to Marshfield (MON; 64) to Ash Grove (TUE; 48) -- have all kind of
blended together. They were each POTENTIALLY beautiful rides -- lots
of roller-coaster roads through scenic woods, mountains (going more
downhill than up!), and farmland,
but much of what the countryside looked like after about 10:00 or
10:30 was lost on me. I know that the fire tower (middle photo) -- the
climb of which was a great little adventure, and offered clear
evidence of just how comfortable Hugh is with heights (he did not make
it to the top, and he descended, very slowly, with what he claimed
were "5 points of contact at all times" (?)) -- was early on the ride
out of Eminence. I'm not exactly certain where the other shots are
from -- there were frequent scenic possibilities.
The continued heat led us to switch our lodgings from camping to motel
in Houston MO, which, because it's in Texas County (really!), inspired
Steve and I to go with a Tex-Mex theme for our dinner -- Coronas (w/
obligatory lime wedge) and/or margaritas for the cocktail hour,
guacamole & chips for hors d(whatever), and tacos for dinner. We moved
a little north of the border for pudding -- pecan pie.
The ride from Houston to Marshfield would have been beautiful, but for
the heat -- ditto Ash Grove. Rode with Hugh both days. On the former,
we stopped at a feed store for water, and he engaged the proprietor in
a discussion of cattle raising and breeding, a topic which I did not
know he (Hugh) had expertise in. Tuesday we stopped at a picture-
perfect small town cafe for ice cream, where the topic of his
discussion with some locals was hay-baling, and the evolution of the
cylindrical bale. More BFFs for the Hugh-ster. It's fun to watch him
in these settings; he's got a real and rare gift to engage with
ANYONE, in any setting, about anyTHING, and doing so is what he
absolutely loves best about the tour.
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