We have noticed that a bad habit has been starting. We're getting late starts and having to push for the miles. Today is not one of those, but still we're up early and not on the road until almost 10:30 AM again. At first the roads are pretty good and then we go back to that rough and tumble surface.

The thing that is so unusual about this area, is as we go from one little township to another like Rutersville that had the first protestant college in the US, and the town named after Dr. Ruter a pioneer that died after the strain of getting here. Then there was Oldenburg, Warrentown, and then Round Top. All along there are large barns and building all advertising space for rent for antiques shows that take place in this area twice a year.

We pass St. Matins, the smallest catholic church in the country and I should have stopped to get a picture it is about the size of a single car garage.

Round Top is laid out like so many towns, around a central square that also has several historic buildings like this old one that was I believe used as a hotel in the late 1800's. More famous in Round Top however is the story of Royer's cafe. Andy was starving and we haven't been in a sit down restaurant for days, so decided to try this one. Absolutely a must if your traveling in this neck of the woods, just to see the all the "stuff" plastered on the walls from different visitors and customers of all kinds. The current owners came here during the economic bust of the late 80's from the Houston area, no money and no hope. "Bud" had a talent, no a passion for cooking and at the suggestion of a customer, along with an order and an advance check for $7,000.00 start making and wholesaling his now famous pies. So after a sit down lunch we sampled a piece of pie ala mode each. ( they charge .50 extra if you skip the Ice Cream ! Bud thinks this is a sin! ) Cute, small, friendly !

The terrain is changing again and the hills are becoming more gentle, there are more trees and views spectacular. we stopped to catch this view of a home with a field of flowers and that lake in the background when up comes Seth riding from Burton.

We saw this guy briefly at our turn at Burton, but when Andy and I pulled over, a truck from some tree service in the area, pulling a trailer, made the turn about a minute later as I was fumbling for the maps. Seth had waved at us and took off riding. After honking at us , the truck driver stops and yells at me then starts to read Andy the riot act. After spewing his filth and viol attitude at us, speeds off and barely missing me. I'm known to blow once in awhile and sadly couldn't get up to within ear shot of this rude redneck. It never ceases to amaze me, we are on the shoulder of the road, heavily laden with a bike trailer not easy to maneuver and the truck or car that has an engine might just have to move a few inches to comfortably avoid us, yells at us to get off "their" road. Interestingly WE have the right of way according to Texas law, but with some of these people you'll be dead right! We agree that it is best to just patronize these idiots and are thankful we have encountered many more nice folks and courteous drivers than this rare exception.

So who the heck is Seth Margolies ? I think I'll give him his own page so move forward !