As I rode into the outskirts of Del Rio tonight I realized that my bike’s headlights, both low beam and high beam stopped working.
I noticed this in the reflection of a pickup truck’s tailgate while sitting at a traffic light. Thankfully my PIAA auxiliary lights were still working. Not sure what the issue is yet but I requested help on one of my motorcycle Facebook groups that pertain to my specific bike and I got some good ideas. Most had to do with checking the fuses, which is what my first move was going to be once the sun is up in the morning.
Parked at the Motel 6 in Sealy, TX for two days.
Bike is secured and dollar store food is microwaved, just as the rain starts. Motel room Netflix day watching some new short series Dracula. Awesome.
Tonight I’m in a Motel 6 again. Last night and the night prior I was also in a Motel 6 but back in Sealy, Texas just east of Houston. I left the previous night from that hell hole in Moblie, Alabama and I was eager to put some miles in and get into Texas. I crossed the Alabama state line into Mississippi and then shortly later into Louisiana
I drove over the “20 Mile Bridge”, the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge over the swamps and bayous of Louisiana looking down over the railing into an environment I haven’t seen since driving a truck over the road some years ago.
Heading west over the bridge I took a detour into a rest area that resides under the overpass of the bridge. I took the chance to walk around and stretch my legs a little.
I’ve been eating these on breaks and when I couldn’t leave my room in Mobile, Alabama. Opening up one on a break under the Atchafalaya Bridge.
It felt like something of a triumph as I crossed the state line into Texas and considering staying in the city of Beaumont, I passed it by opting to make it past Houston before stopping. I witnessed my first incredible sunset as I headed west out of Beaumont towards Houston. It seemed to last forever and I felt like I was gifted with this unique opportunity to be present for this.
I found myself pulling into the Motel 6 in Sealy long after it had become dark. The next day it was forecasted to rain all day and so it did. I decided that instead of spending the day riding in the rain I would celebrate the more than 1500 miles traveled so far and spend an extra night at the motel. The next day, yesterday, I spent buying microwaveable crap food at the dollar store and trying to eat it all. I was sick most of the night from microwaveable spicy Jamaican beef patties, microwaveable off-brand pizzas and some things resembling chicken sandwiches. My desire to not waste food trampled over my sense to not overeat.
Much better room at the Motel 6 in Sealy.
Getting all my clothes separated to do a load of laundry. I didn’t realize the motel had washers and dryers until after I had already hand washed my clothes in the tub. I did find out about the dryers with a phone call to the front desk once air drying them wasn’t working.
Today I woke up in Sealy to sunny skies and warm temperatures. It was the most pleasant day of riding so far and I was fully in warm Texas. I rode west towards San Antonio and then went north to the local BMW motorcycle dealership to buy a quart of oil and a couple of tire valve step covers. My front tire has been losing air almost every day resulting in me having to fill it with my mobile air compressor. This has then resulted in me ultimately leaving behind one of my fancy BMW logo’d valve covers.
Alamo BMW
Stopped to get a quart of oil and some valve stem covers. Plus the opportunity to get off the bike, stretch my legs and check out some new bikes.
Riding south on the interstate back through San Antonio I continued on down to Dilley, Texas to try and meet up with my mechanic MotoHank. I tried to call him yesterday to set up an oil change and get my front tire checked out. I was only able to leave him a message so I figured I would at least ride by his place to see if I could catch him at the shop. His truck was gone and the place was definitely closed. Maybe he is out of town. Who knows. But I spent a little while on a bench across from the police station eating garlic baloney from the dollar store watching the locals go about their business in this tiny south Texas town. I decided to move on closer to Big Bend and made a reservation here in Del Rio.
Perfect weather. Picture down low at speed while holding out the Olympus TG-5.
The ride west from Dilley to Del Rio was fantastic. The weather was perfect, warm and clear. Once again another sunset that made me appreciate just being here at this moment. Priceless.
Taking a picture of my shadow while I ride. Shadow is chasing me as the sun sets on the other side of me to the west.
Riding in this part of Texas is exactly what I was anticipating.
Tomorrow morning I’m going to get up and check out the fuses for the low and high beams. Hopefully it will be an easy fix. Otherwise I may be riding into Big Bend National Park and then into Mexico without any headlights.