Terry saw an interesting sight yesterday. Most rivers and large streams we cross have a concrete ramp for fishermen for their boat trailers. At one ramp Terry saw a pile of hundreds of live crawfish. Extras caught by fishermen? Suggestions are welcome via a blog comment.
Yesterday's route included an 11 mile stretch on route 1293 from Thicket to Honey Island that was straight as an arrow. The last we saw this was west in desert. Bob Pedersen and Flynn decided to draft on one another, and blasted through at greater than 20 mph despite a headwind.
For several days now my eyes have been watering and I have sneezing fits. We must be hitting pollen season. Bob Pedersen, Carol and others are similarly affected.
This morning I walked 20 yards from my tent to the bathroom building. I was half asleep, it was still dark, and I must have walked over a fire ant nest. By the time I reached the bathroom, it was like sharp pins poking my ankles and lower calves. I sat on the steps and tried to brush off the ants. This afternoon I still have lingering aching. The ants are tiny but really pack a punch!
Dick Ward is the rider who broke a hand and had to drop out east of Phoenix. Want to say we miss him (especially when there is a headwind - he is tall, so we like to ride behind him). We hope Dick is healing well and will soon be riding again.
Today we rode 52 miles over almost-flat terrain, through stands of tall pines and by ranches. A moderate headwind (also one yesterday). Numerous trailer trucks passed us carrying logs or wood chops. The latter smelled great due to pine resins! There are small local sawmills like the one we saw yesterday. Most wood is used for pressboard or pulp.
After 30 miles we stopped in Kirbyville for a bite. The first restaurant we tried closed at 10 am. So we went to Paula's Place. Two pickups were parked outside, so we wondered how we would be received? Fine, as it turned out. Jerry got a bacon, egg and cheese burrito (see photo). The waitress called us Darling and later Baby. The walls were covered with 33 rpm record album covers of country and western greats (see photo). Also gun control posters (see photo of example).
The day started almost foggy, but the sun burned through by mid-morning. It lit up the wildflowers by the roadside (see photo of Carol and flowers stretching in the distance). We will miss Texas bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush and yellow buttercups.
Past Bon Weir we hit the Louisiana border at the Sabine River. See the photo of Bob Plant, Terry and me waving good-by to Texas, and another of us entering Loo-siana.
The "Hurricane Evacuation Route" sign on US 190 was a reminder of Katrina and other storms here.
Tonight we are camped on the lawn outside the buildings comprising the Merryville History Museum (see photo). The members are catering dinner, and we look forward to hearing about the history of the area.
Bruce
No comments:
Post a Comment