On the Road Again...



Knowing if I didn't plan a getaway of sorts, my two days off would pass me by as a total waste.  As much as I realize I don't have to plan every minute of my life, I did want to plan something special for at least one of my days off.  Today was the day for that something special.  Getting up a little after 5:15 a.m., I quickly began my day.  By around 7:20 a.m., I was on the road to Cleburne State Park.  This state park is a part of the larger state park system in this great place I call home, The Lone Star State of Texas.  Probably one of the smaller parks I've been too, it definitely wasn't on the short end of sites (sights) and sounds.  Arriving at a little before 8:30 a.m., I quickly paid the daily entrance fee and quickly searched for a place to park the truck.  Seeing some other bicyclists parked at a bathroom/shower area, I parked and quickly got out introducing myself to those around me.  One older rider and I engaged in a question-and-answer concerning what the park had to offer for bicyclist.  Keep in mind, I've never been to this park previously.  Looking at the tires on my bicycle, he suggested keeping to the paved roads.  At first I was sort of offended.  Granted, I don't have true mountain bike tires, but I also didn't think they were that ill-suited for "off-roading".  Whatever ill-will his comment may have made, I quickly got over it and continued to heed his advice about the inquiries I had made.  In the end, I'm glad there wasn't any invincible attitude or heady idealism about exactly how in shape I am.  Riding the paved roads turned out to be challenging enough for yours truly.  After making the full tour of the park on bicycle, I fired up the truck to drive over to the swimming area.  No, I wasn't about to get in that water.  What I had in mind was enjoying a cigar under the shade of the numerous oak trees nearby.  What a pleasure it was as I capped off my time at Cleburne State Park.  Heading back out on the open road, I made my way in to the actual city of Cleburne itself.  While working for TNG, I would regularly service the Kroger's store on West Henderson Street.  Popping by for a quick visit, there would quite a few people who recognized and remembered me.  After chatting for about twenty minutes, I decided it was time to head back to the big city of Fort Worth.  I am well-pleased with how the day turned out.  As a side note, I did find a cemetery in the neighboring "municipality" of Bono.  I would often pass by it as I drove from Granbury to Cleburne, and I finally had the time and deliberate intention of stopping.  Yes, I am a true cemetery junkie, which means I spent a good hour walking around the home of the dead snapping many pictures of grave markers.  Is this weird or what?!


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