By Jim Park
“The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.” While true, I’ve never been accused of possessing this knowledge. So was the case of my travels to this year’s STAR in Kerrville, Texas.
My trip started around a week ahead of the scheduled beginning of the event. On my first day of travels, I met up with my buddy Dennis Villarose near the north end of the state in Lake City, Florida. From there, we made our way to the north end of the Natchez Trace Parkway, near Nashville Tennessee. Our first stop before getting onto the Trace was for breakfast at the Loveless Café located just a few yards from the beginning of the Parkway. It’s a must stop for their famous homemade biscuits which they claim to serve an average of 10,000 per day!
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile linear national park that passes through three states – Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi – and doesn’t allow commercial traffic. The speed limit is posted at 50 MPH for much of its length, so you need to maintain a laid back mindset and simply enjoy the ride!
After completing our ride down the Trace ending in Natchez, Mississippi we continued southwesterly through Louisiana and Texas to our destination, Kerrville, Texas.
Yes, Texas has hills!
Y.O. Resort and Conference Center, the host hotel for 2024 STAR is located in the middle of the Texas Hill Country. Having some twisty roads that rival a few in Western North Carolina, it also offers a landscape that can only be found in Texas. Much like Florida, Texas also has its heat; however, having this year’s STAR in October, we experienced cool mornings and only slightly warm afternoons, near perfect riding conditions! In addition to some great riding the Hill Country also has numerous exotic game ranches. It is a common sight to see ostrich, antelope or even an occasional zebra as part of your roadside view!
This year’s lunch ride allowed riders to take one or more of the famous twisty roads known as the Three Twisted Sisters en route to the lunch location at Frio Canyon Bent Rim Grill. There we were served some great bar-b-cue brisket at an outdoor pavilion with a magnificent view of the Texas hills!
While this year’s STAR was not our highest attended at 175 registered riders, it did not fall short of expectations. Thanks to the work of many behind the scenes volunteers, in particular our Texas members, there were plenty of activities to enjoy. The ride boards were top notch and a popular planning tool for riders in conjunction with the GPS files that were available from the MSTA website or at the GPS download table in the hotel lobby including QR codes.
The evening activities offered a safety seminar and ladies meeting both presented by member Helene Villemure, a movie night (with popcorn) featuring a documentary “Deep in the Heart of Texas” narrated by Mathew McConaughey, which was followed by a whiskey social/seminar featuring a variety of bourbons. Also 15 local artisans set up their tables selling some interesting (and tasty) goods. There was also a massage table, but that seemed to be available only one evening.
Our new President, Norm Kern, did a stellar job for his first STAR at hosting the annual members meeting and the closing banquet. In addition to our annual raffle bike, thanks to the generosity of Steve and Sue Nemish of No-Mar Tires, Jerry James became the recipient of a brand new bike lift! And then of course, to wind up the Wednesday night banquet, the winning raffle bike number was drawn.
As with most STAR events, it was over far too quickly. And we are already looking forward to 2025 STAR in Williamsport. Pennsylvania.