Baton Rouge to Wichita Falls Tx

Dave does not have the same routine as Jeff and I. As you know from past experience, We like to ride at least 40 miles before breakfast, sometimes that ends up being around a 100 miles or so. But Dave suggested we eat the "Free" breakfast at the hotel.. Not a bad idea because Jeff and I are both cheap asses.. However, this did cause us to get a later start than usual. We headed out about 8am. Riding in downtown Baton Rouge at 8am on a Friday is not a good idea! Bad traffic compounded buy a stalled vehicle in the center lane just before the Mississippi bridge.. Not a good start to a 600 mile ride. After we crossed the mighty Mississippi, traffic cleared out and we resumed highway speed.. Nice morning ride West on I-10 towards Lafayette LA. 

For those of you that think love bugs are only in Florida.. WRONG!! The spring flight of the Lousianna love bugs was in full swing. They are just as thick and just as nasty! As we turned north on I-49 toward Shereveport they were thick as ever.. We stopped for gas and a drink in Alexandria and to scrub off the bugs. 

Pics do not do them justice.

Running a little behind, and the speed limit being 75.. I put the spurs to Elsie and got on down the road towards Shreveport. Got there about 1:30 and we were hot, tired, hungry and still had 6hrs of riding to do. Had a lousy lunch at a truck stop, then headed west on I-20. God heated up the earth and made the wind start to blow as we crossed into Texas. 

The plan is to avoid Dallas by riding up Hwy 69 to Dennison and then shoot across 82 to Wichita Falls. It was a great plan, a nice ride and Jeff got to see some HUGE wheat fields (he's never seen a wheat field). He also got to see some mesquite bushes, and the wide open plains of north central Texas. Hwy 82 is a very nice ride, we avoided a thunderstorm and enjoyed the cool evening air as we roared into Wichita Falls.. Had a steak dinner at Texas Roadhouse then back to the Hotel for a much needed rest.. 

Jeff said we did 618 miles and we are feeling it tonight!