Indianola to Clarksdale, MS -- 63 miles

Today, the skies look dark and gloomy and the forecast is for rain. The faster riders got in to town before it started. Some of the rest of us were not so lucky. I got to about mile 50 when it started, but it didn't come down hard. Overall the ride was good for me because it was cool for once and NO hot sun! The scenery is changing and I am seeing lots of catfish farms for the first time. There are these big paddle wheel like things turning to circulate the water in these big ponds.


Clarksdale is another small town and it's claim to fame is that Morgan Freeman has a bar and restaurant here.

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Yahoo City to Indianola, MS -- 55 miles

Another day of country road riding. The weather was perfect and a good tailwind to push us along at about 20 miles per hour. One small town we rode thru was Belzoni, the catfish capital of the world. I would have stopped for lunch to find a po boy catfish sandwich but I think we are going to have catfish for dinner. Indianola claim to fame is that it is the home of B. B. King.




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Vicksburg to Yazoo City, MS -- 52 miles

Today was a ride in the country with fields full of corn. The weather is slightly cooler which makes riding easier but the road was a two lane road with lots of trucks and logging trucks speeding by. There was no shoulder, only rumble strips which made for a very scary ride. The trucks go by so fast, the draft nearly knock you off the bike. So, with sun burned shoulders and saddle sores, I was not a happy camper. Things changed once I rode into the town of Yazoo City. With this one steep hill ahead of me, I decided to get off my bike and walk up the hill. As I am walking, I started talking this very nice gentleman who showed me a short cut to the hotel and saved me from climbing the hill. He even got in his truck and escorted me to the hotel. He totally made my day.




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Having left Vicksburg, I was disappointed that I did not get an opportunity to see more of the town and visit the Civil War historical sites.

Natchez to Vicksburg, MS -- 82 miles

Started out very early this morning while the weather was cool and misty. The Natchez Trace Parkway is very green, with lush vegetation. One thing you don't want to do is wear green when cycling because you will blend into the scenery. The Trace had its beginning in an old Indian trail which was only a footpath between Natchez, Choctaw, and Chickasee Indian villages. Thomas Jefferson had the army clear the road between Nashville and Natchez.


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Rest Day -- Natchez, MS

I forgot to mention the every time we cross a state border, we celebrate with margaritas. Whoo Hoo! And we will be crossing ten states! Another Whoo Hoo!
I also forgot to mention that the food has been fabulous thanks to our guide/chef Lynne and Barb our sous chef. It,s no easy task to cook for 30 hungry woman out of the back of a trailer. I promise to post pictures as soon as I can. Carol, our guide, is the best there is and Woman Tours is very lucky to have her. I don't think I would do this trip without her leadership skills.
The view from my hotel room is fabulous. The Eola hotel is the tallest building in town. It is seven stories tall and guess what? I am on the seventh floor.




The fountain the courtyard is interesting with both fire and water shooting out.




The bar is a fun place to hang out if you are a Blues Brothers fan.

New Roads, LA to Natchez,MS -- 80 miles

Whoo Hoo we are now in Mississippi! The ride today long and hot. The scenery is beginning to change with more trees and corn fields and wheat fields. The routine still the same: lather up with sun screen, fill up our water bottles, pump up our tires, eat breakfast, pack our snacks, load our luggage in the van, then hit the road. The rest stops are every 20 miles. A thunderstorm arrived in town early and a few of the riders had to be sagged in because it is too dangerous. Two nights before thunder storms came with lots of thunder and lightening. And when it rains here, it pours.

We often stop at some interesting places along the way and here is an example of one of them.

Port Allen to new Roads, LA -- 35 miles

More of the same scenery today along country roads with the levee on the right and sugar canes fields to the left. Sun screen is a must and electrolytes too. I found myself sweating just standing outside in the shade. One good thing, my skin is soft from all this moisture. We are in New Roads, LA --home of Cookie Roberts.