Georgetown to Dumas, TX

The trip began at 6:30 as Dulce and I headed out in a steady rain which continued until well past Lampasas.  When it finally did stop a light mist continued until I reached Brownwood where it finally totally stopped.  Along the way Texas wildflowers lined the road—gaillardias, primrose, blooming prickly pear, some form of tobacco plant added blue and of course there were ample DYF’s (damn yellow flowers).  At one point a flagger had me stopped for a period of time and I watched as a pair of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers went through their mating display and I had a small group of Lark Sparrows.  After passing Winter, Texas the terrain changed from what had been rolling hills with nice oak trees that was largely ranching county to a flat part of the short grass Great Plains and the noticeable presence of oil production appeared.  Then about 30 miles out of Sweetwater I encountered a massive wind farm that continued nearly to Lubbock.  Just out of town a large rattle snake crossed the highway in front of me.  I also added a Mississippi Kite to my year’s list—number 354 –and the sun finally broke through the clouds.   Around noon I stopped at a roadside south of Lubbock.  The area between the railroad tracks and the highway held a small pond in which I observed Pie-billed Grebes with chicks, Cliff Swallows that have utilized a picnic cover for their nest, and several White-faced Ibis who appeared to be nesting there as well.  From here the flat plains of west Texas and the Panhandle stretched before me.  I made it to Amarillo without incident by 5 o’clock but on the way to Dumas my luck changed.  About 20 miles south of Dumas a passing pickup got my attention to let me know one of my trailer tires going flat.  I was able to stop and get part way off the pavement but an adjacent ditch kept me from getting off very far.  After checking with Good Sam with whom I thought I had roadside assistance (and I didn’t) they suggested I call 911.  I did and they dispatched a deputy sheriff to come to my assistance and contacted a local towing company to come change my tire.  Once the deputy arrived and put on his flashing lights I felt more at ease. Highway 87 is a major truck route and they were coming by full bore.  The deputy was extremely helpful and a young man arrive and swapped the tire for my spare and I was once again on my way.  By now it was 7:30, I was hungry and tired and I made it to Dumas in time to grab some supper (a very poor chicken fried steak).  Very tired I went to the Walmart parking lot and camped for the night.  By this time it was after 9:30 and the end of a very long day.  Dulce and I were ready for bed.