4/28 (FRI) JOHNSON CITY to AUSTIN, TX  51 MILES, 7:00 to 1:00  11 MPH (fastest & hottest day-90 degrees) 3rd DAY of over 2,000 ft of climbing. Up at 6:00-10 motorcycles parked outside left at 6:30. Want to get early start-going to be hot. Had eggs & 6 pieces of bacon. Ill group on bikes in front as we left-Bob is going to sag, good feeling in case we are in trouble. Overcast-good-HILLS-HILLS & more HILLS-no flowers-don’t care-just want to go home & park the bike. Get to Blanco county line-water on crossing-OR bikes through. I STOP-keep going-leader yells-I did it! I’M AFRAID-just do it! AFRAID-AFRAID-AFRAID-(I’m 70 & afraid of falling) Sit down & take off shoes & socks. WALK across water past my ankles-car behind me-WALK up hill barefoot. Bob passes us later-said Paul almost fell & 1 biker got ride across in CAR. Stop for snack & get off route IL group is taking into downtown Austin. Going to 620 on 3238-have wide shoulders-now 6 miles of NO shoulders-constant traffic both ways. I’m AFRAID-you can almost reach out & touch cars as they pass. OR way out in front w/15 angry cars lined up behind him-not good for cars or bikes. Finally make it to Bee Caves & 620. OR yelling at me again. I see him-use light & walk bike across 620. Wind at back but now starting to get hot. Gone is the PEACE of biking in the hill country-constant NOISE of traffic.  Stop at store w/fantastic bathrm view-before we have to climb long-long-CHURCH hill. Rest again & drink lemonade-see hill. Beginning up hill-someone painted word HEART. As I climb are words-BODY-MIND-SOUL & near the top where Armand is waiting is LOVE. Not sure I’m feeling it now. Have to rest in shade-2 guys in matching outfits bike by-ask if we’re OK. Sure-made it up hill. Home at 1:00-have to tell TIGER & SPARKY it’s going to be a really long time before we go on another trip. Charlie (our cat) is at back door waiting for us. Go to eat, see movie & lay on couch watching tv-life is back to normal. Thank you GOD.

YOU CAN DO IT—NO-I’M AFRAID-I’M AFRAID, I’M AFRAID