It was hot, have to get that out first to make it clear that the heat was the most memorable part of this ride.  Not going to do another trip like this in the Texas sun in July ever again, not worth it.  Where I work we are starting a motorcycle club (oops, cant call it "motorcycle", got to call it "riders" club) and an unofficial run to Greene from Helotes was in the works starting at 9:30 Saturday.

    Got to the gas station 10 minutes late in Helotes and the group had already left.  Didn't know it though as a bunch of bikers at the very same shamrock were looking my way and one started waving when we looked back at them. I pulled in just as they pulled out and started following them.  Didn't recognize anyone but then this was a last minute trip and I already knew that the group I normally work with was not going but I thought I might recognize a few from the first club meeting.  Nope, about 5 minutes later they stopped, Terri asked, and we were not in the right group.  They were sorry to see use make a u-turn but they weren't going to Gruene and Terri and I were.

    We headed back to the interstate and managed to catch up with the group (3 other bikes) at Boerne but I had to forgo the first part of the scenic loop ride to do the catch-up.  We rode 46 the rest of the way to Gruene.  At one point Terri got hot and needed a drink and took off her helmet.  That pissed me off as all I needed was to her drop the helmet and have all my club buddies watch it roll down the road and then mention it at the next meeting. Anyway, I was at the front of the pack and the guy behind me rode up and shouted something.  That really pissed me off as I thought for sure that my wife had dropped her helmet or something else.  We caught a red light and he yelled that I had left my keys in the rear top case.

    We hit the "tea room" at Gruene, excellent food.  Then we went into a couple of antique shops.  One of them we knew the owner. They was selling their business and immediately asked Terri (their book keeper) about whether they should have a huge sale before giving it up, or sell the inventory at wholesale price to the new owner.  They didn’t ask my advice or I would make it clear that an antique store was where new money and old junk exchange hands.  I noticed they were selling an old wooden level for $30.  I had just bought a laser level (no bubble, self leveling) for $99 the week before at Lowes and cant imagine somebody using that old wooden piece of junk, let alone paying $29.99 for it.  He had a sign that said "If you like to haggle over the price we will gladly raise the price and can then argue it down for you."

We left and road around trying to find "River Road".  It was not on my map. Had to ask. Finally found it and rode the 11 or so miles up the Guadalupe River.  My how things changed since the flood of 99.  The  picnic tables are on the ground instead of up 20 feet above our heads.  There were toobers and campers everywhere.  Never saw so many perfectly filled out 2 piece bikinis along one stretch of road in my life.  Hard to keep my eyes on the road. Anyway, here are some pictures.  I threw one in of the river at the spot where I remember the water had been 30 feet over the road.  There were 100's of tubers anywhere you looked but sorry, no bikinis as my wife had charge of the camera.  A few more pictures here.

Anyway, we downed 4 large Gatorades and 4 bottles of water and went thru another 4 bottles that were just poured on our heads to keep cool.  We rode w/o helmets back as it was too hot.