Reflections & Learning
A story to tell ...
Overwhelmingly, the people we met were friendly. Very friendly. Conversational, and they all had a story to tell.
Warm Showers couple in Leipers Fork - our first night was a warm showers, and we heard lovely cycling stories, but sadly our host had COVID so all the conversation was outside, in the driveway more than 6 feet apart. Perhaps our paths will cross again.
Gift store lady in Leipers Fork - we asked where the coffee shop is, no cafe, we asked where the mail box is....just walk to my house and put your mail in my mailbox for pick up. 😊
Washcloth man - his wife can't get out much so she sits and knits and he delivers.
La Quinta Hotel parking lot - guy approaches us to ask where we are cycling from and to, and explains after he played "college ball" he promised himself he would not work out anymore.
Dave on the Harley - travelled for 152 days after retiring. Took his RV with his Harley on the back. Sante Fe, etc. He called riding his Harley his form of meditation.
Lady outside grocery store in Tupelo. She was leaving the parking lot and just pulled up her car and stopped and got out to chat. She was going to France to cycle and watch the tour. She was just friendly and nice.
Homeless cyclist with pregnant dog at Walmart, Sonic Drive In is a great place to wild camp. Empty tuna can with hand sanitizer works as a great stove. Gifts - a flint fire starter and glow sticks.
Front door guy at BR hotel - Steelers need to lose now, and stop scoring points, they need to think of the draft.
Hotel breakfast in Nashville - couple visiting friend with heart transplant friend - "I am 72"
Hotel breakfast workers - we worked all night. But wait, we walked by you smoking up last night, you were heading out to work?
Young family at Budget rental when we explained the Natchez Trace Parkway: "that sounds great, we should do that, but not on bikes"
Tracy and Mike - Natchez State Park - sipping packets & Walmart chips ingredients... (Photo)
Bonfire Bill & Kim - Traverse City! Dried cherries and friendship. First night if camping and we get invited to their bonfire, and then we meet again on the Trace (and it is like seeing an old friend!) and have a lovely exchange and a promise to keep in touch.
The RV couple at the Trace Welcome Center "I hope I didn't scare you with my brakes" (not scared, comforted).
Wesley and Wesley - "I'm dyin' if I'm lyin' it was 8 feet tall" (bonfire story of the Mississippi Swamp Monster) "I have not been north of the Mason Dixie line..." "I am going to Alabama for Thanksgiving", oh nice, where in Alabama? "I have no idea" ... And then as we left the next morning he gave us his cell number in case we needed anything ❤️
Pick Up Trucks
The south is full of them, more than 50% of the roads we travelled.
White ones are prolific
Red ones are actually most considerate
Black ones, well the same as we know from home
We saw one Maverick, made at the Oakville Ford plant!
Learning
Biscuits get better as you drive south
A tube of mustard is the solution
T-Mobile unlimited wins the prize
Cous cous and tuna is good 👍
Daytime running lights - wow, you really miss them (as a cyclist). They really make cars more visible. They are not the law in these States.
Tunnel or Bridge? Crossing at Detroit - the tunnel had no line up at all so why does Google maps point you to the bridge!?
Plastic / Litter / Trash
What are we going to do?
Every meal involves plastic cutlery. Can't we bring our own?
So little recycling.
How is it that the trash in the roadside consists of a large percentage of beer cans. 😳 I mean, I guess you don't want them IN your car...
