Sunday, June 9, 2013

Day 19 - Into Mississippi!!!


This morning, we woke up to the sound of thunder crashing. The whole small town of Hamilton was surrounded by storm clouds. However, no one was worried because we had a short day: 49 miles. Exponentially shorter than the 70-85 mile days we have been riding. We had a delicious breakfast of biscuits, bacon, sausage, and eggs. There was chocolate gravy for the biscuits which I highly recommend if you haven't tried it!! It's like a light chocolate syrup of deliciousness. 

After breakfast, the rain had stopped so we started loading up the trailer. Due to the short mileage, no one was in a hurry to leave so we had a dance party with music featuring Usher, Lady Gaga, Katie Perry, and Justin Bieber. 

We now have a "community item" which Chris picked up at a garage sale yesterday. It is a bamboo stick with a deer foot attached. The guy was selling it for $10 but Chris talked him down to $5. "You need this," said the seller. "It's $10." "I need it for $5," Chris replied smoothly. Sold!

Chris and the deer-foot cane 

During the dance party, we got the deer cane out and took turns dancing with it. Here's a picture of Sarah grooving with the cane: 


Over the course of the trip, we have accumulated many weird items along with the deer-cane. One ongoing joke, started by Marcus, is the hiding of creepy dolls in each other's luggage and the trailer. At lunch, they were hanging out all over the trailer. How many dolls can you spot in this picture?

There is also a gnome in there. 

Curtis definitely had the most interesting lunch concoction today.

It was a sandwich with peanut butter, honey, baked beans, pulled pork, and broccoli. Mmmmmmmm!

Today, Mel got her first flat. We were only 4 miles in when she got a metal stick through her tire and busted her tube. She changed it successfully and was so proud that she could do it all by herself. I've never seen someone change a flat so happily.


Unfortunately, there was no sign at the Mississippi border to take a picture with so we had to make our own. There was a place on the road when the pavement went from asphalt to some kind of orange road so that's how we knew it was the border. We took tons of pictures. 


The unofficial "state line"

We spelled "Mississippi" with our bods. (Sorry, this is a picture of a picture)

It was a very doable ride today that everyone enjoyed. We stopped to take pictures at Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo, MS!

Kat and I doing our "best" Elvis impressions

We were caught in a huge storm like a mile away from our destination. With thunder and lightning all around us, we pedaled as fast as we could while locals in the neighborhood sat on their front porches and snapped pictures of the crazy cyclists biking through the hurricane. 

Mel, Amanda, Cindy, Kat, and I after braving the storm!

Tomorrow we have a build day and my friend, Max, who's on NC2SD is traveling from Memphis, TN to build with us! I am so excited to see him and to introduce him to my awesome group! Thanks for reading and I send you all love from Tupelo!

Sarah sleeping next to The King

1 comment:

  1. Nice recap of your adventures! We are all jealous of your fun!!! xxxooo Mom

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