Denver to Houston
July 5-7, 2007
2003 Aprilia Futura  
RST 1000
Denver-Amarillo-Albany, TX,- Temple-Houston
1200 miles
  • Welcome to Texas
By about 4 o'clock I made it through the border and into our wonderful Republic of Texas.  I was greeted by a new town for my map, Texline.  What a great name.  With more silos and fields on the horizon I was in heaven.  

  • Texline in the Distance
  • Three Silos
Rolling into Texas I was once again amazed as I thought that it had taken me about 7 hours to make it down from Colorado, cutting through the corner of New Mexico, but it would take me the better part of two days of riding, if I really did not want to punish myself for all my sins at once, to make it into Houston.

I rolled down into Texas on 87 and reached Dalhart shortly.  From there I continued towards Hartley and stayed east on 87.  The GPS guided me south at the 2589 intersection.  I could see the curtains of rain coming down to my left, but in God's mercy I stayed dry.  2589 turns into 2202, which dead ends at 354.  It was east again at that point, until I ran into 87 again, to then head south towards Amarillo.

It was here that I saw one of the most wonderful events I have witnessed in my life.  The clouds had turn a heavy grey, which reminded me of the old tin soldiers my granduncle used to make for us in the back of the old house.  Yet, no rain came down.  Instead, to the east, on top of a mesa, a brilliant, wonderful show appeared.  There, on the horizon, all the colors of the spectrum came together, not to form a rainbow, bit to form a brilliant raindome.  I have no other words to describe it.  But God was not done having fun that afternoon.  To the west, the rays on sunshine were breaking through the clouds.  But instead of forming the usual radiant pattern, they were crisscrossing each other, pouring and reflecting through the deep lead and dark turquoise skies.  "God", I said, "You sure are having fun with Your Hands today!"
  • GPS says: Turn Left
  • La Casita del Sol
Around 7 pm, thanks to the GPS, I found my way to La Casita del Sol, in Amarillo, where I received a warm welcome from the hostess and her family.  A warm dinner, a great jacuzzi, and a nice room with a very comfy bed, made for very restful sleep after 10 hours on the Futura, amazing landscapes and riding, and virtually no rain.  God is Good.