Coastal Bend Ride 04-19-2008
Saturday morning, April 19th, 2008 at 7:30 seven members of the Research Riders met at the off campus SWRCFCU for a day long ride to the coast. Jon Matthews, who couldn’t join us for the ride due to work commitments, was kind enough to arrive early to open the building, make coffee, and give us a place to hang out (and warm up, it started off chilly) for a few minutes. After a brief chat on road conditions and a prayer for a safe ride we pulled out of the parking lot at 8:00 on the nose.
Two more Riders on one bike joined us in route to breakfast in Poth and one more Rider hooked up with us at the PDQ Café. We then had a total of ten Riders on nine bikes. After an ample breakfast we departed Poth for our next stop in Panna Maria. The old (and very historic) Catholic church there is beautiful and well worth a ride or drive someday if you have not been there before. Many rolling hills, twisties, and wild flowers made the next leg a great ride into Goliad.
After a brief visit with the local Shell station we headed to the memorial for Col. James Walker Fannin and approximately 400 of his men who were massacred there on Palm Sunday, March 27th, 1836. An impressive memorial and located next to the Presidio La Bahia where the men had been held captive. The Presidio is another place well worth visiting if you have a few hours to spend. Unfortunately, we did not so it was on the road again to our next stop. The terrain changed rapidly from rolling hills to the coastal plains. And, of course, the wind picked up…..
Lunch time found us at Charlotte Plummer’s Sea Fare Restaurant in Fulton Beach. We lingered over a wonderful lunch on the upstairs deck overlooking the water and shrimp boats in the boat basin. The food was excellent, the beverages were cold, and the general thought was that we need to do this ride again someday as an overnighter. Daniel and Margie did just that, have to admit I was just a little bit jealous as they split off from the group in Rockport to find a motel.
From Rockport we picked up 188 to Sinton and then 181 north back toward San Antonio with two stops on the way north. We made one stop in Beeville just to stretch our legs and another in Floresville for gas and a drink. At that point the ride was officially over and folks split off and headed their own way.
A great ride through beautiful country, the local histories were fascinating and worth more in-depth visits, and the food was great. But, the best part were the folks who came along, they’re the ones who made it a great ride!!! My personal thanks to David, Chuck, Tina, Steve, Dennis, Joe, Daniel, Margie, and Scott. Great friends, beautiful day, and a motorcycle.. Can’t ask for much more!!! Except to do it again soon… Thanks to all.
Ride safely,
Art
