Serendipity seems the theme of the day.

We left Fredericksburg fairly early this morning, as soon as we had finished the complimentary hotel breakfast.  There wasn't anything particularly special about this one until I opened the iron to make one of those 2 minute so-so waffles that are so common at chain hotels these days.   Instead of being the standard circular iron, this one made waffles in the shape of Texas.  I spread the peanut butter, bit off the panhandle and Amarillo, and then worked my way from east to west across the state, bitewise, much as we're doing on bikes.

The first 30 miles of the day were mostly on back roads from Fredericksburg to Kerrville.  It's beautiful countryside, that begins as rich pastureland populated with cattle and horses, then you come around a bend and spot a large herd of ibex.  This is definitely Texas. Gradually,  we moved into rocker terrain as the road again rose into the hills.

We did happen across another dead coral snake on the road today.  Barb snapped a photo so we could confirm that's what it was.  She's had her lucky horseshoe strapped on here rear rack, and is unlikely to encounter a live one.  I think that's as much due to an apparent Texan animosity towards snakes as it is to luck.  Pity the poor snake who's caught in the open on a road as a Texas native in a motor vehicle bears down on him.  Texan 1 Snake 0.  Just a little aside, there are 15 to 25 coral snake bites in the US each year.  The venom contains a neurotoxin that paralyzes muscles associated with breathing.  The only treatment is with antivenom which is in very limited supply.   According to Wikipedia, Pfizer the US manufacturer says it's unprofitable because of the limited cases each year.  Maybe the horseshoe is our best bet.

We did make it into Kerrville about noon, after having to dismount  bikes and push a quarter mile up a particularly steep dlope.  We were directed on back roads into town, and had just turn a corner when the delicious aroma of BBQ surrounded us.  The sign said Buzzie's BBQ and there were cars in the lot, so we pulled in for lunch.

We had just happened onto one of the best BBQ restaurants in the state of Texas.   Awards were displayed on every available wall space, including some from the televised BBQ contests you see on the Food Network. Buzzie's was there mixing with the locals and was happy to let us take a photo with him.  Oh, and the food was fantastic.  Brisket for me, and chicken for Barb.

While we eating award winning BBQ,  Barb started calling to check options for the night's lodging.  A cold front is due through the area sometime tonight, with the possibility of thunderstorms. There were two lodging options listed in our route maps.  One was asking $85 for the night, so we chose the other, the River Inn resort based solely on price.  What a pleasant surprise when we came rolling around the last corner of the days ride. The River Inn is one of those very nice old style resorts that was probably built in the late 40's or early 50's that families make a tradition of returning to year after year.  The resort has built a dam across the Guadalupe river that provides a swimming pool and areas for canoeing in calm water.  There are chairs and lounges on patios and decks that overlook the river.  There are enough smokers and grills around for everyone to cook their favorite summertime meals.  Our room is furnished with a full kitchen and has that comfy feel of a family cottage. In short, we're very at home here.

Lol. Things may not be as nice tomorrow as we're scheduled to camp at the Hog Pen campground in Leakey (pronounced Lakey with a long a for you non-Texans).  Stayed tuned for how that turns out.

Well and climbing every hill we encounter.