In Memory of Warmer Summers

Perryville, TN to Cuba Landing, TN

Miles: 32

Total so far: 1,300

A sample of the pink ribbons I spoke about in yesterday's post regarding the missing young lady, Holly Bobo

We are taking a short day as needed in order to hit campgrounds without having to stretch our day’s ride to 80 miles or more.  The hills here are pretty serious and taking out a large chunk of mileage in one day would be quite difficult.  The area we are riding in parallels the Tennessee River.  We are essentially riding over the ridges that separate the creek drainages that flow into the Tennessee.  It’s beautifully wooded country with little tiny country roads and very little traffic.  The creeks are flowing clear, and it’s very peaceful.

The hills and forests of Tennessee in Humphrey's County

We stopped for a mid-morning break at a cafe near Pineview and engaged some of the locals in a chat about our trip (the bike gear is always a good conversation starter with some).  During the conversation we talked about our daily mileage and we indicated that we would be going into the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area tomorrow.  A woman at the cafe said, “Be careful where you camp, they have a Dog-faced Squatch up there.”

Sensing a good folklore story I asked, “Do you mean like a Sasquatch?”

“Yes, but Sasquatch won’t hurt you.  Dog-faced Squatch are different.”

Try as I might, I couldn’t get her to say much more about  Dog-faced Squatch, so like anyone else I thought I’d do some research later — Google up this creature.

The woman told us she used to ride horses on cross-country trips, and before she left the cafe, she said she used to ride her horse 100 miles in one day on her trips.

That was unfortunate…I’m thinking 100 miles a day on a horse is a tall tale.  I just might have to discount the Dog-faced Squatch story too.

Dog-faced Squatch?

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Cary Johnston as submitted by Sandy Johnston

Cary Johnston

The day my son was killed by a drunk driver, my life changed forever. There is too much silence in my home now. I miss his smile, his laugh, his constant picking, and his joy for life. Cary and I did so much together, I always feel like I am forgetting something and I know what that is — it is him.  As a family we are still trying to find our way to getting through each day without Cary. He was the one that made us all smile and made sure we all knew just how much he loves us. We miss and love you so much… Love,

Mom

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Coffeeville, AL to Linden, AL

Friendly horn taps: 3

Miles: 64

Total so far: 64

This is Steve Hartley. Steve brought his motor coach to the Service Road Campground, “To just get away for awhile.” We were camped just down from him at this beautiful site on the Tombigee River last night. Steve came over to visit with us, we had a nice chat, and then he offered us a fan to keep the gnats down. We graciously took up his offer, plugged his fan into a power source nearby with an extension cord he also offered, and enjoyed our meal in peace.

Mr. Hartley had quite a story about his life. He’s had some medical issues that brought him close to death on a couple of occasions and he indicated he was profoundly changed by those experiences. He said what he really enjoys these days is to help others in little ways. “I take my tractor and mow people’s lawns, I plant gardens for them…I just like helping out.” He went on to say, “If I can do something good for people, that’s all I ask anymore. It’s gotta come from the heart though, or it’s not the right kind of giving.”

After our dinner, Steve brought us Klondike ice cream bars. You are a good man, Steve — not because of the fan or the Klondike bars, but because of your heart.  Thank you.

Our spot for the night on the Tombigee river

The Tombigee River in the morning mist as we cross the bridge going out. Humidity for all your senses.

The light patch on the right is where a trailer house once stood

We came upon some tornado damage today while on Route 69 near Myrtlewood, Alabama . Apparently the storms hit in this area first and then moved north east of here where the damage in Tuscaloosa became so severe.

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This is what is left of the trailer -- the debris is on the other side of the highway

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Jessica June Beatty

Jessica’s life came to a tragic too-early end when she was stuck as a pedestrian on a county road in Texas by a nineteen year old underage drunk driver.

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Blakeley State Park, AL to Latham, AL

Friendly horn taps: 1

Miles: 30

Total so far: 722

Alabama has been good to us, but we are taking another short day to accomplish two things:  We could use the rest and the availability of campgrounds is quite limited.  We either had to do an 84 mile day or this short 30 mile day, so we stopped at Hubbard Landing on the shores of the Tensaw River.  This is what they refer to in Alabama as a fish camp.  There is no swimming, no water skiing, no jet skis (I am good with that!) — just fishing. Oh, they deer hunt, boar hunt, and turkey hunt when those seasons come too.  When asked about the other water sports, Paul Bryars, the manger, says, “No, that’s not a good idea.  We have alligators.  Big ones.  We killed one the other day that was 11 feet, eight inches long.”

OK then, no swimming.

We took it easy and watched the activities, folks cleaning fish, people taking boats in and out, sportsmen getting more bait, and we got a load of laundry done – always a bonus in our world.  I chatted up some of the fishermen and found out that fishing for bream, crappie, and catfish is pretty hot right now because the water has gone down from some flood releases a couple of weeks ago.  From the massive coolers of fish that I saw, I would have to agree.

Our socializing around the camps resulted in two rather immediate invitations to fish frys later on in the day.  Because we are all about food on the best of days, we obliged of course.

The early morning light graces the grounds of an Alabama estate, framed by southern pines

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A cooler of freshly caught fish just off the river -- to be consumed tonight at a fish fry

Paul Bryars shows just how to measure out 100 live crickets for bait

Coming's and going's at the fish camp boat dock

A fish fry on the banks o the Tensaw River

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Tomorrow’s Mother’s Day ride is dedicated to Joyce Munizza

We never thought that we would ever loose a lady that has touched so many lives.  Joyce Munizza will forever be in the hearts and minds of the people of Washington Parish, LA.

On July 30, 2010, Joyce was returning from her sister’s house in Denham Springs, LA, when a drunk driver crossed the center line between 80-90mph. Joyce will never be able to spend her golden years with her husband, Tony. Her 4 children have lost their mother and her 7 “little” grandchildren will grow up with out their Nana.  Joyce was employed at Northshore Ambulance Service and was a very dedicated member of Talley’s Community Church.

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Crestview, FL to Pensacola, FL

Friendly horn taps: 1

Obnoxiously aggravating, lean on the horn till the battery is dead, and the the check engine light comes on blare: 1

Miles: 65

Total so far: 600

A great ride today into Pensacola.  A cold front came through the state yesterday dropping morning temps into the 50’s.  With that came a north wind that just happened to match our direction of travel.  By prior arrangement, we are guests of Todd and Andrea Rosenbaum in Pensacola. Todd is the Executive Director of MADD Florida, a good friend, and an awesome asset to the organization.   He was kind enough to offer us lodging a long time ago when he first heard about the trip.

Most of the day was on barely traveled county roads off of Route 90 up in the timber areas north of the busy traffic and we thoroughly enjoyed our ride in the clean air of pine forests, bright with low humidity and cool temperatures.

We met Hugh Adams today near Holt, Florida, as he caught us taking a roadside snack break. Hugh had just scored some frozen quail in a deal he made with a neighbor up the road.

Hugh Adams explains how to prepare frozen quail and other things

Hugh explained the intricacies of properly preparing quail, working until retirement with the federal government, and completting a stretch in the U.S. Navy.  Not all in that same order, of course.

An upper portion of Escambia Bay outside of Pensacola

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Gabriella Elizabeth Mantini

Gabriella Mantini was killed by a drunk driver August 29, 2006 while driving home. The driver entered the freeway on an exit and was driving the wrong way with with his lights off when he hit her head on.  She was 21.  Since that day our lives have never been close to the same.

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