In Memory of Warmer Summers

Good people along the way — the list grows

May 10, 2011 by Carl McDonald

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.

Posted in Friends made on the road | 4 Comments »

Gnarly roads and gnats

May 9, 2011 by Carl McDonald

Grove Hill, AL to Coffeeville, AL

Friendly horn taps: 5

Miles: 41

Total so far: 831

We remain struggling with campgrounds that we can get to in order to allow for obtainable mileage. At present, we are doing a shorter day to fit in between two longer days. I’d prefer to keep going rather than stop at 41 miles, but there just aren’t any services to match that need.

Sallie rides off in the morning mist

It’s all good though. Here in Alabama when the weather gets on the hot side, doing a lot of riding after 2:00pm will drain the best of us. Folks in the area say we are crazy. We hear that a lot though. Mostly, just after finding out that we are going to Oregon, they say, “bless you”, or “be blessed”, which may mean the same thing — you’re crazy.

The hills here are training us well. Our front derailleurs are getting a workout and mechanically everything is running fine. Today my minimum speed in climbing some of the steeper hills was about 3.4 miles per hour, and my maximum speed hit 38.2 going down some of the beasts. The heavy load of 50 pounds of gear become involved in both ends of that spectrum.

Did I mention the gnats? They are out strong and thick. We slow to climb the hills and they have their way with us, ears and noses are favorite dive bombing spots. I’ll have to include my intake of gnats in my calorie count.

Gravel road option

We took a gravel road option today for a couple of miles for a change of pace and hoping to have a surface that would not cause too many difficulties. It worked out, but the loaded bikes make it a challenge. Any amount of loose sand at all becomes quite tricky with 700-32 tires.

If you lived here, you'd be home. Sweet home Alabama

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to David Scott Mueller

On July 19th, 2009, My 19 year old son was killed at the hands of a drunk driver. David Scott Mueller was an outstanding young man and track and field star athlete. As a senior in 2008, he broke a record in the 200M which stood for 30 years. As a freshman at his college UCCS, he broke 9 college records in Track and Field.

Carl and Sallie – thank you so very much and if you need anything at all, please let me know and BLESS you for doing this!

Sandy from Colorado

Posted in The physical challenge |

Scars

May 8, 2011 by Carl McDonald

As we ride our way into managed timber country, and we slowly climb the hillsides with our burdened bicycles, looking into the green valleys and slopes, we see quite a few clear cut areas that have been harvested of their abundant trees. These cuts leave scars upon the land. Precious topsoil can be lost, exposing base clay layers that will not grow plants. Properly managed they will heal. The trees will return and reign once again. With good management, careful work to establish growth, the land will one day regain a balance it once had. The land will never be the same, however it will survive.

Laboring to gain elevation, we are rewarded with a vantage point where the vistas reveal many cut areas visible because of the started undergrowth – the small plants and vines that will compete with the trees, but ultimately lose the battle for the sun. The process is agonizingly slow, but it happens because it must – if the land is to survive.

We have scars. Many of us have scars that can be seen, showing the ravages of an unfair moment in time when we were subjected to horror. Many of us have not been physically rendered by the twisted metal, but have lost those who were. This leaves scars too.

We will never be the same.

We can grow.

It is agonizingly slow.

We can survive.

We are moving forward.

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Brandi, Taylor, and Sarah Wiggins

We were on Alabama State Route 84 on our way to Grove Hill today when we encountered the following sign on a bridge…

A little research turns up this from the Alabama State Legislature:

WHEREAS, in October 1997, three children, Brandi, Taylor, and Sarah Frances Wiggins were killed in a tragic automobile accident caused by a drunk driver; and

WHEREAS, we wish to provide for a permanent memorial for those children, and to educate others on the dangers and consequences of driving while drinking.

Posted in Somber thoughts, Thoughts on moving forward | 3 Comments »

Bass boats, crickets and fish frys

May 7, 2011 by Carl McDonald

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

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.

Posted in Friends made on the road | 1 Comment »

The hills of Alabama becon

May 6, 2011 by Carl McDonald

Gulf Shores, AL to Spanish Fort, AL

Friendly horn taps: 1

Hollering passengers: 1

Miles: 54

Total so far: 692

We begin our portion of the trek that follows the Underground Railroad Route north from Mobile, Alabama. The land here immediately changes as we move away from the Gulf of Mexico into rolling hills and farm land. The forests are more diverse with an abundance of hardwoods mixed in with the pines. We will follow this route until Kentucky where we will turn left on the traditional Trans America Bicycle Route.

The hills become significant to our efforts to propel our gear-loaded 75 pound bicycles as we skirt the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. This close to the water, I am surprised to see the rolling terrain. The roads are narrow in the fairly exclusive communities of Point Clear, Fairhope, Montrose, and Daphne, yet the drivers were patient with our progress.

The flowers of Fairhope

Sallie's pink and purple Trek 520 (touring model) fits right in

Ok...that's a bit much - those bikes aren't gonna be here long are they?

We stop for lunch in Daphne and are treated to one of those much appreciated and desired meals for hungry cyclists. They serve up a mean meal at Guido’s and we remain pleased with our habit of seeking out a big lunch on our rides.

Back by popular demand -- food pictures! That's Sallie's jumbo shrimp scampi in the background and my shrimp and grits in the foreground. Gotta fuel the engine!

We camp at the historic Blakeley State Park, site of the last major land battle of the American Civil War. The battle of Blakeley saw nine black regiments of the United States Colored Troops fight here on the Blakeley Battlefield.

Our camp at Blakeley State Park

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Tomorrow’s ride is dedicated to Christopher Rubin

Christopher was a father, a son, a brother, and a good friend to many. His life was cut tragically short by the irresponsible actions of a drunk driver.