We left Austin this morning and were almost immediately met with the start of Texas Hill Country.   We've known this day has been coming for a long time, but finally met the reality of it.

A few days ago in Burton TX,  while I was busy trying to patch a tire, Barb and our fellow-cyclist Jake were trying to find out what had happened to the B&B that was closed for business.  They happened onto a few 60-something women antiquers.  When Barb explained that she was riding her loaded bike across country,  one of these woman gave her a very dubious visual inspection.  Not just once over, but twice I'm told.   I only relate this so that you can appreciate how proud I am of how well Barb rode the hills today.  She was simply marvelous.

We did 48 miles of hills today that you have to go to the mountains to duplicate.   We weren't particularly fast, and we stopped several times during a few ascents and even walked a quarter mile of a particularly steep section.  But we made it in good spirits and with some legs left tonight.

I was so thankful that I was able to get my new front derailleur.   It preformed flawlessly as we moved in and out of our granny gears all day.

We're heading into Fredericksburg TX tomorrow with more climbs ahead of us, but nothing quite as steep as we rode today.   It's a bit of a short day, but Barb chipped part of a tooth today on a particularly chewy piece of beef jerky and she has a 4 pm appointment with a dentist tomorrow.  We feel like we're being watched and cared for from on High.

We're in a hotel tonight in Johnson City.   We walked a half mile down the road to a fine Mexican restaurant and will probably ride there tomorrow for breakfast.  Three breakfast tacos for $3.49 and they open at 6:30.

Feel fine and satisfied tonight.