Day 39 Wednesday April 16 Merryville to Oberlin, LA 54 miles.
Grand Total 2,096 miles.
Getting out of Texas wasn't easy. After 19 days and 1,000 miles, Mother Nature decided a parting headwind would be nice. Plus one of the coldest nights, if not the coldest, was our last night in Kountze. Got down to 38, so combine that with a strong, gusting headwind, our ride Tuesday morning was all consuming. All forward motion is from pedaling, no coasting, no other assistance. It took full effort and patience.
Also the road was arrow straight for miles, very busy and loud, directly pointed towards the wind and very cool. Maybe cold. I am convinced that when given a straight road for as far as you can see, heading into a strong wind, then the wind will actually bend your sight line upwards, (can't go down as that would hit the ground). Thus the stronger the wind, the longer the straight road, then your vision will tell you, as a result of the optical bending of your sight lines, that you are going to have to go straight up eventually. Thus I never looked straight ahead. Too depressing.
A turn in a town called Kirbyville saved the day. We changed direction, the openness of the road become more of a forested area, providing some relief from the wind, and there were actually some curves in the road. Also there was the inspiration of Louisiana waiting down the road.
When we finally said goodbye to Texas, our two leaders surprised us with candy and drink at the state line sign. We have the best of leaders.
We camped in Merryville and were hosted for dinner and breakfast by the Historical Society of Merryville. Potato salad and gumbo. Oh my, so good. We also were entertained, (attacked?), by cowboy, western reenactment folks. Quite an entrance. These guys really knew their history and helped separate some cowboy myths from facts. This part of LA used to be claimed by both Spain and the US, the result being no law and order for years. No Man's Land, the name claimed by these folks as their "gang's" name.
Off this morning into the wind but not as bad. We are meeting such great people. Those folks in Merryville were beyond gracious. Talked to a guy in a service station this morning. He belongs to the Christian Motorcycle Assoc, and he said the nicest, most sincere prayer for our safety and good travels. He also noted that the prayer could only go so far and if we did anything stupid, we were on our own.
The countryside reminds me do much of home. The fields, pine and hardwood forests, log trucks, it is beautiful. A good ride today.
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