the hills, I am apprehensive for my knees, especially yesterday and the start of today. I took them carefully, but in the morning could hear some quiet popping and movement foreboding the pain that I experienced on my previous bike trip, so I was very nervous and cautious.
The back roads today were so gorgeous and green. We saw more cows today as well, and even some Texas longhorns. The old Mineola was really lovely, and even passed through a nature reserve. Which coincidentally had an oil pipeline run through it-- not sure what company this time, or if it was part of keystone though it is in the right general area. We have noticed, as with Tyler State Park, that there tend to be pipelines near many of the parks or forested areas. We are wondering what the motivation is behind this. Is it that it is less visible to public? Is it that it is more out of the way? Is it that the reserves are required to offset the pipeline? Eventually we ended up back on a more main highway, which we are actually quite quick on. Maybe it is the general forward motion of the traffic that keeps up our pace, as opposed to the calmer back roads?
Just as we were pulling into the town of Quitman, Laurel's back tire went flat. She had just had to repair it yesterday. We pulled into a driveway and changed the tube hoping to patch the other later. After reassembling it all, the brakes gave her a hassle as well. We set off again, but barely half a mile later the back tire suddenly went flat again. Poor Laurel! It was such a frustrating moment. To that point, I have had one flat, and that was her third in addition to being the second that day. We did our best to sort it out, but it was a stressful, angry moment. What was wrong with the back tire? How could a new tube go flat immediately? I decided to search the tire itself, and after running my hands over it multiple times felt a poke. There was a small staple that had gone through the tire! It must have punctured the first tube, and then the second after changing it. We were frustrated, but relieved at least for an explanation. We found the hole based on the location of the staple and patched it. This lasted quite a ways but as you will hear, not all the way.
We warily continued onwards, towards Yantis and Sulphur Springs beyond that. The temperature began to climb into the upper 80s as the clouds split. Passing over the bridge over Lake Fork, we looked out at the waters, close on either side, and breathed the lake air. The road became bumpy and had scattered gravel over the shoulder of the pavement. This was jittery and slow for our bikes. By the time we reached Yantis, we were both very hot and hungry. Yantis is a very small town, and there was only one small area with buildings. First we grabbed some chocolate milks at the gas station on one side of the road, then crossed to the small cafe/subs and pizza shop on the other side. Here, we ordered grilled cheese subs and attempted to wash off some of the layers of grease we had acquired from the multiple tire changes. We looked pretty sweaty, messy, and bredragled I think! The waitress asked if we had been out hiking and we explained our bike trip. She was a very lovely young woman to speak with! And kindly brought us many water refills. The owner of the cafe, Denise, came out shortly thereafter and was so excited about our trip! She wanted to take a picture with us for the cafe Facebook page. I felt so flattered! She was so wonderful-- I could hardly believe it when she said the food was on her! She asked us if we wanted anything else, and then suggested buttermilk pie. Neither Laurel or I had tried this before, and it was delicious!!! We spoke a little more with the waitress and other workers (also learning that Lake Fork has alligators and alligator gars in it so it was probably good that I did NOT jump in it). She gave us some great suggestions for places to eat. An older couple who were eating lunch also asked about us, and told us how great they thought our trip is and how she wished she had done such a trip when she was our age -- and of course to be careful and bless us, which was very kind. Laurel and I felt so touched by the kindness we received at this cafe. A free meal, delicious pie, and wonderful people!!! So if you are ever in north east Texas, stop by Yantis and have a bite at Hometown, Subs and Pizzeria. They are so great, and really made our day!!!
We headed on our way feeling so happy. We followed some more back roads, tried to take a main road and met construction so turned back to the smaller roads to sulphur springs. Along the way we met just about our limit of dogs chasing us. It is so frustrating. So frustrating. I hate the dogs so much. Just seeing any dog now makes me angry. Why do people not teach their dogs better? We have been chased and growled and terrorized by them the whole trip so far and likely will be for the rest, probably more than 20 each day alone. So far we have snapped back and yelled harshly at them and they had gradually let up. One gave us an especially aggregate chase in the city of Suplur springs itself. I can't emphasize enough: I hate these dogs. They make me so frustrated it makes us want to quit. So if you have a dog, teach it properly and don't let it chase folks. Protecting your house is one thing, bolting after those on the opposite side of the road is another. Probably every dog in Texas has barked at us, sensing us sometimes miles ahead and barking. I even hear them in the distance!!
We got into Sulphur Springs proper around 4:30 pm. This is probably the latest we have been out biking so far. We went into th Walmart to get more tire tubes, and some other repair items and food. Afterwards, we sat outside by our bikes chuffing a quart of chocolate milk each and eating strawberries while we talked on and off with the employee lining up and collecting carts. He asked what brought us to such an out of the way town. He also told us that it is a very family oriented and nice city. So far Texas is just so wonderful-- beautiful land and friendly people throughout our travels here! I will quite miss it!
It was already past 5pm by this time, and we decided that we would just stay in Sulphur Springs instead of covering the last 15 miles to Cooper Lake State Park a bit north. We were both tired from the bike mechanical problems, and after two days of camping and riding, probably due for a good rest and wash anyways. So we found a cheap motel ($55) on the edge of town and have cleaned ourselves up.
Oh yes, and on the way to the motel poor Laurel's back tire went flat AGAIN. We just kept pumping it and riding till we could reach the motel over these last miles. When we arrived, we were discouraged and nervous about what to do. What was causing this? There seemed to be something absolutely wrong and we both knew it wouldn't work to continue this wa and worrying if we could somehow find new tires. Once in the room, Laurel tried to diagnose the issue and talked with family and boyfriend to sort it out. I took the time to call home, and when I returned to the keel room, Laurel announced proudly that she had found another pokey thing! That must have been there for some time, causing some of the initial flags, and then the staple causing more today. So hopefully things will go more smoothly tomorrow as we pass around Cooper Lake and onwards to the Caddo national grasslands.