Day 31 - Saturday April 18: Bogalusa, LA to Vancleave, MS

Miles Today: 100. Total Miles: 2341. Approx. Miles Remaining: 676

Conditions: Cool, threatening skies. Time on the road: 9hrs. 15min.

Thankfully the car was still intact this morning. No missing wheels! The expected bad weather turned out to be just a minor rain shower. For breakfast we retraced our steps to the "Big Easy Grill", where we had enjoyed dining with the very friendly locals the previous night. We figured Don needed as many carbs as he could hold, so this was the right breakfast stop. Fellow customers were warm and welcoming, including the deputy sheriff at the adjoining table, from whom we learned quite a bit about the town. Apparently there are areas of the town where the deputies will only go with a fellow officer, and Penny had been happily cruising through this area the previous afternoon while trying to locate Don! The hotel where we had spent the night was also considered a problem area, but we had encountered only friendliness and courtesy when chatting with folk there.

When we came to pay our breakfast bill, we found that a couple with whom Don had been talking had paid it for us. Oh yes, the sheriff's deputy turned out to be a deacon of the local Baptist church!

Good Fattening Food, but Not Much to Look At!

By the time we were on road, the sky was overcast, but the forecast storm was heading north, while we were heading southeast. The terrain through which we passed remained agricultural, but gradually the milky chocolate colored rivers and swamps gave way to more lush meadows in which cattle were grazing. In a matter of a few miles, we had reached Mississippi, the sixth state since our departure.

Five States Down, Three States to Go

Once again, Don met up with the same group of cyclists and we found we were headed for the same campsite in Vancleave, MS. Approaching Vancleave, we met and talked with two local cyclists, who invited us to join them that evening at the local outdoor family barbecue joint for some real Mississippi B-B-Q and live Blues music. They even volunteered to chauffeur us all there from our campsite. What an evening we had!! The food was great, both in flavor and quantity, and live music was performed from a rustic wooden stage.

Cyclists Anticipating Dinner

Live Mississippi Blues!

The whole evening seemed like a celebration. Penny couldn't resist dancing! Only thing is, we have about 700 more miles to go. Thank you Vancleave cyclists (Jeff and Doug) for treating us to a grand evening!

The campground was rather basic and badly neglected and overcrowded with what turned out to be permanent residents. Entire families were living in small RVs, also badly neglected. The little cabin we occupied was very basic, with only an overhead light bulb the only convenience apart from a thin mattress on a bunk. But it provided shelter against the anticipated rain.

Tomorrow we are to enter Alabama, where we will see the ocean and much of Mobile Bay.

Yours on the Road,

Don and Penny