‘Around the Bend’ 24′ Day 4/4

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Alas, all good things must come to an end, and my butt was starting to get sore.

What’s that?! Another beautiful view?! I should live in my tent full-time.

This trip was special for many reasons, but one small one was that I never had to use my rain fly. There’s no condensation when I wake up, the air is fresh and breezy, and I can see the sunset, stars, and sunrise from the comfort of my mummy bag. Which is surprisingly comfortable.

I’m in there somewhere I promise.

I get up and out of the tent in lazy fashion, quickly get a coffee made with the Jetboil, and take a casual walk around camp and to the Frio before anyone else is awake. A few other early risers give me a nod, and I see another photographer capitalizing on the great morning light.

The fog rolls gentle across the water, giving just a hint of movement to the stillness at camp.
Walking the dam gives a great vantage point for photos, and gives the illusion that you are walking on water.
Old Baldy was showing off! This is a great short hike if you are in the area and want the full view of the Hill Country.
This gif gives an idea of the fog slowly rolling over the dam.
Playing with colors, the moon, and Old Baldy.

Walking around camp I enjoy the sound of happy families, smoldering fires, and happy breakfasts being made. Walking campgrounds is one of my happy places for whatever reason. It feels free, with no schedule, and surrounded by like-minded people living with purpose. Heck I was vicariously living through this gentleman’s setup:

A tall van, mountain bikes, and a Yamaha T7!? Sign me up!

I made my breakfast, packed the bike, and looked forward to a very familiar ride back home through the Hill Country. It had been four days of riding for me, plus I had to work the next day, so I did have a bit of get-there-itis. I didn’t stop to take many pictures, but you’ll have to trust me that it was another 100+ miles of this:

I’m spoiled by the Hill Country and I don’t care.

I made it back to Austin uneventfully, unpacked the bike, and started the process of cleaning my gear and myself. The bike was filthy, and the chain was definitely ready to be replaced. It lasted 23,000 miles, not bad.

Overall the trip was great, but man that was a lot of riding in four days. 1,378 miles of on and off road per my trip meter. The butt was sore, but my spirits were high. It’s always worth it to plan and prep. My to-do list includes prepacking a lot of my gear, so when the next trip comes it’s easier to get everything together and on the bike. I’m trying to eliminate anything that doesn’t quite work with my setup, and streamline and upgrade the things that do. Maybe that will be another post for another day, but for now I continue to love this bike. It’s sitting at just over 23,000 miles, and I think it’ll make it to 100,000 if I keep doing my part.

Ride safe through the roads of life folks.

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