Day 43 - Shepherd, TX to Silsbee, TX

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​for the first 42 days of this trip I did not see so much as a hint of rain. Today that all changed. Heavy rains throughout the morning delayed my departure from the shepherd sanctuary until this afternoon. 


Fortunately, the storms left behind some tailwinds out of the southwest that enabled me to get to my planned destination tonight. And the extra time gave me an opportunity to further explore the Shepherd Sanctuary. It is a beloved and well known landmark among bicyclists riding the Southern Tier. 

The ride today was in the far eastern part of Texas through what is known as  the Big Thicket. Not surprisingly, this is very big timber country. All day long there were logging trucks going past me on a narrow 2-lane highway with rumble strips on the shoulder and a posted speed limit of 70 mph! But the drivers were very courteous. I think they have seen my kind before!





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