Charleston to Cape Girardeau, MO -- 51 miles

Lots and lots of corn fields on this very hot day. We rode thru small towns of Morley, Oran, and Chaffee before arriving in Cape Girardeau. Was surprised to see bison in Missouri.


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Dyersburg, TN to Charleston, MO -- 75 miles

Today we rode thru three states--Tennessee, Kentucky, and now we are in Missouri. We passed thru towns like Ridgely and Samburg before arriving at Charleston,MO. Now I can say that I have been in Charleston, MO and Charleston, WV. Along the route we rode past the Reelfoot Lake which is the world's largest fish hatchery. The lake was formed by the 1811-1812 earthquake. The Mississippi River flowed backward to fill the lake. The lake is named after an Indian chief with a deformed foot and the settlers nicknamed him Reelfoot.


On this route we crossed into Kentucky and crossed the Mississippi River by ferry. On the other end of the ferry, we were in Missouri.





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After each ride, I jump in the shower, then wash my bicycling clothes. The ironing board works great as a clothes line...something I learned on this trip.

Covington to Dyersburg, TN -- 43 miles

Today was a short ride to Dyersburg. We rode past many small country towns like Henning, Ripley, and Halls. Many stopped in Henning to visit the Alex Haley House Museum. I had mixed feelings about stopping or going on only to get into Dyersburg before it gets too hot to ride.

Memphis to Covington, TN -- 63 miles
The scenery is definitely beginning to change. The roads are full of curves and hills, a couple of 10 to 12% grade ones and lots of trees.


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I saw one sign that I thought needed to be reworded. Don't you think it is meant for everyone on the road?



Memphis -- Rest day
I thought this would be a rest day and sight-seeing day, but one day isn't enough time to see everything that I wanted to see. I didn't get to Graceland or the Peabody hotel to see the ducks. I did get to the Civil Rights Museum. I highly recommend it to everyone. It is a very moving and emotional place to be.





I apologize for not posting on my blog every day, but the days have been long and by the time I get in I am too tired to write anything. Many days after a ride I sometimes have to find the time to clean my bike or doing laundry. Sometimes, I shower with my bike clothes on to save time.

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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