Explore Texas - A Ride to the Hamilton Pool Preserve

One of the greatest things about riding a motorcycle is the opportunity to explore the world in a way that puts you in the middle of your surroundings.  Sure, you can reach a destination by car and then explore, but it just isn’t the same.  When you ride, more than half the fun is getting there.  My recent ride to the Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs, Texas is a perfect example.

Hamilton Pool Preserve, Dripping Springs, TX

The morning was cool and the air crisp as I left my house to meet several other members of the Gruene Harley Owners Group Chapter at Gruene Harley-Davidson.  The weather forecast called for highs in the mid-70’s but temperatures were still in the mid-50’s at meet-up time.  I wore my leather chaps and jacket to keep warm.  I was comfortable and the short ride to the dealership was refreshing.  I could feel the stress of the week leave my body as I glided over the familiar stretch of road between my house and the dealership. I pulled into the parking lot just as the Road Captain started his safety briefing.

You could feel the excitement in the air as we lined-up and prepared to leave.  Everyone was ready to ride.  Our eighteen-bike/two-trike ensemble cautiously made its way into the traffic flow and settled into a nice staggered formation for the hour and fifteen minute ride to Dripping Springs.  Riding in a large group is special.  It fosters camaraderie and connectedness…and it's fun watching the reaction of both cagers and pedestrians as you ride by. You can see the sense of wonder, awe, and even envy on their faces.  Without a doubt, group riding can be fun, but I digress.

The Waterfall at Hamilton Pool

After turning north on Purgatory Road off FM 306, traffic was almost non-existent. I took several deep breaths to take in the fresh Hill Country air. It was turning out to be a beautiful day.  The two-lane road meandered past several ranches before terminating at the Devil’s Backbone (RR 32).  We headed east for a couple of miles and then made our way north on RR 12.  As we made our way to the terminus of RR 12 at RR 3238, I felt as though we had been transported back in time.  I could easily imagine the landscape that lay before us looked much the same as it did when the first Travis County settlers saw it in the early 1840s…rough and rugged, yet peaceful and full of promise. In that moment, I felt like a pioneer.

Five miles after turning northwest on RR 3238 we found the entrance to the Hamilton Pool Preserve.  I’m
not sure who was more surprised, the Park Ranger trying to get all of us into the small parking area; the group when we realized there was a $10 per vehicle entry fee; or me when I realized I had no cash and they didn’t take credit cards.  Fortunately, a friend spotted me the $10 and all was right with the universe again (thank you, Walter).   Once we were off the bikes we walked down the quarter-mile trail to the “pool”.   As we descended into the box canyon, I was impressed with the natural beauty of the area and then I saw it…the Hamilton Pool.

The whole scene was spectacular and so unexpected.  In front of me was a large pool of emerald green water fed by a 50-foot waterfall.  It was something you’d expect to see in Hawaii not Central Texas. We ventured into the collapsed cave behind the pool taking our time to soak in this natural wonder.  It was amazing.  As we hiked out of the canyon, I couldn’t help but think the experience was possible because I enjoyed exploring Texas on my motorcycle.  

I'm already looking forward to the next adventure.  Until then...Live Free. Ride Hard. Be Happy.

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Learn more about the Hamilton Pool Preserve
Learn more about Gruene Harley-Davidson
Check out the Gruene HOG Chapter Facebook Page

Patriot Guard Riders…Riding For a Reason

PGR Flag Line Navy Seal Chris Kyle 2013

I’ve met some great people thanks to my motorcycle.  People that will go out of their way to help you if you need it, people who aren’t afraid to tell you like it is, and people that love and respect our country and the freedoms we enjoy.  It’s not surprising that many of these people are Patriot Guard Riders.

The Patriot Guard is an interesting mix of the biker community.  Members come from all walks of life, ride varying makes and models of motorcycles, run the gamut from young to old, and may or may not be veterans. Despite this diversity, every member has at least two things in common; they love motorcycles and they support and respect the military and first responder communities.

With origins dating back to 2005, the Patriot Guard got its start when members of American Legion Riders Chapter 136 decided to help shield the family of fallen soldier Sgt John Doles of Chelsea, Oklahoma from Westboro Baptist Church protesters.   From those beginnings, the Patriot Guard has grown into an all-volunteer organization with thousands of members across the nation. Today, the main mission of the Patriot Guard is to “attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Much like the American Legion Riders in 2005, the Patriot Guard carries out this mission with two objectives in mind:

• Show respect for our nation’s fallen heroes,their families, and their communities 
• Shield mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by protestors through legal and non-violent means 

PGR Flag Line MSgt (Ret) Bobby Bacon 2014

I’ve had the opportunity to participate in several Patriot Guard missions over the past few years and each
time my heart has been touched by the outpouring of love and respect shown by Patriot Guard Riders in honor of a fallen hero…whether that hero be an active duty military member, military veteran, or first responder. The sense of fulfillment when a family member shakes your hand and thanks you for honoring their loved-one is overwhelming. I’m truly proud to be a part of an organization that stands to honor the life and service of men and women they’ve never met.  It’s an amazing experience.

As motorcyclists, we don’t generally need a reason to ride.  We ride for pure enjoyment and for the sense of freedom it provides.  Riding clears our head, relieves our stress, and makes us feel good.  Riding is therapy for our soul.  But if you need a reason, you won’t find a better one than riding to respect and honor another man or woman’s service to our nation.  I encourage you to search out the Patriot Guard Riders in your area and participate in at least one mission.  You’ll be glad you did and you’ll be a better person for the experience.

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To See More Photos of a PGR Mission Visit My Facebook Page
Learn more about the PatriotGuard Riders (PGR)

Get Info on the PGR CentralTexas Region

Request Info on San Antonio, TX Area PGR Missions

Contact your PGR StateCaptain

The Great Burger Hunt…A Review of Bobby J’s in Helotes, TX

This past Sunday I decided to take advantage of a gorgeous day, get in a little saddle time, and continue my hunt for a great burger. With just a little coaxing, my wife, Sherry, agreed to ride with me. After last week’s post about In-n-Out Burger, a Reddit contributor recommended Bobby J’s in Helotes, TX. He said he’d prefer a Bobby J’s burger over In-n-Out’s any day of the week. With that kind of endorsement, we saddled-up and pointed the bike towards Bobby J’s.

Bobby J's Helotes, TX

The 30-mile ride to Helotes went quickly on State Loop 1604. Much like the interstate, 1604 is a multi-lane road with a 70 mph speed limit. When traffic isn’t heavy, you can make great time from one side of San Antonio to the other. Fortunately, traffic was light on Sunday and I was able to give the throttle a good twist. We left our house at 1:15 and pulled into Bobby J’s parking lot at 1:55. The ride in-between was like food to my soul. The sun was shining and the temperatures were in the low-to-mid 60’s. It was a Zen-like experience and I savored every minute of it.

Ready to Take Your Order

Bobby J’s parking lot was almost empty. I guess folks in Helotes must eat at more traditional times…1:55 is a little late for lunch. The first thing we noticed was Bobby J’s ain’t no chain. The building looked like it had been around for a long time…it definitely had character. The inside was clean and the décor somewhat shabby-chic. Country music was playing in the background. It was like being transported back in time to when life was just a little simpler. We took a few minutes to look at the large menu on the wall and decided to split a ½-pound Western Burger, fries, and an extra order of onion rings. We placed our order and sat down in a booth under a window.

The Western Burger

We didn’t have to wait long before our number was called. The portions were big. We made the right call in splitting a burger. There’s no way we could have finished everything had we ordered separately. The Western burger was slathered in grilled onions, bacon, cheddar cheese, and a secret sauce. We asked about the sauce but the only thing they would divulge is that it contained BBQ sauce and other “special” ingredients. Whatever was in there, it was tasty. The thick-cut fries and large rings were equally good. The burger was so juicy it was hard to eat without making a mess. Sherry decided to use a knife and fork to eat hers. I just used a lot of napkins.

Shabby-Chic?

 Was Bobby J’s better than In-n-Out? It depends. I liked the Bobby J burger better. It was much bigger, much juicier, and extremely flavorful. Sherry on the other hand had a different opinion. She wasn’t a fan of the size of the grilled onions. They were cut like onion rings and they were big. She also thought what I characterized as juicy was just greasy. From her perspective, In-n-Out had the better burger. In the end, it comes down to personal taste...and that’s okay. We did agree that Bobby J’s was an interesting establishment and worthy of a second visit. They have a large variety of burgers so next time we’ll try a different one. For me, the food and the atmosphere were great and I don’t think you could go wrong by giving them a try. Besides, Bobby J’s makes a great destination and/or jumping off point for a ride on State Route 16 and into the Texas Hill Country.

The great burger hunt continues. If you have a favorite burger joint within a 100 miles or so of San Antonio, leave a comment and tell me where it is…I’d like to try it. Until then let’s Live Free, Ride Hard, and Be Happy!

In-n-Out Burger Run...Adventure Is What You Make It

With the Winter-weather in Texas being a bit wetter and cooler than normal, I try to take advantage of every opportunity to ride. This past weekend was no exception. On Saturday after the monthly Gruene HOG Chapter meeting several members rode to Luckenbach, TX…but I wasn’t among them. I passed on the opportunity to see the bright lights of Luckenbach and share in the rich heritage of Waylon and Willie and the boys. Instead, I rode to In-n-Out Burger in Austin with my wife on pillion. It was a great ride…

Sherry, Ready to Ride

Shortly after I returned from the HOG meeting, Sherry and I geared-up and headed out the door. It was slightly overcast with temperatures in the mid-60s…all in all, not a bad day. We got about ½ mile from home when she told me she might be too cool in her textile jacket and wanted to change into her leather one. We turned around. She quickly put on her leather jacket and we were off, again. We had gone 2 miles when she asked, “Why can’t I hear my music?” I told her I had no idea and to check her phone. Problem solved. She had left her phone in the other jacket. I made a quick U-turn on FM 3009 and headed back to the house. After retrieving her phone, pairing it with her headset, and doing a quick music check, we were finally on our way to Austin.

With a couple of false starts under our belts, it was good to be on the road and making progress towards our destination. It had been almost a year since we’d eaten at an In-n-Out Burger and we were excited that one had opened a little closer to home. The ride on the super-slab was uneventful but enjoyable. Unlike many riders, I actually like eating-up miles on the Interstate. I like rolling the throttle back and the sense of sustained speed you get while blasting down the highway. Riding the Interstate has a rhythm of its own. It may not be as relaxing or as scenic as other roads but it’s fun. Maybe too fun. Sherry caught me exceeding the speed limit a few times and asked me to slow down. I reluctantly obliged. We made good time until we hit Austin and then crawled along for the last six miles. I would have never guessed there’d be a traffic jam at 1:30 in the afternoon on Saturday. It took us almost an hour and half to cover the 67 miles from our house to In-n-Out Burger.

Don't Let The Peaceful Exterior Fool You

When we arrived, we were ready to eat. Unfortunately, so was the rest of Austin. The place was a zoo. I’ve
never seen so many people at a burger joint. The drive-thru line was easily an eighth of a mile long and the parking lot was overflowing. After circling a few times we found a spot, parked, and made a beeline to the door. The place was packed liked sardines but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly we made it through the line. We ordered our burgers animal style and then vultured for a table. Just as our number was called, two people vacated seats next to a window. We quickly sat down. The burgers were fantastic, just as we remembered them. We took our time and savored their juicy goodness but were mindful of the growing crowd. Just as we finished, a young couple asked for our seats.

Our ride home went smoothly and was even more enjoyable than the ride-up because we didn’t have to fight traffic. We stopped to check-out a few shopping areas on the way back and even picked-up a movie. At the end of our little adventure, Sherry and I both agreed that fighting the Austin traffic and the crowd in the restaurant was well worth the effort. In-n-Out Burgers are delicious.

Pass on the ride to Luckenbach? You bet I did. My wife doesn’t love riding like I do, so I’m always excited when she rides with me. I hope one day she’ll come to love it as much as I do, but until that day comes…I’ll cherish our rides together. You can’t get much better than riding two-up with a beautiful woman with her arms and legs wrapped around you. Just thinking about it makes me want to Live Free, Ride Hard, and Be Happy!

Remember, adventure is what you make it.