Damned traffic was crazy.. IH 35 is never a good option, this time it was ridiculous.. Those slap happy cagers don't know how to drive worth a hoot.. and there was sure a bunch of those turkeys out there Friday when we got on the highway.. The traffic would be running fine and at speed for a couple of miles, then shut down to a crawl or dead stop.. The first few times it happened, I was sure that some kind of accident was the cause of the abrupt stopping.. When we'd get past, either on the white lines or the shoulders, there wouldn't be any apparent cause for the unusual speed changes or stops.. no accident.. no one changing a tire and no police officer working a violation.. Never did figure out why those fools didn't just get on the highway and drive, guess they'd just get "tired" of sustaining the speed limit.. huh ? We did miles and miles of white line, shoulder and frontage roads.. And all this lasted from north of Hillsboro until we got south of San Antonio.. What a nightmare.. We ran south on IH 37 out of SA and then took 281 on into Three Rivers to spend the night .. We crossed the border at Brownsville about noon, Saturday.. and there was Matamoros.. My nephew and his mother, Corina.. who'd arrived from Guadalajara Friday night, met us at the very nice Best Western.. We got all our plans made for the evening and you won't believe that we had dinner at a Sonic drive in.. lol.. I believe that I mentioned a long time ago.. hamburgers are big business in Mexico.. The women went on to do their women things and the guys visited a gentleman's joint for a little diversity entertainment.. As enjoyable as all that was, the old man was kinda worn out from the ride and was interested in calling an early night and back to the motel for some much needed rest.. Sunday morning .. we got that wheelchair on it's way to Guadalajara.. That little girl will get years of service from that chair.. Sure makes you feel good to be a part of such a gift to one who is so needy.. Thanks for sharing with me, Brian.. The return trip was uneventful and we ran into the same traffic problems as we'd experienced on the way down there.. There was one little brief encounter with a very nice DPS officer.. Seems like that Vulcan was running a little too good, and he got me for speeding.. Not much, but well over the limit.. Anyway.. this officer was very professional and courteous.. After he checked me out, he decided that a warning was the most appropriate way to handle my infraction of the speed limit.. He warned me.. I thanked him for his courtesy and continued on my way.. Spent the night in Three Rivers again.. Then Monday.. we hit that same crazy traffic between SA and Austin.. I think it was worse coming back than it was going down there.. To complicate the situation with traffic.. it commenced to rain on us in Waco.. By the time we got into Hillsboro, our last top off spot.. it was coming down pretty good.. After a much needed break, we got back amongst 'em again.. When we got to IH 35 W.. traffic thinned out considerably and we ran at speed the rest of the way.. Needless to say, visibility was shortened because of the rain, and you can be sure that all of us were soaked to the skin by the time we got to our repective destinations.. That rain was cold, too.. All told .. it was a fun and productive weekend trip.. A little girl in Guadalajara is being benefitted.. we got to visit with family and made some new friends in the Matamoros area.. hmmmm.. Now it is time for me to drop that trip oil, add fresh and get that Green Vulcan cleaned up and ready for the run to Arizona.. lol.. I just love it.. Oh yeah.. I'm considering a belt conversion kit to replace the chain drive on the Green One.. From the reports, so far.. I'm sure leaning in that direction.. They tell me that the torque and performance of the motorcycle won't be affected that much, but the maintaince on a belt system is a lot less than chain maintaince .. cheaper too.. Now, that I can live with.. Regards Bill Walker Irving
