Leg 13 - Meridian, MS to Collins, MS

My first time in Mississippi to really see the views and it was surprisingly nice. Lots of raw land between cities, but it was mostly gentle rolling hills - a few big hills. Tough starting out today as I faced a head wind for the first 50 miles and probably the residual effects of the two previous days efforts. Spent the second half today on Rt 84 - a.k.a. El Camino East/West Corridor - see picture. It's a 1,700 miles highway from Georgia to El Paso that's been the focus of business leaders to convert to 4 lanes. I love 4 lane routes - it provides a lane for all traffic to pass me at a safe distance. Unfortunately - Louisiana lags behind the other 4 states in expanding to 4 lanes so I'll lose the luxury when I get there in a day or two. It's great on trips like this to roll into a small town and be able to find a good atmosphere, hotel and local restaurant - Collins, MS is where we are tonight. Rolled thru the larger town of Laurel, MS today thinking that's where we would be staying - thankfully kept going further for a total 97 miles to Collins. Had a great dinner at Morgan's on Main - fried green tomatoes with crawfish sauce for an appetizer- wow! Depending on forecast for Sunday - I may cut tomorrow short to rest and watch some football.

BTW - I can only receive email as I'm having difficulty sending, but will respond to all your emails when I get back to Austin.

Leg 12 - Montgomery, AL to Meridian, MS

Crossed into Mississippi today thanks to mostly flat roads and cooler morning temps that likely stayed below mid 90's. Logged 125 miles and photo is the only marker available as I crossed into MS on a back road. Second photo is a little tribute area located in Selma near the start of today's ride to the organizers of the civil rights march - nice artwork but the area is not well maintained with trash and stuff. Alabama armadillo roadkill count:8, Number of gunshots heard from road:7

Leg 11 - Talledega, AL to Montgomery, AL

I got smoked in the Smokey Mountains. Hardest climbs I've ever faced and the road didn't help as much of it was 2 lanes, poor shoulders, and old asphalt - I know - wah. Took a break to get bike supplies in Montgomery, which took longer than expected and then headed west on historic route 80 (MLK march from Selma to Montgomery) toward Selma. Thankfully, it was 4 lanes the whole way and should be for tomorrow as well. Made it about half way to Selma for a total 91 miles.

Leg 10 - Rockmart, GA to Talledega, AL

4 states down - 4 to go, and back on central time zone. Give it up for Georgia and Alabama. I spent 60 of my 90 miles today on dedicated bike/jogging routes in these two states. The Silver Comet Trail (SCT) in Georgia is the jewel of the two as I wrote yesterday. The picture is located about ten miles into my ride at the Not Yet Memorial Danny Ashley Bridge - as Danny was actually there taking down the ribbons from yesterdays GRITS (Georgia Rail Into Trails Society) ride. Once restarted after the picture - Danny took the time to lead mom about 12 miles to the Alabama state line so that she could snap another pic. The Chief Ladiga Trail (CLT) starts at the end of the SCT and runs about 32 miles and ends near Anniston, AL. It was a great ride, much of it newly paved asphalt and mostly downhill. Both trails are old railroad beds and have been converted to nonmotorized and pedestrian use - a model for the rest of the country to follow. Will be heading south on Rt21 to Montgomery/Selma tomorrow to try and avoid some of Alabama's mountains.

Leg 09 - Athens, Ga to Rockmart, Ga

Today was a harsh reminder of how sweet I had it the last two days. Got a start at 4:30 to drive back out to Athens and began riding again at 7:30am. I think traffic was light due to the holiday, which was a big worry around Atlanta - massive population around here. Worked our way into Stone Mountain and that's what you see in the photo. Its a giant mountain of granite (apparently the largest exposed in the world with 583 acres) and has a tribute carved into it's face to Confederate heroes Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. I remember visiting it when I was really young (5?) as my grandparents lived nearby. Due to my apprehension about navigating some of Atlanta's downtown streets and not so nice neighborhoods - decided to car hop over to Smyrna and pick up the Silver Comet Trail for second half of the day. The trail is an old railway bed - 8ft wide concrete with a painted dividing line, shaded for about 1/2, only rises and falls at max 2% grade thanks to the railroad requirements, and runs for over 40 miles - it was great. Today's ride was 88 miles total. Tomorrow I'll continue on the trail for a few miles to the Alabama border and pick up the Chief Ladiga Trail - a similar dedicated bike/jogging path that runs down to Anniston, AL.

Pope Reunion Break

Saturday and Sunday were break days for me. My grandmothers side of the family had the first reunion in a long time and got a chance to visit with cousins that I hadn't seen for many years - many likely 15-20 years. We failed to take a picture with all the family gathered on Saturday and turns out the photo we took on Sunday of the Wilson family was dark due to a shadow - but its the best I have (Back row: Uncle Tedd/Aunt Jackie Wilson, Carol and Bruce - cousins/hosts, Don/Cathy Wilson. Front row: Jay/Bronwyn/Tucker Meeks, Momma Joe, Grandma H, DeWayne). Mom is flying back in tonight to Atlanta and we'll drive back to Athens to start again in the morning. Bottom photo is Uncle Tedd handing out certificates - this one to Momma Joe for being the oldest girl at the reunion

Leg 08 Abbeville, SC to Athens, GA

3 states down - 5 to go. 2 miles into my ride today - had a mechanical problem and decided to go back to Greenwood and wait for the bike shop to open at 10. By 10, the problem had mystically corrected itself and after a quick inspection, we got back on the road at 10:30. Logged 67 miles today and got to Athens, GA which is the home of the Univ. of GA. The campus was a buzz with the opening weekend game against Ok. State on Saturday. Photo is located on a cool crosswalk the university has at one end of the stadium near the student center. Got a t-shirt as well - Go Dawgs!