87 Miles and About That Many Dogs!

As we leave the Butler B & B, we have a police escort because Ann Butler is afraid that with the road construction and morning business traffic, we will not be able to navigate the 3-4 miles on the busy highway before making our turn on to a quieter road. Many of us were delighted because when we arrived on Monday, we did feel like we were taking our lifes in our hands traveling that road, but yet we chuckled because clearly this was a case of "money talking", when she asked the police to escort us. So with the bikers up front, the police car followed with his red/blue lights flashing. Not only did that prevent the cars behind us from attempting to pass, but those coming towards us slowed down not knowing what was happening. When we got to our turn off there were 3 squad cars with lights flashing and they were holding up traffic from every angle! I think they even cleared air space for us!!! We felt pretty important (and safe).

A typical Louisiana cemetery. At first I thought the "above ground" plots were possibly because they thought this was going to be their "eternal home" rather than just a spot to remember them by.....but more knowledgeable bikers tell me that it is due to the high water table in Louisiana!

The highways and byways of Louisiana are very scenic. Today our 87 miles took us on many of curvy, tree lined roads. Lots of trees/forests. We are still seeing a lot of azalea bushes. We are told that the bushes are 3 weeks late in blooming this year due to cold spring. We feel blessed since had it been a normal spring we would have missed the blossoms!

Typical road from today -note flowers along roadside. This particular stretch was also "dog free". In Louisiana, the dogs are not fenced in nor tied up. We have battled dogs for about 3 days now. One of our bikers almost was bitten by a rottweiler today. On one stretch of road I had one dog on my left, one on my right and one trailing me. Luckily the car behind me laid on her horn and finally scared them off. My optimistic theory was that since we are the last bikers of the day, the dogs would tire of chasing bikers and just lay there has we rode by. So far, this is not true. So my pessimistic theory is that they haven't been able to catch the fast bikers so the dogs are noting how slow the sweep team is and are certain they can get a bite of us!

On an 87 mile day we tend to make a sandwich and have lunch along the way. No time for restaurants. Here we are with peanut butter sandwiches, string cheese, oranges and apples. I'm the one lying down...it's not easy to eat lying down, but it sure feels good! We were in the parking lot of a Baptist Church and since the doors were open we went inside to use the bathrooms. They were having a luncheon and offered to feed us; people are so kind!

Most of the Baptist churches have little sayings on their "billboard" I came across this one and loved it. The "saving place" reminds me of our Savior, which reminds me that on Monday evening I spoke to one of my Soul Sisters and asked if I had any prayer requests for the week other than safety for all bikers. I said, well yes, I feel like I need more energy and strength (remember Monday had been a difficult biking day for me). So that evening when the Soul Sisters gathered, they prayed for strength and energy for me....and I can honestly say that I could tell God answered their prayers for me. Today, the 87 miles were very comfortable and enjoyable!

Not to say that when I found out tomorrow is a 55 mile day I didn't cheer!!!

""I think I can, I think I can"....yes, I feel like that little engine...and I know I can! All of you have been so supportive of me and write such wonderful messages of encouragement....and because of you, (& God), I CAN! And I still believe that If I bike....maybe they will walk!

Two weeks from tomorrow I shall dip my front tires in the Atlantic Ocean!!! One part of me can't wait and one part of me doesn't want this trip to end.............

post script: I actually posted two blogs tonight; one for today and one for the two days I didn't have internet....so be sure to read below.