Weather:
Crisp and clear blue skies with a temperature
near 50 degrees. Lots of fog and cold updrafts as we climbed
into some hilly terrain.
Continued cool temps and patchy clouds
in the afternoon. We cycled north into 10 mph headwinds for most
of the day!!
High reached the low 60's.
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Points of Interest:
Natchez Trace: We rode the Natchez Trace
Parkway for 111 of the 129 miles today. This parkway stretches
from Natchez, MS in to Nashville, TN (more than 400 miles). This
road was built along an old Indian trail which evolved 200 years
ago through repeated use by the Natchez Indians (a hunter/gatherer
tribe) as well as settlers and traders. The Natchez trace was
fraught with danger due to unfriendly Indians, thieves, and floods.
The only danger we encountered was stiff headwinds!!
Passed by Indian burial grounds.
We crossed the Alabama and Tennessee state
lines and the beautiful Tennessee River.
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Highlights:
The scenery was gorgeous with rolling
green hills and beautiful pine trees, more cow pastures and some
cotton fields. The cool, crisp air and bright sunshine were a
welcome sight and we didn't even mind the relentless headwinds
and rough road surface.
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People We Rode With:
Bruce and Brian rode together after the
first stop and formed a paceline to deal with the headwinds.
The climbing was steady and challenging but not nearly as difficult
as earlier in the trip.
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Comments/Quotes:
Brian's speedometer decided to start working
again, apparently after having a chance to dry out!
Brian has now left two pairs of bike shorts
at hotels, one in Socorro, NM and the other in Lula, MS.
We have formed a new, polytheistic religion
based upon a faith in the bike gods and dedication to finding
true wisdom of cross-country cycling. The central gods of this
religion are the God of Bike Tires and the God of Weather (Mother
Nature). There are several lesser gods including the God of Irritating
Bike Noises, the God of Bike Computers and the The God of Saddle
Sores. We have learned from experience the importance of frequently
paying homage to these gods and remaining ever humble and thankful
for their generosity.
Deep spiritual feelings were aroused as
we traveled along the Natchez Indian trail. This confirmed suspicions
that our "hunter/gatherer" approach to eating and shopping
can be traced back to an Indian heritage!!!
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