Simmsport,LA

Today we rode through cotton fields with scattered corn and maze fields, after riding through rice fields yesterday.  Our ride yesterday  was 90 miles long in a heat index of 111 degrees.  It was by accident.  The town we had intended to stay in had all the motel rooms booked up due to a funeral.  Guess all the kin came home.  This actually turned out to be a happy situation.  We stayed in a wonderful B&B in Washington, LA.  The propriator was a very interesting artist who lived in Paris and on a LA plantation.  So we had a late start after touring her art gallery and parts of her home built in 1903.  We met many fun people along the way before landing at the Sportsman Motel.  It certainly is not up-scale but the hospitality could not be any better.

Over 300

In Louisiana

Day three finds us in Louisiana after a 76 mile day. We left Texas after experiencing a lot of Texas hospitality.  We camped two nights in RV parks.  They both offered us wonderful hospitality.    This is big because normally RV parks don't want to have us tenting rif-raf on their premises.  The first night was at Cedar Grove RV Park in Ames, TX.  The second was at Thompson Lake RV Park.  Jean Thompson says she loves to have tenters because she loves to hear their stories.  This park even had coffee available in the morning.  Later in the morning we made a stop at Mama's kitchen before leaving  Texas.  There we met Kaylon Booker who was very gracious with his Texas hospitality.  He introduced us to Organo Gold Coffee.  He gave us packets to try.  It may be just what we need for travel coffee.

Just when we thought you couldn't beat Texas hospitality we entered Louisiana.  We stopped for lunch at the only resturant in Merryville.  A gentleman there liked hearing our story and wanted to buy our lunch,  However, we had already paid so he had his grandson hand us $10.

Thanks to Doug's insomnia in the heat last night tonight we are in an air conditioned motel.  He should be careful, I could get used to this.  Although, I do love my tent.

Cross Country Bicycle Trip

After conceieving the idea of riding to my 50th high school class reunion 3 years ago, the time has come to put that plan in action.  Tomorrow morning Doug and I will start from our home in Baytown, Texas on a bike ride to attend my high school reunion in Owosso, Michigan.  Our ride has  come to the attention of The Baytown Sun.  The link to the article can be found here:http://baytownsun.com/lifestyle/article_d2e2aa62-a524-11e0-99e9-001cc4c002e0.html

Christmas Crafts

Henrik and I have completed our project.

Things learned

While traveling the coastal plains of Texas we learned that you can readily find Hunt Brother's Pizza and tacos to eat.  Cell phone service is very iffy.  Therefore, the cell phone gps is worthless.  We need a satilite gps.  Doug who is a great believer in the old fashion map way has decided that a gps will be of value added to the maps.  My one creature comfort that I have allowed myself, rei wine glasses will remain on the equipment list.

Shake down bike ride

Doug and I have just returned from a 380 mile self contained bike ride to test out our equipment for our ride to Sault Saint Marie, Mich.  The equipment worked well.  We have some tweeking to do but we seem to have the situation under control.