docedkin
Sep 14th, 2007, 3:14 pm
Our trip home to NY after CCR took us across Old 66 in Missouri, a brief visit to Eureka Springs, and a 66 run across Oklahoma. Plans to ride out as far as Santa Fe were altered, however, by an impetuous winning bid at the CCR auction which got us two nights in Leakey, Texas at D'Rose Inn and Cabins. Cabins, when road plans are truly flexible, what's an unplanned visit to Texas other then a new adventure for a couple from upstate NY? When I placed my bid, I had no idea where Leakey (the locals call it Lakeee) was and gulped hard after I won the thing and then found out I was heading for a spot not too far from San Antonio. Deb Rose, an implant from Maryland and the land of corporate business, bought this place in Leakey and, after a couple of years running it as a standard inn, converted the business to "Motorcycles and Bikes Only". What a treat! She is a one woman task force: chief cook and bottle washer. . .she does the business business, the house keeping, and all the property improvements and regular upkeep. My wife was especially impressed by the decor of the rooms and the beautiful quilts and other appointments. I noted the bike washing area and all the hammocks. As an aside, the readers of "Ride Texas" voted the place #1 in the category "Motorcycle Trip Lodging." Robin and I had a wonderful time retracing all the old 66 sites but our time in Texas was the best of our trip home, mostly because of the hospitality of Deb and the surprisingly great roads of the Texas Hill country. Leakey is located at the base of "The Three Sisters". Texas site members all know about these roads as among the best anywhere. We've ridden in the Rockies and in Nova Scotia. These Texas roads compare. You get surprising elevation, wonderful dips and weaves, and spectacular views down hundreds of feet to streams, ranches, and range land below. On Route 335 you ride past some exotic animal ranches and view cattle, horses and. . .camels, giraffes, and kangaroos. On 336 you get the treat of riding through open range which requires you to cross more than fifteen cattle grates. 337 connects to 16 and that whole area is as scenic as anything I saw in Idaho or Wyoming. 39 runs up to the larger city of Kerrville and along the way river views and crossings are abundant. For shopping and tourist attractions, the city of Fredericksburg is worth an afternoon. . .and they have their own brew pub right in the middle of the main shopping area. Leakey itself has three gas stations, three places to eat including Vinnie's for very good Italian grub (a new steak house is being built as I type), and a drive-through beverage barn where they bring liquid goodies right to your top box without so much as a dismount. Going to Texas? Live in or around Texas and don't know about D'Rose? I can't plug the place with any more enthusiasm. . .and Deb Rose supports CCR with her donation! Interested? www.droseinn.com