Day 34: Navasota, Texas --- Rest Day

Day 34: Navasota, Texas --- Rest Day
Miles: Big Fat Zero ------------ Total Mileage 1,835.07
Theme: Day for Cross Training

Today is a rest day. For most of us, that means that we will not get on our bikes at all! Some parts of our bodies are quite thankful for that break. But do you think the group of us can just sit still? Of course not, we have to do some cross training. Now in case some of you don't know, here is the definition of Cross-training (from Wikipedia): "Cross-training (also known as conditioning) refers to training in different ways to improve overall performance. It takes advantage of the particular effectiveness of each training method, while at the same time attempting to neglect the shortcomings of that method by combining it with other methods that address its weaknesses." Well we figured we have done a lot of cycling, so our cross training today will be walking and eating. Want to make sure to combine our methods so not to have any shortcomings. We will walk to town so that we can exercise our jaw muscles by eating. We want to work other muscles rather than just the legs!

I am sure we were quite a sight walking through town. We walked one after the other. First there was Greta, followed by Ruth, then Tex, Lisa, Eva and me bringing up the tail. At least we weren't wearing our biking helmets.

There isn't much in Navasota - but when we cycled through town on our way to the hotel yesterday afternoon we did see a diner called the The Filling Station. We noticed that there were a fair number of cars there, so that usually means it's the place to eat in town. The Filling Station brags that it is the home of the Dead Texan. Now that sounds like a great ad doesn't it? The Dead Texan is "3 1/2 lb patties, 4 slices of cheese, 6 slices of bacon, 2 eggs (your way)... all the way! *may contain less than 10% possum, armidillo, rattlesnake, etc..." Now how could you not stop at a place that makes a meal like that???? By the way "all the way" means that you will have the works on it - so for a hamburger that might mean mustard, mayo, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, onions... We will hear "all the way" much more often as we head deeper south.

We had to split up because there were no tables available for 6. Eva, Lisa and I sat together. The waitress was a hoot. She began by asking "How can I help you young ladies today?" She was wrong on both accounts! Well maybe only partially wrong. Young Pup was at our table! We would ask can I get the burger with out this or that and she would reply, "You can have it anyway you want babe, you are running the show." The place was hopping and I think she was the only waitress. She was running from one table to the next! As is often the case, we were the only non-locals in the place. We were hungry and the longer we waited, the hungrier we became. My burger came up first -- poor Eva's and Lisa's food took awhile longer. I tried to be polite and wait, but that didn't last long. Eventually everyone was served and we were all happy campers. Marge and Katherine joined us later as we were finishing up. It was a great place to eat, food was good and again I loved eating at a local place rather than a chain. I much prefer taking the chance and going to a local place rather than playing it safe. I mean I didn't ride all the way across the country to go to a Denny's every day! After we all paid our bills, I talked the waitress into getting her picture taken with us before we left. At first she said, no I don't take good pictures, but finally she agreed. She really did make the place. Before we left, she gave us all hugs!

And so we did some more cross training and walked back to the hotel. (By the way when riding if you come up to a hill that you can't ride over, it is considered cross-training when you get off your bike and walk up it).

One runs across the oddest things traveling across the country. There was a floral shop in Navasota called Ya Ya's Floral & Specialty Shop. Their street sign had the following: "Ya Ya's Floral & Specialty Shop. Weddings, Catering. Gifts and Casseroles To Go." I guess if you are buying flowers for the death of a loved one, you might as well get the casserole to take to the family at the same time!

It has been another good day. It was nice to just take it easy - do some cross-training, share stories with one another, eat, clean bikes, eat, take a nap, did I mention eating, do some laundry, re-pack, eat, etc.