Have you donated to National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet? If not here is the direct link to my profile page where you can make a donation and end the world of MS:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/KSGBikeEvents?px=1782261&pg=personal&fr_id=20078

your donation will make a difference, please help. Thank you. The Old Guy

Standing on the corner of Bourbon and St Louis Street

Graham had to work this morning, he allowed me to stay until I felt like leaving.  Stayed in bed for another hour before getting up, cleaned up and packed up.  I decide to explore New Orleans for a few hours before heading over to Jaden’s home for my final night in town.  Instead of writing much about today, decided I’d take pictures for you.  Folks in New Orleans love to decorate their yard for Halloween, one home in particular the woman of the house, who was in the yard when I stopped, loves to decorate.  She said her grandchildren love all the decorations.  Plus her own parents are still alive and they like to sit on the balcony over looking the yard watching people who stop to see the yard art.  The gal is quite artistic and clever with her captions for her various Halloween decorations so there are quite a few pictures of her art for you to view.

Looking down Bourbon Street from the corner of St Louis

              Hand made bricks used for sidewalk circa 1800s

Skeleton with cigar on the door of one home

Jacques Imos Real Nawlins Food Truck. The place wasn’t yet open for the day or I would have stopped in for a beer, at least.

Pelican yard ornament

Trolley on St Charles Ave

That’s all folks, hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Have you donated to National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet? If not here is the direct link to my profile page where you can make a donation and end the world of MS:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/KSGBikeEvents?px=1782261&pg=personal&fr_id=20078

your donation will make a difference, please help. Thank you. The Old Guy

Alvin and I were up at six AM, had a quick breakfast and headed to the Gulf.  As we left Houma we had to cross ride across a draw bridge high above the HoumaNavigationCanal where I got to see my first of many shrimp boats.  Alvin told me this was the only hill between us and the Gulf.  As we rode south we were helped along with a strong northern wind (finally wind in my favor) the morning was beautiful and the ride through Marshes, crossing various channels and seeing many more shrimp boats anchored waiting to head out to catch one of my favorite seafood.  As we needed to finish quick as possible I did have a little difficulty keeping up with the pace Alvin set for us.  Proving me right in my thesis Alvin was putting me on with his modest, “I’ll try to keep up” line.  That said he was great company for this little jaunt to complete my riding the length of the Mississippi.  Also confirming Alvin has the enthusiasm and ability to motivate and lead folks on bicycle tours.  I trust I will do as well when I lead folks on their bicycle adventures.

First Shrimp boat we spotted

Shrimp boat fleet preparing to head out into the Gulf.

Arriving in Cocodrie was a bit anti-climatic as the road ended at a Marina which sits on yet another small canal.  The Marina has a large sign hanging above its second story frame structure proclaiming “Where the road ends and the Gulf begins”.

Cocodriea – Gulf of Mexico “Where the Road Ends and the Gulf Begins”.

Alvin took a couple pictures for insertion in this journal and we laid our plans for getting back to his place.  Alvin realized I wasn’t capable of keeping up with him and as we were short on time for to be able to be in New Orleans by two PM for his daughter’s birthday party, he said he’d ride back to his place get his truck and drive back to pick me up however far I made it north.  I agreed with Alvin’s plan and told him I was going to take a short break before heading into what must be a 20 mph headwind.  With that Alvin pedaled toward home.

Just can’t resist taking a picture of beautiful wildflowers I find along the road.

After taking my break, I noticed four guys standing between two pick up trucks talking about how much fun they had had fishing the past couple days.  It appeared three of the guys were preparing to “drive” home.  Seeing as the road only goes north I introduced myself to the group and told them about the adventure I just completed.  Of course, I added my need to get back to Houma as soon as possible and would they be willing to give me a ride.  The guys were receptive to doing that and helped me load my bike into the back of one of the pick-ups and I jumped into the rear seat of their crew cab and we were on our way north.  A few miles up the road we came to Alvin standing on the side of the road talking on his cell phone.  My newest “Road Angel” buddies asked if I’d like them to stop and pick up Alvin, which I enthusiastically said yes.  Alvin was talking to a friend who had offered to come pick him up if we rand sh0rt on time.  So even an accomplished tour guide knows when it is better to accept a ride in a motor vehicle than continue on a bike.  This revelation was enlightening and made me feel good knowing when to recognize my limitations and seek a ride.

As we drove to Houma Alvin and I learned these four “Road Angels” were professional bronco-busting bull (riding 1,500 lb wild bulls for the amusement of rodeo fans) riders who travel all across America to rodeos.  I tried riding a wild bull once at a local rodeo in Nevada.  Let me tell you these guys have my highest respect as bull riding is an insane occupation where broken bones, their own, are frequent occurrences.   Though I also have to admit doing such is a hell of an adrenalin rush.  Which these 3 guys admitted is much of the reason they do it as well as the celebrity status they receive from fans.

The bull riders dropped us off at the same intersection I had phoned Alvin from yesterday.  On the way to Alvin’s we passed the Shrimp processing plant Lep (My Warm Shower Host in Jackson, LA) and family have owned for over 100 years.  Had to stop and take a picture.

Dried Shrimp processing plant owned by Lep’s family for over 100 years.

Thanks to my new bull riders buddies Alvin and I were back on schedule.  At Alvin’s home we took a shower, I packed up my gear and we were on our way to New Orleans.  On the north edge of Houma Alvin stopped at one of his favorite Creole restaurants.  He treated me to the house specialty; Louisiana Creole crawdads, shrimp, fried frog legs and several side dishes.  The meal was not only delicious but huge.  Thought Alvin was going to have to roll me out to his pick-up and use a floor jack to boost me up into the cab of the truck.

Out on I-49 (Hwy 90) Alvin first showed me I should have stayed on this highway to save about 10 miles of riding.  A few miles further along we began going through the construction zones and Alvin said he didn’t realize they had begun construction of this section of Hwy 90 converting it to Interstate status.  Had he known he said he could have routed me out of it.  I told him no problem as I made it through without becoming Road kill.  Once in New Orleans Alvin took me to tonight’s Warm Shower host Graham Ballard’s home.   Graham lives in a section of New Orleans which is still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina, in fact the home two doors down from him was being renovated as were several others on the block.  Graham was at work and had left a key for me to get into the house.  I spent what was left of the afternoon checking email which I hadn’t done for about a week.

When Graham arrived home we decided to go out for pizza and a beer at one of his favorite neighborhood bars.  While at dinner Graham shared with me how and why he moved to New Orleans.  He is yet another soul who first came to New Orleans to go to school and stayed because he fell in love with the area.  I have to admit the variety of ethnic foods, beautiful homes and charm of this city is intriguing and if you like to party it’s a place to be.  As for me guess I’m too much country for big cities, though I wouldn’t mind coming back to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras.

After dinner Graham and I explored his neighborhood and he showed me the easiest way to get to Jaden’s home in the French Quarter.  Jaden, my Warm Shower host who I stayed with my first night in New Orleans, offered to disassemble and box Spirit for the flight to Kansas City.  He also said he’d take me to the airport.  Both offers were too good to turn down, especially since I’m a mechanical moron and reluctant to tackle disassembling my bike in fear of messing up the drive train or steering system.

Graham and I went over my map of New Orleans and as Jaden had told me, New Orleans is a basically in a bowl shape with a couple arterial east to west streets, St Charles and Magazine, that run the length of the city and North South Avenues, Jefferson, Napoleon and Louisiana.  If I keep those five in my memory I’d be able to get around the city without getting confused (lost).  I thanked Graham for his hospitality and told him I’d explore this city he and so many others have fallen in love with.  Of course, I will have to be sure and include a jaunt over to the infamous Bourbon Street of New Orleans.  Graham wished me well and said if I ever come back to New Orleans I’d be welcome at his place.  With that we called it night.

Today was a very good day.  I have no doubt I’m addicted to the adventure of discovering America from the seat of a bicycle.  There are so many wonderful and beautiful places to visit.   Meeting new friends and discovering the real beauty and strength of America are “We the People”.  Thank you God for showing me a whole new wonderful world I live in.

Have you donated to National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet? If not here is the direct link to my profile page where you can make a donation and end the world of MS:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Bike/KSGBikeEvents?px=1782261&pg=personal&fr_id=20078

your donation will make a difference, please help. Thank you. The Old Guy

New Orleans Skyline

Jaden was racing today and needed to leave the house by 6:20 so decided I’d leave at the same time which would allow me to get this short flat day of about 60 miles over early or so I thought.   I made my way to Magazine Street and began looking for a diner to have some breakfast.  I passed a number of taverns open, I later learned a good many bars in New Orleans are open 24/7 (24 hours, seven days a week)  but I didn’t find any diners open.  Finally after a couple miles I spotted Slim Goodies, the place looked like a hole in the wall but it was filled with local folks an indication the food will be good.  I liked the diner’s logo “Diner Cookin’ with Love”.   I found a table close to the front window where I could keep an eye on Spirit just in case someone got the idea they would like to own my trusty steed.  Adam, my server arrived at the table almost as soon as I sat down with a cup of coffee and glass of water.  He was enthusiastically interested in my ride and even went outside to check out Spirit as did several other patrons.  When Adam returned I inquired what he’d recommend as the menu had a large selection of goodies to offer.  He recommended the “Bon Ton” a large 3 egg omelet stuffed with a crawfish etouffee (a wonderful blend of crawfish, cheese and Creole spices).   His selection didn’t disappoint, great tasting and huge it filled my tummy quite nicely.  I thanked Adam for the good advice and great service.  If you are ever in New Orleans and want a great breakfast where the locals eat you have to eat at Slim Goodies.

After leaving Slim Goodies, it was a quick and easy ride to Canal Street and the Ferry landing.  I was really surprised at how little traffic there was on the streets for a Saturday morning, then again it wasn’t yet 7:30 AM.  While waiting for the Ferry to arrive I met a local on a bicycle who had just finished his shift at one of the bars on Bourbon Street and was heading home.   Mike was quite an interesting fellow, came to New Orleans from the Northeast to visit and decided to stay.  In addition to bar tending Mike has been successful in being hired as a movie extra in several movies filmed here in New Orleans.  The movie industry has discovered New Orleans as a place with character and low costs compared to LA.  Mike will be in the latest Quentin Tarantino movie “Django Unchained” which will be released in December.  I’ll have to go to that movie and see if I can spot Mike, he’s one of the hostages in a scene.

Mike my new friend told me the Gretna Ferry I planned on taking wasn’t running but the Algiers Ferry which he would be crossing on will get me across the river and would only add a couple miles to my ride along the levee.  I was surprised to learn from Mike that the levee pedestrian/bicycle path was only about 8 miles in the direction I was heading as I thought it would be at least double that length.  He further stated parts of the levee path would be gravel, not good as riding Spirit loaded with gear if the gravel is deep can be difficult to keep upright.  Looks like I’ll be doing more riding on city streets than planned.

On the ferry crossing the Mississippi River from New Orleans to Algiers.

After crossing the river I bid my new friend a good day and headed west along the Levee path.  The gravel sections turned out to be hard packed pea size gravel and easy to ride.  I quickly arrived at Gretna and yet another surprise as this section of the Levee was closed do to a street festival going on.  I stopped and visited with 4 security staff guarding the street entering the festival as it was not yet open to the public.  They were allowing only vendors and delivery vehicles into the area.  At first I was instructed how to bypass the blocked off area but after visiting with security a few minutes they decided they would allow me to go through instead of around and one of the guys even volunteered to lead the way with his golf cart.  I can not stress enough how friendly and helpful folks have been along the Mississippi River.   Heck, even on last year’s adventure I never met a mean spirited person.  It really makes me proud to be an American.

Once around Gretna, I was already at 8 miles and supposedly the levee path ended about now so decided to jump on West Bank Expressway (Business Hwy. 90).   Only a couple miles on the Expressway it widened to 8 lanes with quite a bit more traffic especially compared the desolate streets I had encountered on the New Orleans side of the river for a Saturday morning.   Guess this side of the river is more the everyday working person’s side.  A few folks took issue with me riding my bike on their street and honked at me.  There was no bike lane, no sidewalk and a bicycle is considered a vehicle and has a right to be on the street as much as a motor vehicle.  Yet a few ignorant, fortunately very few, folks who think otherwise either that or maybe they don’t have a brain or at the least if they do it’s disengaged so they blast their vehicle’s horn to intimidate me or guess they think blowing their horn will make me magically disappear.  Who knows what is going through their head, could be just air which would explain their reaction.

A few more miles along the West Bank Expressway the highway drops down to four-lanes with a road shoulder allowing for a lot less stress of being run over by a negligent driver.  But hey now the fun starts as I ride along veering left and right to miss broken glass, a sundry of broken or fallen off motor vehicle parts, road kill and most dreaded of all tire shards which can flatten a bicycle tire due haste.  Riding this stretch of highway is a piece of cake.  Right!  Noooo!  We have construction going on, first a high over-pass to cross with a narrow shoulder and rumble strips.  Good thing I don’t have false teeth or they would shake out of my mouth but I made it over.  Looking back at the over-pass I decide it equals the highest hill I’ve had to climb since leaving Missouri.  Didn’t seem like it though as my adrenalin was pumping a mile a minute due to the traffic whizzing by me at close range.  Think the fun of riding Hwy. 90 is over, no next I encounter 3 bridge constructions to cross with no shoulder.  Hey, but there are signs warning drivers to slow down to 45 mph in construction zones or fines double.  Then there are signs stating hitting a construction worker and get a fine of $10,000.00 + prison time.  Wonder if there would be the same penalty for running down a bicyclist?  Each time I came to one of the bridge crossings I would say a quick prayer and then I’d pedal like all hell was chasing me until I crossed the bridge.  God does indeed look after this old guy as I didn’t get run over and squashed like the poor road kill laying on the side of the road.  Speaking of “Road Kill” a first for this Northerner alligator road kill, yep that’s a fact and here is a picture for you to see one.

Gators are common road kill sights inthis part of Louisana.

When I came to the exit for Raceland which is on State Hwy. 182 Alvin (tonight’s Warm Showers) host had told me to by-pass Raceland and continue on Hwy 90 but at this junction Hwy 90 became I-49 and bicycles are not allowed on Interstate highways.  In addition I was getting tired of dodging road debris and worried there would be yet another bridge construction or two.  Thus, instead of heeding Alvin’s advice I exited onto State Hwy 182.  After less than a mile on Hwy 182 the shoulder disappeared and I was forced onto the roadway where I immediately was honked at by several passing motorists.  I just can’t seem to catch a brake today.  I still have about 20 miles to go and I’ve already exceeded the 60 miles I thought I’d be riding today.  Even though there are no hills addition and additional 30 miles onto a ride is a chore.  Arriving in Raceland I decided to stop for something to eat at a locally owned drive-in restaurant.  It was busy with locals ordering take-out and dining in.  I chose to sit outside in the heat than in an air-conditioned dining area.  While eating my meal I phoned Alvin as I’m already an hour past when I thought I’d arrive at his place.  He said I added about 10 more miles to my ride taking Hwy. 182 but I’d be happy when I left Raceland as the road between here and Houma had a wide and mostly free of debris shoulder.  I thanked him for the good news and I’d be at his place in a couple hours.   Can’t say as I thought much of the food at this drive-in but perhaps it was due to my being overly tired and a bit discouraged with all the extra miles.  After finishing my meal I headed to Houma and as Alvin said the riding was straight, level, extra wide shoulder and stress free riding the rest of the way to Houma.

At the main intersection in Houma I stopped at a convenience store for a break and to ask the way to Hwy 315 as there were no signs.  Are you kidding me, I asked a least a half dozen folks where Hwy 315 and not one of them knew of its whereabouts.  Today I figured out why.  When Hwy 182 enters Houma it becomes Barrow Street, on the way out of town it is listed as Hwy 315.  Either the Hwy. 315 designation was made recently or folks hereabouts don’t look at signs posted along the roadway?

As I rode up to Alvin’s apartment complex he was riding out the gate to meet me.  First thing you notice about Alvin is his muscular physique barrel chest, which is even more evident when you seeing him from behind, starting at his should you see a wide “V” shape down to his hips, but most impressive is his calves were the size of ¼ keg beer barrels.   As we were riding to Alvin’s apartment he said he’d ride with me tomorrow to my final destination, where the road ends and the Gulf begins and he would try to keep up with me.   “Yea, right”, I responded, “those barrel size calves say otherwise”.  Alvin got a good chuckle out of that.

Over the course of the evening I learned Alvin is one of Adventure Cycling’s tour guides and led the first tour of the new Underground Railroad route, from the Gulf to near Canada, and the 30^th year Anniversary of the Trans-Am route across America.   Alvin’s tour experiences were endless and as much pleasure to listen to as Judy Cureton in Cape Girardeau.

Another surprise Alvin laid on me is that his daughter who lives in New Orleans is having a birthday party tomorrow and Alvin will be going and thus we drive me back to New Orleans.  What a relief as I was dreading having to ride, risk my life, on Hwy 90 (I-49) a second time.

Though I thought this was going to be a short easy ride today of about 60 miles, turned out to be a marathon 88 miler, much like this journal entry is too long.   I was rewarded with meeting yet another outstanding personality with lots of bicycle adventures to share and a great new friend.

Have you donated to National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet? If not here is the direct link to my profile page where you can make a donation and end the world of MS:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=1782261&pg=personal&fr_id=17893&s_tafId=230714
your donation will make a difference, please help. Thank you. The Old Guy

Nice!  Slept in this morning as Lep and Perry have talked me into taking the bus between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and they have to go to Baton Rouge today so will drive me to the bus station as well.  I slept with the windows open in the little A-Frame camper to enjoy the sounds of being in a wooded area and the cool night air.  The bed was comfortable and for a change I only had to get up once for a potty call, it’s and Old Guy thing to have to get up during the night.

By the time I dressed and packed my gear onto Spirit and made it to the main house Lep and Perry had breakfast ready.  We picked up on our conversation of last night about all the touring bicyclists that stay at their place, still amazing they welcome hundreds of folks into their home, even giving up their bedroom to guests as they did last night.  Perry and Lep are true “Road Angels” for bicycle travelers.  After breakfast we loaded Spirit onto the bike rack on Perry’s mini-van, took a picture of us together and headed to Baton Rouge. 

Arriving in Baton Rouge we immediately went to the bus depot where I purchased for $5.00 a ticket to ride from there to New Orleans, what a bargain.   The inexpensive fare and route from Baton Rouge to New Orleans is a carry over from Huricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans 7 years ago.  Many folks had to evacute the area, some temperarily settled in Baton Rouge needed to get back and forth to their home or job in New Orleans during the rebuilding process.  Let me back up a second here to explain why I’m riding the bus instead of riding Spirit.  The MRT route between Baton Rouge to New Orleans is now a 4 lane road with fast traffic through mostly an industrial zone and not bicyclist friendly either.  That was enough to convince me to ride the bus.

After purchasing my bus ticket I decided to treat Lep and Perry to lunch at their favorite Thai restaurant just down the street from the bus depot.  These folks have been so kind and generous to me and so many other riders I felt it was the least I could do to show my appreication.  Perry and Lep then took me back to the bus station and even waited with me for the bus to arrive.  I was glad they waited as it turned out there were a good many folks taking the bus to New Orleans and it would have been difficult to load all my gear and bike under the bus without their help.  Every seat on the bus was filled by the time we pulled out of the station.  The ride to New Orleans took about an hour and half and not much to report say about the ride except there was lots of motor vehicle traffic.

As the bus neared New Orleans I phoned tonight’s Warm Shower host Jaden.   He said he’d ride to the bus stop on his bike and lead me back to his place.  Small glitch in the plan as I excited the bus one stop before the one where Jaden thought I’d get off.  Not much of a problem as the distance between the two stops was less than a mile and rush hour traffic was at a standstill so Jaden was able to ride to where I was by the time I had loaded my gear back onto Spirit.

While I was loading my gear onto Spirit a lady came up to me and said she recognized me as the bicyclist riding the length of the Mississippi River for charity she had read about in the newspaper up in Baton Rouge.  Wow!  I thought to myself how did newspapers get my story and picture this far south.  The last newspaper I had been interviewed by was in Charleston,MO.  Then I remembered Kevin Smith my Warm Shower host in Helena, Arkansas had told me he was going to get a story in the newspaper there but this is 400 miles south.  Yet, I’ve had folks make the same statement in Rosedale and Natchez Mississippi and now a lady from Baton Rouge, could it be possible Kevin managed to contact more than his local newspaper?

As I cinched down my last pannier Jaden rode up on his bike.  The kid looks like a bicycle racer.  Oh!  That’s right he races for Louisiana State University (LSU) here in New Orleans.  Jaden introduced himself and told me to follow him as he could get us us out of the downtown traffic congestion, compounded by major street construction with lane and entire street closures.  Sure was glad Jaden had decided to meet me as I don’t think I would have found my way from in the mass confusion of traffic.  As we mounted up I did remind Jaden my riding speed was slow as a turtle.  Jaden laughed told me not to worry he’d ride slow.  I chuckled to myself as even sitting still Jaden looked like he was racing.  True to his word Jaden kept the pace slow enough for me to hang with him.  We weaved in and around neighborhood streets deep in the bowl or crescent area of New Orleans avoiding the busy motor traffic on St. Charles Avenue.  Turns out Jaden’s place was only a block off that major through street and we could have probably cut the distance riding to his place in half.  I quickly learned the side streets in New Orleans are in terrible condition with numerous potholes and street upheavals going fast was out of the question for motorists on these streets.  I appreciated Jaden’s conscientious effort to keep me safe and didn’t mind riding a couple extra miles.  All of a whopping 4 miles today!

Arriving at Jaden’s home a Shotgun style double with touches of Victorian Trim (Sound like I know what I’m talking about in architecture?  Nope but I was impressed enough with the beauty of his home to go on line and find a home closely resembling his).  For sure there is no shortage of beautiful historic homes from the 18^th and early 19th century in New Orleans.   Since I was marveling at all the beautiful homes we passed on our short ride to his place Jaden offered to give me a ride around town in his pickup to better sightsee the awesome architecture throughout the Garden District.  I discovered we were only a short distance from the campus of Tulane and Loyola Universities.  As  I marveled at the beauty of New Orleans, Jaden shared with me many folks come to the Big Easy and fall in love with the city’s archeture but also of its history, variety of music (not just the blues), great foods (not just Creole) and the revelry and stay the rest of their life or at least a few years.  Before now my opinion of New Orleans was based on a brief visit which was mostly on Bourbon Street and I didn’t care much to for it. New Orleans is a historic treasure and a great place to include on your places visit in America.  To do it right stay a week or maybe you will even become endured to the city and move here?

Snapped this picture of the Superdome as Jaden was driving me around sightseeing.

Visiting with Jaden at dinner, we had Mediterranean Cuisine one my favorite ethnic foods, he confirmed it was a good decision to take the bus today as he has a bicyclist friend who is still recovering from major injuries sustained when a hit-n-run driver clobbered him on that stretch of road last year.  Then another story of a rider wasn’t as fortunate as he died.   As I sat listening to Jaden’s horror stories of bicyclists being run over by motorists I found myself once again silently thanking God for protecting me on my journeys.

Jaden and the Old Guy on the front porch of his Double Wide Shotgun style home with Victorian Trim.

Pre Civil War Slaves quarters on a plantation south of Natchez

 Started the day with a hot and hearty breakfast at the Day’s Inn.  Breakfast was available starting at 6:00 AM which allowed me plenty of time to enjoy breakfast and still get on the road by 7:20.  No rain today, Yah!   US 61 out of Natchez is a 4 lane highway with fast moving motor vehicle traffic with a decent shoulder for the most part.  I did have to contend with some ill placed rumble strips.  One idea I can not stress enough is to ride with an American Flag flying from the rear of your bicycle as it definitely helps drivers to see you and even if they don’t respect you as a bicyclist they do respect our Flag.  Most passing drivers will move over to the passing lane when they went pass you as they did this day.  Between the wide shoulder and the Flag I felt fairly safe even on this very busy highway.  That said, about 20 miles into the ride when I came upon a large thick bank of fog which dropped visibility dropped to under 1/8^th of a mile.  Suddenly passing vehicles were no longer moving to the passing lane a good indication the fog was keeping them from seeing me.  The Old Guy, at least I like to think so is not stupid and it was time to see if I could hitch a ride.  About the 3^rd or 4^th pick-up that came by stopped.  I asked the driver if I might have a ride through the fog area which he agreed to provide and even got helped me load Spirit into the bed of his pick-up.  When I hopped into the passenger side of the vehicle, I noticed a pistol lying on the seat.  I commented to the driver, “Nice piece you have, a Glock compact 40 caliber, right”?  He nodded that was an affirmative.  At the same time he picked up the pistol and stashed it behind him.  He was surprised I was familiar with his handgun and further went on to state he didn’t pick up hitchhikers as a rule it being to risky now days.  Side note here, this is the third time out of five rides I’ve received since leaving St Louis that the driver was carrying a pistol for self-defense purposes.  There is a lot of mistrust between folks of color in the deep-south.  Guess I’ve been pretty lucky as I’ve only met nice folks of both the white and black race willing to help an Old Guy in need of a ride.  Anyway I told my newest “Road Angel” I understand the need to protect one’s self in today’s economic environment.  After additionally sharing with Matt that I’ve been in the firearm business for over 40 years which is why I knew a little about the pistol he was carrying he felt more at ease having picked up a stranger.  This led to a good discussion regards to self defense, the state of our economy and how much it lends to desperation of some folks to resort to robbery.  All too quickly we arrived at the newWelcomeCenter forMississippi on the south side of Woodville.  Matt helped me unload Spirit we shook hands, wished each other well and went our separate ways as friends.

Since leaving Natchez I deviated from the actual MRT route in order to stay at my next Warm Shower Hosts in Jackson, Louisiana tonight.  Perry, the Warm Shower Host, suggested the route deviation as it was a more scenic route with less traffic than the actual MRT as well as cutting some mileage from my ride to the Gulf, sounded good to me so took her route advice.  As I rode onto the road to Jackson there was a highway sign stating “Rough Road” what an understatement that turned out to be.  This road had potholes every few feet the size of craters.  I found myself weaving from one side of road to the other trying to avoid them as well as avoid being run over by big heavy-duty gravel trucks at the same time.  The trucks also explained why the road was in such poor condition.  After a couple miles the road smoothed out and the truck traffic ended at a quarry, allowing me to enjoy the rest of the scenic ride to Perry and Lep’s home.

Crossing into my 10th and final State on the MRT

Perry and Lep’s home sets about a quarter mile off the highway surrounded by woods with a huge open grassy area with a nice pond for camping.  So cyclist don’t miss their place they have hung a bicyclist flag at the driveway to their home.  What an idyllic setting for tired touring bicyclists to kick back for some Rest and Relaxation.  Their home is on Adventure Cycling’s Southern Tier route for crossing America.  Between Southern Tier Cyclists and folks following Perry’s advice to deviate from the MRT I learned so far this year they have hosted a couple hundred touring cyclists.

Perry was in the garden with her two cute little dogs, both well trained and with big personalities, all three were excited to greet me as their latest guest to lavish attention on.  Being an experienced touring cyclist Perry immediately cut up some fresh pineapple added it to a dish of yogurt and handed it to me to enjoy and re-energize me.  After gulping down this delicious treat Perry showed me around her touring bicyclist paradise.  This day there were five other guests staying at the place.  Perry suggested I might enjoy a little solitude in a neat little A-Frame camper sitting close to the woods for tonight.  About 20 yard away from the camper was an outdoor shower for my personal use which was a really nice touch of making one feel like he/she is communing with nature in luxury.

After cleaning up I returned to the main house where Perry and I swapped stories from the road and visitors to her home for the next couple hours.  About 6 PM Lep, Perry’s husband, arrived home.  Lep’s family owns Blum & Bergeron, Inc. a shrimp freeze dried business down in Houma 150 miles southwest of Jackson.  This year marks 100 years the business has been owned by his family. Houma is the town I’ll be in the last night before riding to the Gulf of Mexico.  I’ll be sure to stop and take a picture for you.

Stories from the road and visitors to Perry and Lep’s home continued through dinner and evening.  Lep plans on retiring in a year or so and than they will begin doing some long distance touring of their own.  Until then they will continue doing week to 10 day long tours.  Retiring to my little A-frame camper bungalow I thanked God for once again blessing me with new friendships and experiences while on the road.  I love it!

Leupold “Lep”, Perry and the Old Guy

Frank Briscoe aka “Old Guy on a Bicycle” stops in Tiptonville overnight while riding the length of the Mississippi River

Lake County Banner– Page 1
by Evan Jones,
Tiptonville,TN 

Compared to his last ride, Frank Briscoe’s trek from the headwaters of the Mississippito the Gulf of Mexicois just a hop, skip and a jump. Briscoe and his well-loaded bicycle made a stop in Tiptonville last Thursday as he makes his way from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf south of New Orleans following the path of the Mississippi River.  “I have an extreme passion for bicycling”, he said.  “In fact, as of October 2011, I have logged over 23,000 miles since I began biking in 2005”.  

“I have always appreciated the great outdoors, e.g., football, motorcycle racing, hunting, the Boy Scouts (as a Scout and Scout Master), jogging, hiking and backpacking, caving, sport rappelling, white water rafting and canoeing.   Some of these have taken their toll on this “Old Guy.   I wondered how I could continue to enjoy outdoor sports, exercise my body and soul, and still be able to get out of bed the next morning!  I found it in biking.

“On October 4, 2011, after 126 days and more than 6,000 miles I can say I made it from the northwestern most corner of Washington State’s San Juan Islands to the southeastern most tip of Florida, I fulfilled my childhood dream.  It was much more than I ever imagined and truly renewed my spirit and introduced me to fabulous, caring and kind people along the way”.

Briscoe, 66, is a retired car dealer and entrepreneur from Nevada (pronounced NE-vada), Missouri.  Now on Social Security he often seeks a church or fire station for overnight accommodations and last week he spent the night at the Tiptonville Methodist Church.  Faith and friends have sustained him on the long ride which he says he attempts to make about 65 miles per day.

“The best part is meeting the people”, he said as he waited out a thunderstorm Thursday morning.   “It has been amazing”.  He said he has become closer to God on his many bike adventures.  “He is there”, Briscoe said.  “He has taken care of me and provided for me”.

During a really long stretch of deserted road in Minnesota, he was thinking he could really needed a place to stop for food and water.  “There up ahead appeared this country store, in the middle of no where and it wasn’t on my map”, he said.  “It just appeared.  It had the nicest people running it.  The owner asof the store and a Christian came in and asked, “Do you believe in God, if you do he will take care of you when you are in need”.  And his closest call “so far”on the trip came in Minnesota.  “It was on a highway that had virtually no shoulder.  I could see an 18 wheeler coming up behind me.  He laid on his horn and I got over as far as I could.  There was no on-coming traffic.  When he passed me, he got just as close to me as he could.  The back wheels on the trailer came within inches of me me”.  “I have no idea why he did that but it was on purpose”.

He is dedicating his ride to the fight against Multiple Sclerosis and is a fund-raiser for that cause.  His business card leads with “Say no to MS”.

Briscoe crossed the Hickman-Dorena Ferry to get into Kentucky and then biked to Tiptonville for an overnight stay.  After leaving Tiptonville he planned to use the Great River Road bike trail to Memphis and the cross into Arkansas.  Someone warned him about the steep hill just above the Obion River near Bogota.  “I’ll make it”, he said with a laugh.  “I haven’t found a hill I can’t walk up yet”.

Persons can follow Frank’s  adventures on www.oldguyonabicycle.com or email him at frank@oldguyonabicycle.com

Distance 72 miles all on my bike, 10.9 mph average, 6:36 ride time, actual time on the road 8 hours 05 minutes. Today’s Expenses $5.55

Have you donated to National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet? If not here is the direct link to my profile page where you can make a donation and end the world of MS:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=1782261&pg=personal&fr_id=17893&s_tafId=230714
your donation will make a difference, please help. Thank you. The Old Guy

This is getting ridiculous!  I was ready to ride at 7:15 but as I rolled Spirit out of the fire station a thunderstorm struck.  Back inside the station I went and upstairs had some breakfast to wait out this latest storm.  Can’t make up my mind if I should change my moniker to “Old Guy Hitch’in a Ride” or “Old Guy the Rainmaker” either would be just as appropriate after this adventure.  One of the “B” shift fireman just coming on duty checked the weather forecast and radar for me on his laptop.  It appeared this was a small storm cell which should move eastward rather quickly.  Sure enough by 9 AM the rain stopped and the sun came out.  On my way out of Vicksburg I stopped to take a couple pictures of the Mississippi from the Visitor Center.

Vicksburg Waterfront looking north up the Mississippi River

Vicksburg waterfront looking south from the visitor center

Though today’s ride is 16 miles shorter than yesterday’s it was much more of a challenge due to reentering hill country.  Don’t know what I was thinking but when I got on the Natchez Trace I was thinking it was relatively flat but instead was a series of rolling hills, not steep but hills just the same.

Natchez Trace, Spanish moss on trees along the road

Didn’t really see much I wanted to take a picture of on the Trace except for this picture of Spanish moss on the trees.
Port Gibson was about the only community on this stretch of the MRT where I could stop for a bite to eat.  I stopped at a Subway for a Sunrise Breakfast sandwich on flat bread, my new favorite Subway sandwich.  While I was waiting in line to order the lady in front of me said, “I recognize you, you’re the bicyclist in the Newspaper article who is riding the length of the Mississippi”.  That surprised me as the last paper I was interviewed by was in Tiptonville, TN.  Then I remembered Kevin Smith the Warm Shower Host in Helena, Arkansas said he was going to submit an article to his local newspaper.  Yet Helena is almost 300 miles north of Port Gibson?  The lady further surprised me when she paid for my lunch and wished me a safe ride.  Her comment about the safe ride was weighing heavily on my mind, too.  When I rode the Natchez Trace three years ago as I was leaving Port Gibson a logging truck driver try to scare me off the road into a deep ditch by laying on his horn and coming as close to me as possible when he passed, I won the bluff but it did scare the hell out of me.

Port Gibson’s claim to fame came during the US Civil War when General Grant ordered his troops to spare the city as it is too pretty to burn.  General Grant and General Sherman used a “Scorched Earth” policy burning everything in their respective paths through the south.  By destroying much of the South’s physical and psychological capacity to wage war it would force the Confederacy into surrendering.  The policy for the most part worked.  War is hell for all but the politicians who wage them.

It was taking much longer time to get to Natchez, due to the hills, than I had anticipated and I needed to see if I could arrange somewhere to stay before getting there.  I pulled into a rest stop on the Trace and checked to see if my cell phone had service, it did.  A Google search for “Methodist Church, Natchez, MS” did Methodist church as I’m a baptized Methodist Church family member.  Jefferson Street United Methodist Church popped up and I read about the church being over 200 years old.  Then I read the Church’s Mission Statement and knew this was the church family to contact.  The Statement read:

The Jefferson Street community serves our neighbors and the world through many ministries. Several of these include children and youth ministries, providing needs for local people through our food pantry, and missionary work throughout the nation and the globe!

We are a people called to love and serve through being an example of Jesus Christ with “Open Hearts, Open Doors, and Open Minds.”

We welcome you with a southern hospitality that is truly unique to Mississippians…come and see us.

I knew this was the church to call and proceeded to dial the number.  Gladys the church secretary answered the phone and I told her who, what and why I was calling.  The tone of her voice wasn’t quite what I had expected, she was short and said the church was very busy today and didn’t have time for additional challenges.  I asked if I might speak with the Pastor, John Kramer.  A few moments later Pastor Kramer came on the line and I repeated my need for shelter for this night.  At first the Pastor said he was very busy and ran through a list of the many activities going on in the church today.  My heart sank and I was about to hang up when the Pastor said, come on in we’ll feed you and find you a place to stay tonight.  I suggested he might contact a church member who rides a bicycle.  Pastor Kramer said he had only been at the church for three months and didn’t yet know who what all the members of this 600 member congregation did for pastimes.  He assured me regardless he would find a place for me tonight.  Relieved that my needs for a place to stay this night was taken care of the rest of the ride to Natchez was much less stressful.

Historical marker in front of the church

Pastor John had provided me directions to the church which were excellent.  When I rode up to the Church I was amazed at the size and beauty of the Church.  The Methodist folks in Natchez have a lot to be proud of in their church.

Jefferson Street United Methodist Church, this section of the church was built over 200 years ago.

When I walked into the Church’s gym the first person to spot me was the good reverend John Kramer, we introduced ourselves and quickly began to form a bond of friendship and respect for each other.  True the church had a lot going on a kick-off dinner to this year’s tithing (Annual Financial Pledges), a slide presentation of the many ministries of the church and being Wednesday it was Bible Study night.  Pastor Kramer introduced me to many of the church family members and even invited me to set with him and his wife at dinner.

The Beautiful Sanctuary, notice the pipes to the organ at the front of the Sanctuay there is another set of them at the back, too.

 After dinner the Pastor even took a couple extra minutes to show me the beautiful 200 plus year old sanctuary with a very large pipe organ.  I’d love to stay for a Sunday service but that would be too many days to impose on church family.

Pastor John asked me to stay for the adult Bible study as he’d like to use me in the lesson.  OK, this should be interesting I thought.  It didn’t take long to realize why it would be good for me to join in tonight’s lesson as it was about the “Good Samaritan”.  Pastor John further surprised me when it came to the part about the Priest walking to the other side of the road and passing a beaten and robbed stranger in need of help lying in the road.  Pastor Kramer admitted he almost made that mistake today when I made my request for a place to stay.  His first reaction to my request was he was too busy to help a stranger.  That took a lot of courage on Pastor John’s part to admit.  I think the Jefferson Street United Methodist Church is going to be blessed with him.

During Bible study I discovered the man sitting next to me, Matt, is a bicyclist.  Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be staying the night at his home as the church had already made and paid for a motel reservation for me.  Since it was dark when Bible Study ended Matt did volunteer to give Spirit and me a ride to the motel.  On the ride to the motel  Matt and I discussed bicycling, church and even took a little time to show me a few of the beautiful Antebellum homes in Natchez.  My day ended knowing this Methodist church family truly does have “Open Hearts, Open Doors, and Open Minds”.  Thank you to all of my church family in Natchez, you are an inspiration.

Distance 88 miles all on my bike, 12.3 mph average, 7:08 ride time, actual time on the road 9 hours 10 minutes.  Today’s Expenses $19.70

Have you donated to National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet?  If not here is the direct link to my profile page where you can make a donation and end the world of MS:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=1782261&pg=personal&fr_id=17893&s_tafId=230714
your donation will make a difference, please help. Thank you. The Old Guy

Up at 6:15, dressed and walked over to Roy’s Store for a hearty breakfast before setting out for what would be my longest day of riding.  While having breakfast was able to visit with Pam one more time and a couple more local characters that made for great conversation.  Ah sigh of relief as I went outside to a sun shinny day. The riding was flat and easy alongside beautiful Lake Washington with very light traffic I was able to make great time even stopping frequently to take pictures.

Over 8″ of rain fell in about 36 hours flooding many fields and nearly flooding many homes along today’s route.

Blue Herring that I managed to take a picture of just before it took flight.

In fact, there were no hills to climb until arriving on the outskirts of Vicksburg making this stretch of the MRT one of the easiest of the entire journey along the Mississippi River.

Ruins of St John Protestant Episcopal Church founded in 1854. The lead in the windows of this church were melted down during the civil war to make bullets.

Cypress tree trunk near the shore of Lake Washington, MS.

Even my Shadow enjoyed riding today

Vicksburg was one of the overnight town’s where I didn’t have a place to stay lined out in advance.   In these instances I look for the first of three places to find shelter a church, fire department and chamber of commerce.  Riding through the heart of downtown Vicksburg just beyond the Historic district on Washington Street I spotted a large Fire Station to my left and immediately wheeled Spirit into the station where three fire fighters were taking a break.  I introduced myself to them and expressed my need to find a place to stay this night.  As predicted they all were quick to help me find a place.  One fireman phoned his Pastor, another phoned the Red Cross while the third went to get Deputy Fire Chief Mark Hales to see if I might be able to stay the night at the Station.  Immediately Deputy Chief Mark arrived and shook my hand and said while the guys were seeing if they could find me a place he would check with Fire Chief Charles Atkins to see if I would be allowed to stay at the Station if all else failed.  Within minutes Chief Atkins gave the OK for me to stay if no other arrangements could be found.  I like staying at fire stations the most as firefighters are always a great bunch of guys who have many stories to share of their own.  I crossed my fingers and said a quick prayer I’d be able to stay here at Central Fire Station #1, it worked.

Captain Shane Miller showed me to the upstairs living quarters of the station, another fire fighter found a towel for me to use when I took a shower.  After cleaning up Captain Shane offered me a lunch leftovers of Venison in brown gravy, red beans and rice and home grown green beans.  After having ridden 88 miles today I chowed down finished off all the leftovers.  I did wash the dishes I used as well as clean the pots the grub was in.  With a full tummy I next met Lieutenant Chris who looked over my map and lined out the easiest and safest route for me to follow when I continued my journey along the Mississippi tomorrow.

The next great firefighter I was introduced to was Assistant Chief Craig Danczyk.  He took the time to answer my many questions about the department and Vicksburg.  What a wealth of information he was regards to Vicksburg history especially during our civil war.  Vicksburg was a vital town to both sides during the civil war and many battles were fought won and lost on both sides before the General Grant’s final victory.  There is a huge National cemetery in Vicksburg where many good soldiers lost their life in the struggle between the North and South.

Civil war cannons at the entrance to the Vicksburg National Cemetery

Assistant Chief Craig also was well versed in the history of the fire department.  I learned the Vicksburg Fire Department was first organized in 1837, was the first fully paid professional department in the State of Mississippi.  Central Fire Station was built in 1925 and renovated in 1996.

Fire Station # 7 built in 1912 much as it was when built and still in use. The modern day fire truck just barely fits though its doors.

Chief Craig further told me to check out Fire Station #7 a couple miles south on Washington Street as it was built in 1919 mostly as it was built and still in operation.  I had to ride down and check it out and following are pictures of it.

Before calling it a day, I asked Assistant Chief Craig if I he would allow me to get a picture with him and the fire fighting men of Shift A, Battalion #1.  What a great bunch of guys as they all came downstairs and posed for a picture in front of engine #4.

The men of Vicksburg Central Fire Station, A Team a great bunch of guys and my newest buddies.

Left to Right: Assistant Chief Craig, Lt. Chris, Capt. William, The Old Guy, Firefighter Brantly, FF Andrew, FF Preston, Capt. Shane, FF Vincent, Lt. Anthony, taking the picture was FF Nate.  Sorry about that Nate.

Inside of Fire Station # 7 the floor is marked as it was back in 1919, to each side of the center section there were originally horse stalls as back then the trucks were pulled by horse.

As I rode out of Vicksburg I had to stop and take a daytime picture of Fire Station #7, amazing it’s still in use.

Distance 21 miles via pick-up truck as it was still pouring down rain, Expenses $46.56

Have you donated to National Multiple Sclerosis Society yet?  If not here is the direct link to my profile page where you can make a donation and end the world of MS:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=1782261&pg=personal&fr_id=17893&s_tafId=230714
your donation will make a difference, please help. Thank you. The Old Guy

Awoke this morning to discover the rain was still falling.  Scott was already up and fixed us breakfast.  As we sat at his breakfast table Scott’s son phoned and said it was still raining down his way and his rain gauge had overflowed during the night indicating more than six inches of rain had already fallen. Later I learned the area had over 8″ of rainfall in about 36 hours.  Scott hung up the phone he turned to me and said, “As I see it you have three choices; 1.  You can get on your bike and ride in this stuff.  2.  You can stay here another day or 3.  I’ll drive you down to Roy’s Store.  Which would you prefer”?   OK, Scott’s not a “Road Angel” or “Arch Angel” he’s a “Saint”.

Scott Steele “Road Angel” Saint

I asked him if he was serious about driving me down to Roy’s and he confirmed he would do that as he wouldn’t be able to get any work done today.  Scott owns a landscape business in Greenville.  As we drove to Roy’s Store I got to see some of his landscaping expertise at a local McDonald’s restaurant, I’ve never seen a McDonald’s with lush flower beds.  The property looked more like what you would see at a botanical garden, very impressive.  We arrived at Roy’s store all too soon and I once again had to say good bye to a new friend.

Entering Roy’s Store I felt like I had stepped into a time machine taking me back 50 years.  The store had all sorts of memorabilia and antiques from its past; a Plantation bell sits just outside the store, a butter churn of the early 1900s, signs from the 20’s through 50’s, a cotton sack with cotton in it hangs above the front door of the store circa 1940s era, even a  6 foot long stuffed alligator and more.

I introduced myself to Gee the gal behind the counter, who then introduced me to the store’s owner Pam Hammond.  Pam caters to touring bicyclists and gave me a special price for a cabin of only $25.00, a price one would have paid maybe back in the 60s.  After rolling Spirit over to the cabin, I had to return to the store to learn as much as possible about this treasure of Americana history.  Over the next few hours I learned Pam is the 4^th owner of Roy’s Store having purchased it in 1985.

Pam Hammond 4th owner of Roy’s store taking time out to visit with the Old Guy

The store is a one stop everything you can imagine; food stuffs, small café with tractor seats for stools, gas, boat launch, cabins, hunting and fishing licenses, bait, tackle, ice, beer and is even a US Post Office.  Last but not least Roy’s store attracts a cast of local characters coming and going all day long.  No matter what the subject you can easily find someone to visit with you to share their views.  What a hoot, I love this place.

I may have failed to mention this before but even if you are not a touring bicyclist the MRT route and the

I may have failed to mention this before but even if you are not a touring bicyclist you can drive the length of the Mississippi River following the National Scenic Highway known as ”The Great River Road” as it and the MRT closely parallel each other.  Be sure to plan on at least a couple weeks a month or more would be better to enjoy the many treasures of Americana history.

Below are a few pictures of Roy’s Store for your enjoyment.

History of Mississippi State Highway 1 leading to Roy’s Store

Welcome sign to Chatham, MS erected by Roy’s Store owner Pam Hammond

Front of Roy’s Store

Plantation Bell had been used to call farm hands in from the field as well as to notify them of Payday.

Mule with plow yard ornament

Mississippi style house boat

As you walk into Roy’s Store, notice the 1900s Butter churn center of picture.

Inside above front door hangs a cotton sack with cotton from the 1940s.

Non-’Typical Buck, 4th largest ever taken with a bow only a mile or so from Roy’s Store

One of three dining areas in Roy’s Store

Back dining room in Roy’s store, where I spent nearly 12 hours working on my journal. Stopping frequently to visit with the caste of character flowing in and out of the store all day.

Roy’s store kitchen where the gals serve up some mighty tasty vittles.