Columbus, MS to Aberdeen, MS
Friendly horn taps: 6
Miles: 35
Total so far: 1,069
Starting coffee. Note the "critter proof" pole in the background with the partially ripped grocery bags.
We were partially rained out today after a valiant effort to ride in the rain. We had to hole up twice, once for lightning and once for a pending thunderstorm that appeared pretty strong. We rode in the rain into Aberdeen and after a lunch break, decided to sit out the rest of the day and get a hotel room for a break.
We’ve ridden eighteen days straight and last night we agreed to take a day off after today’s ride. Instead, we’ll count today as a short day and ride tomorrow, but I suspect we can’t keep this up without a day off soon. We’ll have to monitor ourselves closely for fatigue.
Speaking of fatigue, last night at our camp, we hung our trash on the provided metal trash pole in our traditional plastic shopping bags (a very valuable commodity when touring). In the middle of the night, I awoke to a bit of a racket to see a raccoon hanging from the pole like an experienced lineman and grabbing at the bag. I yelled to him, “Hey!” and he stopped his pawing, turned toward me for a minute and just hung there like he was deciding if he needed to pay me any attention. I yelled again, “Get down from there!” He slides halfway down the pole hand under hand with his legs wrapped around the pole like some kind of veteran fireman, stops and looks at me again. I said, “Go on, get out of here!” He slides the rest of the way down the pole and saunters off. True story.
The rest of the story:
When I first yelled to the raccoon, he turned and with one paw holding onto the pole, his feet firmly braced around below him, he looks at me and gesturing with his other arm says, “Are you talking to me?”
“Yes, I’m talking to you. What is that, a Chicago accent?”
“Brilliant”, he says, “You must have graduated from the sixth grade. Yes, genius, that’s a Chicago accent.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Me and some guys…we got in some trouble. A forestry guy packs me up and ships me here. They say it’s for my own protection. Don’t worry about it. Hey, you got any pizza in these bags?”
“No.”
Sliding expertly halfway down the pole, he says, “I like deep dish. These clowns around here, all they got is frozen. Hey, where’s your camper? You got no car here?”
“No. Our bicycles are over there. We are riding bicycles from Florida to Oregon.”
“What? Are you nuts or something? I smell oatmeal packets in this trash, are you eating just the healthy stuff?”
“Yes.”
“Sheesh. Figures. You’re probably eating gunpowder and drinking nitroglycerine to make a ride like that. Go get yourself some deep dish and relax some. I’m outta here.” And off he went.
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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Adam and Lindsey Arnold Zimmer
Adam and Lindsey
Their life was just beginning. They had it all. A new marriage, new job, new home and new baby on the way. They had so much to live for and so much to give. Their favorite saying was, Live, Laugh, Love, and live, laugh, love is what they did.
On February 21, 2009, my son Adam, his wife Lindsey and their unborn son, Riley were killed by a drunk driver in Illinois. They were on their way to a Blue’s hockey game at about 4 in the afternoon. The man that killed them had at least 6 prior DUI’s and a suspended license. He hit them at over 100 mph pushing them into the oncoming lane where a truck hit them. That driver was also under the influence. They were killed instantly.
The world, and my life, will never be the same.
Susan Zimmer
In Memory of Warmer Summers 
I am ROFLOL in my office on the eve of a Walk Like MADD. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the great humor! KEEP IT UP! Love your stories. 🙂
Amber 🙂
So the rest of the rest of the story. How much sleep did your poor sister get when you are yelling at Rocky?
Carl, I think it is safe to say after this post, you are definitely suffering from fatigue. Get some rest.
Loved the story — had a couple raccoons get in a fight in my backyard a few months ago. You’ve never heard such a racket! Awful!
Keep up the great riding!
Jim
Loved this! Actaully, have enjoyed all of the stories…you’re quite the writer. This one just made me crack up. Last year at our campsite for Paluxy Pedal, we had a trio of ‘coons join us at the dinner table. I was still at the table with my back to the beast. No Fear! A fellow camper even tapped one on the head and he still continued his mission.
Thanks Rocky for rinding for Lindsey & Adam Zimmer last Saturday.. I understand you lost a child too!! It is a parents worst nightmare.. It has been over 2 years now since their passing & miss them more now than before!! We think of the joy of their happiness together & not being a part of it now is the hardest to deal with.. But we have to move on…. cause in time we will be with them.. Keep on with the good work.. Good Times, Will Arnold>> Lindsey’s Father
Carl,
The chronicle of your epic ride is truly inspiring, as are the heartbreaking dedications of the lives lost to this totally preventable tragedy.
Sallie, I wanted to share with you (and all your blog followers) the news that our friend Ramya gave birth to a baby boy, Calvin Royce, on May 6 at 11:53 PM. Mother and baby are both doing wonderfully well. – Keep pedaling!! – Larry