Our trip thus far has been ‘rain free’, that it we haven’t encountered any rain while on the road. Not that there hasn’t been any rain around us. Severe thunderstorms hit Austin overnight but had dissipated by the time we started out. Slight cloud cover and relatively cool low 20’s temperatures greeted us.
Travelling west on 290 we headed towards Johnson City, where we found a motorcycle museum that would have been worth a quick visit (if it were open). The town also had some unusual retail establishments.
Continuing on to Fredericksburg, and then on to Kerrville, we drove by dozens of small wineries. We’d been through wine country previously (in Washington State and Napa Valley in California) where the vineyards cover everything in sight. Not so in Texas. There were only a few vineyards visible from the road – most of the time it was Texas scrub brush along the roadside. Perhaps it is a sign of a viniculture in it’s early stages. There were also several ranches with elaborate entrances.
West of Kerrville we took 16 to Medina. This stretch of road is one of the top rated motorcycle roads in Texas. It has some very twisty sections and some unexpected tight turns. It is marked with some ‘sobering signage’ to remind motorcyclists that it is a road to be respected.
The jaunt to Medina set us up perfectly to tackle the ‘Twisted Sisters’ – Farm Roads 335, 336 and 337 – collectively the best loop of roads in Texas. We tackled 337 first, and then swung onto 336 at Leakey and then back around on 336 south. Great roads throughout. 336 was twisty, 335 was like a roller coaster and 337 had both elements. The route gave us a great view of Texas ‘Hill Country’.
After leaving 335 we continued on Hwy 55 to Uvalde, arriving mid-afternoon. A quick fuel stop and we made it over to Robb Elementary School, the scene of the tragic shooting of school children that took place in May 2022. It was a sad scene, with the school effectively closed up and a well tended shrine to honor and remember the victims. Driving in town there were many ‘Uvalde strong’ stickers. It is an event that will be long remembered in this town.
