What a glorious day for a bike ride. No rain to outrun, not too cold, not too hot, didn’t have to start early or ride all day – just perfect. A relaxing ride through the countryside of middle Mississippi and next thing you know, you’re in Alabama. There isn’t a whole lot to see along the road and it’s pretty much back country but the road and the ride are their own reward and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure today.
Yesterday I told you about the pulpwood trucks, and some of their hazards. Today I was behind a flatbed truck stacked with chickens. I would rather eat a tub of catfish bait than follow a chicken truck. I have no idea how much they pay those drivers but they don’t have enough money to pay me to do it. I think it said Sanderson Farms on the door of the truck but truthfully, I was going by so fast I could be wrong on that one. Regardless where they come from or are going to, you won’t see me behind a chicken truck for very long.
Being off the slab means that you’re going through many small towns which kinda gives you the flavor of the area, especially when you’re stopping at local gas stations. It is very interesting to see the change as you travel across the country. Being on a motorcycle with a California license plate draws lots of attention and I’ve had some very amusing conversations along the way. Sometimes down here in the south, it’s actually difficult to understand some of the people – they speak southern and they do it fast. But we eventually get it figured out, usually they are slowing down for me, and the encounters are a good source of entertainment for me while I finish my bottle of water or whatever before I get back on the road.
My main reason for being in Millbrook is that my niece Brandy and her husband Jayson live here. They are Master Sergeants in the Air Force and work with computer data and program design. Both smart as a whip and doing a great job for the Air Force & their country. They came to the hotel and took me out to dinner at the local catfish restaurant and I am STUFFED. I was just about full when my dinner came because the hush puppies, colesaw, and smoked white beans they brought out for appetizers were so good. We stayed long after the food was gone, enjoying the company and the conversation. As always, great to see you both.
