Millers Smokehouse in Belton, TX- Spring 2019

Spring officially began on March 20, 2019. And with that the weather took a
remarkable turn for a beautiful day of riding. With work at my new employer and
Margaret deep into her spring semester at school we haven’t been very active with
motorcycle activities for quite awhile. Today however we saw the weather was
going to be amazing and quickly planned a day of riding!

For over a year we have been wanting to take a ride to Belton, TX and try
out Millers Smokehouse. It was rated in the top 50 BBQ places in state of
Texas for BBQ by Texas Monthy in 2017. I contacted our closest friends
Steve and Angie to ask if they wanted to go with us. I was glad when they said yes
and also brought another couple we ride with as well. Millers opens at 11 AM to 3 PM
on Sunday or until the meat runs out. Since it was late notice we took the interstate to get
there right at opening time to beat the crowds. It’s just over a 2 hour ride and we arrived
about 11:30 AM.

It was just getting busy and we were able to walk right up to the counter and
place our order. This didn’t last for long though. Within an hour after our arrival
there was a line out the door and probably 20+ deep in line outside the building
along the sidewalk. That line never dwindled down the entire time we were there
and even got longer as the morning rolled on. Millers Smokehouse didn’t disappoint
either, proving without question why they are rated as a top smokehouse in Texas.
I wanted to try all kinds of stuff so we intentionally ordered too much with plans of
taking what we didn’t eat home. We got moist brisket, lean brisket, regular flavored
sausage, a rack of ribs, potato salad, and mac & cheese. Every item was exceptional
and can easily be placed among the top BBQ items we have ever eaten.
They also make their own fountain drinks all of which were good as well.

While we were eating a surprise visitor arrived that we were excited to see!
Chip from Fixer Upper came in!
They have a TV show where they renovate homes in the Waco area for clients that is a
great show to watch. Margaret and I are regular viewers and have also visited their
store Magnolia Market in Waco as well. I couldn’t help myself, not that I’m a fanboy
or anything like that but I do like the show and it’s not often you get to meet a celebrity,
so I asked him if he would let Margaret take a picture of us together.
He was so nice about it and gladly accepted. It’s really kewl when a celebrity is
genuinely kind and will do something like that even when they are out just doing
things like trying to eat. Thank You Chip! I greatly appreciated your time for a picture!

Now it was time to head home. The plan today was to head straight to Millers Smokehouse for lunch, then take a nice long scenic route home. The temperature rose to 86 degrees with clear skies and the wind was at our backs! It seriously couldn’t have been better. We rode 298 miles and had more fantastic experiences while we were out again. It always amazes me how you can ride out into the unexpected and find experiences and treasures you never even planned for.

Ride Strong Wrench Proud

Rahr & Sons Brewery 5K Run/Walk

Sometimes life is simply not about the ride, or bikes, or motorcycle maintenance,
or rallies or anything to do with motorcycling at all. Today was one of those times.
Rahr & Sons brewery in Fort Worth, TX does a 5K run/walk every month so
Margaret and I decided to participate in it. The run supports local business which is
important to us and is a local community event. I also enjoy their beer so it was one
of those win-win situations. Over 100 other people thought the same thing!

The 5K run sign-in begins at 8 am with the actual run starting at 9 am.
They have pacesetters that lead 4 groups which cover those competitive
minded runners to a group of walkers. We participated in the group just above the
walkers which was perfect for us. It made for a great morning to spend some quality
time with each other as we moved along the 5K route. We like to ride, no question there,
but outside of the ride there are other life experiences that we like to participate in as well.

I’m not going to pretend we were some kind of marathon runners, were not.
We basically power walked the entire route. We weren’t last but came in at the finish
just ahead of the group of walkers. The point of it was we got to spend some quality time
together, get a good walk in, support local business, and drink some incredibly good
beer after the run. I have been a fan of Rahr & Sons beer for many years so this was a
perfect way to start our Saturday.

Rahr & Sons gave away a bunch of T-Shirts, a breakfast sandwich, pint glasses
from which you got 3 free refills from the taps at the brewery and keep the glass,
a raffle, and the social aspect of the entire event.  I usually drink the
Texas Red American Amber which is a favorite of mine. This time I tried the
Iron Thistle Scottish Ale and the Adios Pantalones which had a lemon lime
flavor to it. Both were good but the Iron Thistle really blew me away. It was so good
I’ve added it to my top favorite beers.

I know a 5K run with fresh brew at the end seems contradictory. It is, but it is also a
lot of fun and brings local community together to have a good time. I wrote about this
because life is not just about riding, its experiencing life itself whether its on a bike or
outside of the ride.

And yes, Margaret had to drive home because I wasn’t safely able to after
the all of the fantastic beer…

Ride Strong Wrench Proud