Ricky made us bacon, eggs and biscuits this morning, which was quite a treat. It could possibly be the last homemade breakfast I have in a while.
This morning, I asked Ricky for a plastic grocery bag so I would have a dirty clothes sack. He gave me this, and told me Pam folds the bags this way to save space
Well, I'm sure you can guess what is going to happen when one man hands another man something shaped like that ........ THUMP FOOTBALL!!!!!
The banana was the trophy for the winner. It was a classic defensive battle that ended in a 0-0 tie. I had a chance to win it with a field goal, but I sailed it wide right. Oh well, fire the coach.
After we left Ricky and Pam's house, we went through Elkmont, Alabama. I had always thought of it as a one horse town, and this photo proves it is. I saw no other horses there.
Here is a picture of Elmont High School and some plaques that provide some history about the school and the community of Elkmont.
We ran across Jim in Elkmont while he was out getting some exercise on his bike on the Richard Martin Trail, which is a rails to trail path in the area. He is the first cyclist we have seen since leaving Chattanooga. Jim on left, Bob on right.
Scenic photo of a mill in Limestone County, Alabama, with a plaque providing some information about it.
Kudzu on a hill in the West Limestone area. There seems to be an enormous amount of kudzu in that area. Time to hire some goats to start eating it. Yep, I think that is my finger in part of the photo.
I have found Limestone and Lauderdale counties to be great places to bike. They have developed a bike route in Limestone County with signage indicating the route and reminding folks to share the road. The roads are very lightly traveled by motorists, and the motorists that did pass us were very courteous and gave us plenty of room.
The Elk River
At one point today, we turned on a road that had a dead end sign on it. I looked at the map on my phone and it showed that the road went through to the next road we needed to be on, so we continued on it. Around a curve and down a fairly steep, but short hill, we came to this
We were able to ride through it, but I'll bet it is impassable following a heavy rain, which would explain the dead end sign.
A couple of other examples of road surface we rode on today
Yep, that's Bob drag racing a UPS truck down a dirt/gravel road. I've tried to tell him he needs to stop doing that, but he just won't listen.
We went through a little community called Grassy. A photo and a little information about one of the local churches.
Very nice art work on a barn in Lauderdale County, near Lexington, Alabama. We had lunch at the Bear Den in Lexington. I had my usual burger and fries and Bob had 2 grilled cheese sandwiches.
Dollar General has become a regular stop for us as they can be found in almost all small communities, and they have ice cream. I'm enjoying a Drumstick and Bob is lounging enjoying a rest and some water. This one is in Saint Joseph, Tennessee.
Here is another picture of part of Saint Joseph.
From Saint Joseph we has a mostly downhill 5 mile ride to Iron City, where we are camping behind Shoal Creek Canoe Run. Here is a photo of Shoal Creek and our camping arrangements.
Let me share a great Iron City story. Several years ago, I was on a bicycle tour, and my route took me through Iron City. I arrived in the city after dark, and was low on water. I could not find any outside source to refill my water bottle at a church, store or other public place, so I knocked on someone's door. A man answered the door and I explained to him I was on a bike tour, and my need for water. I asked if he would fill my water bottle, and he yes. He then asked if I wanted a sandwich. I had not eaten in hours, and I said that would be great. He let me in his home, sat me at the kitchen table, and placed bread, Bologna, cheese, and mayonnaise on the table. He even cut me up a tomato. That was one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten. When I got ready to leave his residence, he gave me several packages of snack crackers that he had purchased at flea markets. He even told me if I came back by the next morning, he would make me breakfast. I got on the road early the next morning, so I did not stop by his house again. this is one of the many random acts of kindness that has been shown toward me while bicycle touring.
Well, tomorrow I will be saying so long to Bob as he is turning back and heading home. This was his plan from the beginning of the trip. I always enjoy riding with him, and will surely miss his company for the rest of the trip.
Totals for the day: 56.3 miles - 4 hours 55 minutes saddle time
No comments:
Post a Comment