In Memory of Warmer Summers

Aberdeen, MS to Tishomingo, MS

Friendly horn taps:1

Rude honks: 1

Miles: 82

Total so far: 1,151

Sunset breaks though during the rain last night in Aberdeen, MS

Some views of unique southern architecture in Aberdeen. This home was built in 1852.

Today we rode in the cold.  Really.  I had a jacket on most of the day until I tried to take it off and ride for awhile in my jersey and had to put the jacket back on.  Tomorrow will be colder.  In Mississippi.  Really.

Nothing could be more chilling than our ride through Smithville, Mississippi today.  For years I’ve seen correspondents at tornado sites and other natural disasters posed with destruction behind them, and I know the camera angles are set for maximum effect.

Smithville, MS

What I saw today in Smithville, Mississippi  is very difficult to describe.  The town was hit by an EF5 tornado on April 27, and — well — there is nothing left.  We saw about three houses, none of them habitable in the town that used to hold 857 residents.  They are reporting the tornado had winds of 205 miles an hour, was 1/2 mile wide and three miles long.

Our ride through the highway that bisects the town caused me to feel like an intruder.  I took but one picture, because this was a private scene.  I did not want to intrude.  It was not unlike viewing a naked corpse that no one was able to discreetly cover out of respect.  The American flags posted on the piles of debris took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes.  From checking the news reports, they have the death count at 16 which seems proof of miracles.  I cannot imagine what those folks lived through, and are living with.

We had lunch in Fulton, MS where all the restaurants closed and the town held a fundraiser for the people of Smithville.  The high school drama group in Fulton had been working on a 100 cast member production of the Wizard of Oz, and originally arranged the street celebration and cookout to generate funds for their presenting their play at the Orpheum in Memphis.  The young people chose to forfeit their trip and continue with the fundraiser to assist the victims of the tornado in Smithville.

The quiet beauty of the Natchez Trace Parkway

We rode for about 12 miles on the Natchez Trace Parkway towards the end of our ride today.  The Natchez Trace Parkway runs 440 miles from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN.  I’m told the forests lining the road is old growth virgin timber and carries the natural diversity in trees and flora that cannot be found anywhere in the south.  It was a sensory delight — brilliantly green, quiet, aromatic, and peaceful.

We are camped on the shores of a lake in Tishomingo State Park tonight.  I am warm, dry, and comfortable in my tent.  I will reflect upon the contrasts I’ve seen today for a long time.  There is great beauty here in Mississippi, yet at the same time there is also a ripping sadness and loss.  They will rebuild in Smithville, just as people have done so for all of time.  They will do so because of the beauty — it will be heartfelt like no other time though, because of the loss.

______________________________________________________________

Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Larry Ray Harrison

Larry and his Mother

Larry was 16 years old at the time of his death.  He was in special education and won many awards in the Special Olympics at school. He was looking forward to graduating in 2012 and getting his driver’s license. Larry was killed by a drug impaired driver.