Journey

A journey is a start and an end. The travel may be across the country or around a table or through a mind.

A birth is a start of a journey, a death an end.

Humans want to control everything, yet control little. What matters is relationships and how we affect and influence others.

This journey, I have been blessed with adventure, and many people who offered and expressed kindness.

People mostly want the same thing, some comfort and love. A good meal and a little respect.

I have joy and gratitude to all who helped make this part of my journey joyful.

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ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS

A day in the Southern Piney woods

on the porch of a log cabin

near a deep Spring

porch swing and

2 fine rocking chairs.

after a gray morning

and a bit of rain

the late afternoon

grew shadows

and warm sunshine.

Cazan Hotel

n the heart of Cajun country, Mamou La is known for Zydeco music, crayfish, and rice fields. In the center of town is the Cazan Hotel. Historical place and wonderful people. They want to make you feel at home.

Texas

MUDDY WATER

FILLS BORROW DITCHES

CREEKS OVERFLOW

FIELDS TO PONDS

SKY FAST MOVING

SHADES OF GRAY

HUMIDITY IS HIGH

BEEN 30 HOURS OF RAIN

5 DAYS IN TEXAS

7 DAYS OF RAIN

WINDS CHANGE

BUT ALWAYS BLOW

LOTS OF TRUCKS

NOW AND THEN A CAR

LOTS OF TEXAS FLAGS

A FEW SLAVE FLAGS

NOW AND THEN

STARS AND STRIPES.

Louisana

So, sitting in a diner eating breakfast in Louisana. The top story on the tv screen is that this state hit rock bottom with the lowest quality of life and worst state to live in. I can not argue with the roads, they are some of the worst I have ridden in the world. The drivers however are very courteous and friendly in narrow two lane roads with no shoulder they are patient and give ample room when passing. In this respect, some fine drivers.

South Eastern Texas

Riding Adventure Cycling Associations Southern Tier Route. Kirbyville United Methodist Church offers lodging, camping for bicyclists. Jim Strickland is your host.

On down the road, You run into Mechanical problems you cannot fix. Having a cell phone you call the nearest bike shop….60 miles away in Beaumont, Texas. You talk to the mechanic, Shelby at Bicycle Sports. We determine the problem but how to get the bike 60 miles down the road that is broken. Shelby has a friend Jim Bob driving a red Dodge diesel dually pickup truck who comes to the rescue.

Jim Bob get us to Kirbyville. Eric Bender the owner of Bicycle Sports in Beaumont drives up in his pick up truck and takes us to the bike shop. 3 hours later the bicycle is roadworthy again repairs are made thanks to the attention of Eric, Shelby, and Dayna.

All 3 talk of the joy of being out touring on a bicycle and that’s what bicycling is about and are hard pressed to charge what all their efforts and all that work is worth.

And then, to get back on route, host Jim in Kirbyville, and his friend with a truck, Bob, drive the 60 miles down to Beaumont to pick us and our bikes up and drive back the 60 miles.

Traveling you meet the finest people who are kind, helpful and give so much hope for the future. The world is not the news headlines. The world is people caring and sharing. I am full of gratitude.

Bicycle Riding on the Southern Tier Route

Pedal, pedal, pedal. Back roads with low traffic. Fields of grass. Hillsides of trees. Big thicket goes for miles. Miles of hills rolling to call it the hill country. A bicycle always makes me smile. Move slow to see and think. Enjoy the moment.

Texas has more rain than usual, 5 days of rain, flood warning. The creeks are overflowing. The fields are lakes. I am there to see it. The fog has been thick, mostly in the mornings. I am glad I have front and rear blinkers. I am happy that I wear bright clothes, as the trucks run fast here. And there is a car now and again.

Tomorrow I will ride along and pedal many circles. I will think about things and laugh and at the end of the day, I will be stiff. I will smile and look at the maps of what the future will bring. The maps will tell me a bit. The moment will be there for me.