50 Nut Factory

     We started the day with breakfast at the Fort Davis Drug store and hotel.  A neat old place still looks like an old soda fountain shop.
    A little nippy today, we bundled up and headed North out of town to see the scenery.   Nice highway, we have been impressed with Texas's roadside rest and  picnic areas they seem to be plentiful and when possible blend in with the surroundings.  We seen some fences made out of rocks and were told that rock was more plentiful than wood  Can you imagine the labor involved.
       We had found out there was a Star gazing party at the observatory on Friday and decided to stick around to observe it.  With the extra days planned we decided to see if we could improve our lodging situation.   On the ride North we had seen a little more modern motel.  We stopped and negotiated a price for extra days.  Larger computer table, better internet, more room, and you couldn't slide a breakfast bar under the door.  We were set, made the move to our new digs.

    Worked on the blog had lunch at the Mexican restaurant next door.   We see a lot of old wood stoves, (almost said wooden stove, they wouldn't last long would they?)  I'm guessing they only need something to take the chill off.  Not like up North where heat is necessary for survival.
     Back at the new room now, and patting ourselves on the back.  Are we ever savvy travelers now.   A little later we turned on the TV, nice large flat screen, no picture.  Phone call to front desk, she had to wait until her husband came home.  Clue:  May be coming from India.  When he returned he gave us the key to one on the other side, it seems when he was replacing water heaters he may have cut thru the TV cable.  Started to move to the new room, thought I better try the TV, same problem.  Evidently it wiped out cable to all the rooms on that end.  Next room, tested TV before any thing got moved.  Works good, now move everything to this room, pull camper over-by hand.   Four rooms in one day,  I take back the savvy travelers comment.           
    We wandered around town.  I noticed the Davis Mountains Nut factory,  I knew I had seen them advertised some where so we went into look around.   Dave was behind the counter and he shared how he and his brother were building the business.     We sampled some of the different flavored pecans, we were unable to narrow it down to one so we purchased two flavors.  Here is a link to their site, http://www.allpecans.com/   I never know exactly how it starts but some how the conversation got around to, "you rode to Texas on a trike?"  That gets Ruthie started and pretty soon we are offering to give rides.  I've seen it a thousand times.  It so happens that his wife Debbie loves to ride cycles but had a bad experience on two wheels. ( I know how that goes, have some scars to show for it.)  He asked if we were serious about giving a ride.  We said we were, gave him a card and left.    We purchased some valentines cards next door for the grand children. ( I know, a little late.)
     Later that day we received a call From David and arrangements were made to stop by his house the next day and give Debbie a ride for their wedding anniversary on Valentines day, how romantic.
    We finished the day with pizza next to a live tree.  We stopped at the grocery store I thought was a motel to pick up some supplies.  Picked up some roses for Ruthie, (can't pass up a chance to build up some points.) the hotel didn't have a vase so we made use of our  motorcycle drink cup.
     Valentines day,  We presented the motel lady with two roses, see we aren't bad people.
     In the afternoon we carried a rose over to David and Debbie's.  Since David had arranged it for Debbie she got the first ride.   She didn't care where we went as long as she got to ride.  We went west toward the Davis Mountains and she told me of some new pricy homes.   We decided to head that way and check them out.    

My normal query to riders is to tell me when they are half way bored so the ride back is still enjoyable.  I don't think that would work with Debbie, she does like to ride.  On the hill overlooking the new homes I noticed a long white structure in the distance, looked like a mission to me.  Debbie didn't know what it was so we headed over to check it out.   You have to understand that it was clear across the other side of the mountain,  we headed that way and for much of the ride it we were not able to see our destination.

After several dead ends and trips to the wrong peak we finally found it.  From the outside it stilled looked like a mission.  There were two men sitting by the entrance and Debbie recognized one of them from her work in town.  After a short introduction he invited us to go inside the walls and look around.  We found out it was the Santa Cruz ranch and a family had started building it years before.  After the father and one of the brothers passed away the remaining brother continues to build on weekends.  It is a series of cement walled mazes with archways, crosses, a chapel and several dwellings all connected by random paths and walls.  Very interesting. 
 

Now it was Davids turn, he directed me to the Davis Mountains state park as I drove he pointed out areas he has visited many times while growing up in the area.  It was nice to have someone who knew the area as a guide.  As we were going up the skyline drive I said that looked like a natural bridge on the cliff above us.  He said he had never seen it.  After we toured the top of the mountain and were on our way down I stopped where I had noticed the rock formation.  It's amazing what you see when you are on a cycle with nothing to obscure your view.  Now he will have something to point out to Debbie.   It had been a great afternoon, we had met  two more wonderful people, hopefully they enjoyed it as much as we did.
    Remember today is a special day and I'm still determined to build up points.  David had told me that there was a very nice restaurant at at the main park lodge.  Ruthie and I headed for it.  The Black Bear restaurant certainly had atmosphere. When I called they said reservations were required however it looked like they were happy we were there.  There was no choice tonight, it was the lovers dinner with lovers desert bar.  $40.00 (I had to ask, nope, it was a piece, oh well it was a special evening and heaven knows Ruthie deserves it.)   I should have known if it says bisque or glaze it is going to be expensive.

Happy Valentines Day Ruthie!