Day 24, Austin to La Grange, 78 miles

We started this morning right at daybreak and had an easy ride out of Austin. Most of the traffic was coming in. Within an hour we were out in the country.

There were gentle hills and instead of seeing bluebonnets along the road we were treated to miles and miles of red Indian paintbrushes.

We rode into the historically preserved town of Bastrop and ate pizza in the patio of a small cafe.

Fortified, we continued to the Bastrop State Park. WE followed a small, windy road through the park for 15 miles. The air smelled of pine and the hills were steep but short. Our legs did not complain too much after yesterday's massage and rest.

After the park road we traveled on some backroads and only saw a bar that did have some canned beans and luckily some water for sale. As we approached La Grange we saw our first oil wells and longhorn steers.

We are staying in a modest but very clean motel. After commenting on the delicious smells from the kitchen, we were given small bowls of rice with chicken and lentils. The owners are even washing our disgusting cycling clothes. They keep a journal of all the cyclists that have stayed at their motel. Tonight we are the only cyclists.

Tomorrow we will announce the winner of our sweepstakes. Bill is banned from all contests due to divulging answers to his dentist. Dr. Julia K. is eliminated from the sweepstake due to unlawful use of laughing gas to obtain information from her patient.

"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride." JFK

Evelyn, you chose the wrong half of Texas. Love, Ruth and Mary Jo