Mark’s present to himself

Two and a half years ago when we sold all our possessions and walked away from our stick-and-brick house, Mark gave up his beloved Harley.  He hasn’t been the same since.  Recently he saw a bike online that he really liked so he put a couple hundred dollars down on it.  The bike was in Dallas so we went up there last weekend to get it, but our plans were thwarted.  They offered to send the bike down to Austin this week so we could try again to get it.  My cousin, Dan Brim, sent our leathers and helmets from Lynden, WA.  They arrived in San Antonio yesterday when we went to the office, so today we went to Austin prepared to pick up the bike.

Sitting on his new motorcycle the moment we first arrived.

Sitting on his new motorcycle the moment we first arrived.

I've got my gear; I'm ready to go!

I’ve got my gear; I’m ready to go!

Suiting up to take her on her maiden ride...

Suiting up to take her on her maiden ride…

...and they're off!

…and they’re off!

First stop light together

First stop light together

First gas station together

First gas station together

Mark:  Today turned out to be a great day for a motorcycle ride.  The motorcycle I have now was once a police motorcycle.  Though the previous owner wasn’t a police officer, he obtained it from a police department.  It’s all white and although the police equipment has been removed the siren and radio switches still remain.  It needs a good tune-up which is something I can provide.  It was still a great ride.  Temperature was in the mid 60’s, sun was shining, the roads were in good shape and the bike just wanted to run.  More than once I checked my speed and found I was cruising easily 80 mph.  Ya know, some people get a service animal to help them cope.  For me it’s a motorcycle….

I was driving our car behind Mark and I could just see how much fun he was having.  He’d flap his “wings” at a stop light or weave the bike within his lane.  It did my heart good to see him on a bike again.

It was mid-afternoon when we pulled into Fredericksburg, a cute town we’ve been wanting to explore, so we stopped to have a look around.  We only had enough time to go into a couple shops — one that sells linens and quilts, and another that is a Christmas store.  Another day we’ll have to go to Fredericksburg earlier in the day so we can look at all the shops.

Coming into Fredericksburg

Coming into Fredericksburg

The linen and quilt store

The linen and quilt store

Window shopping

Window shopping

Leaving Fredericksburg

Leaving Fredericksburg

It was dark and getting cold by the time we left Fredricksburg, but we were only about twenty four miles from Kerrville.  When we got into Kerrville Mark turned right when I was expecting him to go straight, but as soon as he pulled into a driveway I smiled, knowing he was in the mood for celebrating.  There’s a restaurant he’s been saying for several weeks he wanted to try.  It’s called Cowboy Steakhouse.  Not only did he take us out to dinner there, he tried quail!  Normally he eats the same old things every time we go out to eat, so he was really feeling adventurous tonight!

Cowboy Steakhouse

Cowboy Steakhouse

The inside decor

The inside decor

We told the waitresses we were celebrating and they got a kick out of us.  A couple of them posed in the background when I took Mark’s picture.  Then one of them took our picture.

The waitresses got into it!

The waitresses got into it!

One of them took our picture...

One of them took our picture…

...and when she saw us in our leathers she thought we looked cute and took another picture!

…and when she saw us in our leathers she thought we looked cute and took another picture!

When we left the restaurant the temperature was even colder.  By the time we got home Mark was a popsicle, but he was a very happy popsicle!

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