for what will be the last time. Alabama has been very much a central focus of the trip thus far. It’s either been in front of me, or resting on my right shoulder. I made it to Voncleave, MS in record time. While that may not sound like something special, the route out of Mobile absolutely was the worst. Add to that the fact that I ended up basically doing a huge u-turn which took me about an hour to correct.
Mississippi is very much small town America, which I’ve come to appreciate with each passing mile.
After leaving Mobile this morning, I was thinking whether it would be the last major city that I have to visit. Nothing wrong with the city, the people are super nice, the city itself is beautiful, but I am becoming more and more engrossed in the local flare as it is in the “blinking-red-light” town, for which there are plenty.
Noel, you asked about photos. Remember, that I shipped back my camera a few weeks back given the added weight...
Fear not, though, disposable is the way of the future.?I picked up a Kodak throw-away about 10 days ago, so here are a few:
one handed, pedaling in the rain – plus sweat. It’s worth noting that 1) I have hair 2) my beard is now much longer
About four miles before I crashed
ACA inspired side of the road, rainy photo
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You’ll notice no front bags.
(I’m having to update the html of wordpress as I go since this computer here at the library is ancient… a little rusty on the coding and PLEASE ASK ME BEFORE PUTTING THESE ANYWHERE – George, that goes for you as well…)
Anyway, I ended up doing away with the front bags. It seems like a great idea on paper (online) but in practice, it sucked. They shifted with every up hill pedal, made steering weird, and made it possible to carry more weight. I freaked out for the last time about them on the side of a crazy back-country road. Obviously, the rack up front is designed to carry more than just a tent, but it seems to work. The bike is faster, steers better, and is lighter.
The weather is about to get crazy bad – again – so I am thinking of staying put in Voncleave for the evening. The town is super small, but there’s a place to camp out just up the road. Tomorrow will be a lot of Mississippi backroads. There’s a chance that I may make it to Louisana. I have about 90 miles from here to the next campsite, so tomorrow should be loads of fun.
I appreciate everyone keeping tabs on what’s been happening.
Cheers,
Jason
