Motor Maids Convention -- Kerrville

Hundreds of female motorcyclists gathered for the annual Motor Maids Convention at the Inn of the Hills hotel in Kerrville.  These women rode their Harleys and Hondas and Yamahas and Spyders, and more, from throughout the U.S. and Canada.  It was remarkable meeting women who still bike cross country at nearly 90 years of age.

Scenes of Fredericksburg

While cheering on the cyclists in the Texas Gran Fondo, we walked about town.  Here are views of Fredericksburg.

"Sunday" houses were built for use when rural ranchers came to town on weekends to sell/buy and to attend church. The outdoor staircase is typical.

Grand homes and not so grand are mingled throughout town. Many have chickens about.

This house is an example of the extensive remodeling taking place throughout town. The original "Basse Block" house is the structure on the left.  All the rest is a new addition, done in segments to appear as if the house had experienced additions over time. Even the stone, boarded up windows, are for affect.

Many art galleries on Main Street. The stained glass in the window of this gallery is exquisite.

Texas Gran Fondo Bicycle Race

Saturday, April 5, the inaugural Gran Fondo bicycle race took place in Fredericksburg. Billed as a Tour de France class race, there were 100, 65, and 35 mile loops.  92 participants in the 100 mile with the winner clocking 21.6 mph, completed in 4 hrs. 38 mins.  113 participants in the 65 mile Medio Fondo, completed by a couple folks in 3 hrs. 13 mins.  The winner of the Piccolo Fondo, where there were 76 participants  completed the 35 miles in just under 1 hour and 46 mins., at an 18.7 mph pace.

The race started right in the residential area of town, and went through the Hill Country rural areas.  The cyclists I talked to as they completed the 100 mile said the terrain was not sufficiently challenging (hilly that it is).

Fredericksburg....Willow City Loop

Sad, sad ...  essentially no rain thus far in 2014 results in extremely few Hill Country wildflowers.  Tried to take photo at same spot for comparison with prior years.  Willow City Loop is gorgeous Hill Country geology, and the wildflowers there are usually supreme.  The ground now is completely dry; the creeks  in the area were dry. 

 

2014

2012

2010

Cowboy boots on the fence posts have a catchy charm.

A couple of photo worthy gates:

Basically the only types of wildflowers seen on the Loop, scattered here and there (really nearly none, so sad, so many missing)

Bluebonnets

White Prickly Poppy

So. TX Nuclear Generating Station

Little Casita

Looking for shells

Wishing to find good shells...so far only this little 2 inch guy...would really be happy to find a sand dollar.