Close Call

Today has been a postcard beautiful day.
75miles from grand prarie to morganza la.
2180mi total
I passed sugar cane and rice fields along flat back roads. Through hardwood groves and a half dozen peaceful small towns.
As I was finishing my ride along a 6mile stretch of state road, I entered a long curve in which the road was lined on both sides with hardwood forests. The speed limit was 55 and double yellow lines. There have been several unavoidable stretches of road like this that one must ride to get to the next section of back roads. Anyway, I saw a logging truck coming and started hugging the white line on my side. As the truck came by a utility truck cut across the double line to pass... he cut right in front of me without warning and I had no shoulder to vear onto and no time to react. He passed me head on doing about 80 -- I felt a wall of wind and saw but a blur of vehicle. It all happened in a blink of an eye.
I didn't have time to feel any anger or fear...
I realized that I could have been snuffed out that quickly...
Two miles later I saw a sign for Prayer Lake. And that's where I checked in...
Apparently, God doesn't want me dead yet! He must want me to finish this ride first.
Prayer lake is a paradise... Beautiful lush manicured fields and mature oaks and pecan trees....
Thank you all for your prayers.
Tonite, I return the favors.

Deridder to grand prarie la

80+ miles
Low wind flat terrain. Some of the parrish roads are in rough shape... Giving my junk extra discomforts...
Very pleasant day however... Nice temp... Sunny.
I caught up with two young ladies from great brittain who are on a sponsored trip across the usa.
Again with picture uploading trouble... I'll try to make another entry about them with pix in near future...
It's interesting how much the terrain and visible standard of living has changed across the state line. Lush greenery, marshes and rice fields...
for tonite, i'm in my tent behind a church sanctuary in grand prarie ...
God bless us!

Pine ridge estates and rv park in deridder la

I enjoyed a nice respite here. I pulled in at 6:00 after a good days ride. It was a very nice evening. I was greeted by Alan, the park superintendent. I asked if I could pitch a tent somewhere. Alan went way above the call to find me a nice spot by the rest rooms. Alan was the kindest superintendent I have ever met. He was worried that I might get cold, so he told me to feel free to set up in an empty cleaned out storage area inside. I was fine in my tent, however.
I set up camp and cooked up some junk. I enjoyed the cool evening. The park was very clean. Children were playing and running along the tree lined fringes of the park. Parents and friends were gathered outside ... Some were grilling dinner... Others just visiting after arriving home from work. The sun was setting, children were laughing, adults were communing. A huge belly laugh erupted from a man as one of the younger kids presumably got the best of his older brother....
It was all so beautiful...
The next morning I awoke to the sounds of children whispering outside my tent. It was still dark and they were on their way to the school bus stop. apparently they were arguing about whether or not anyone was sleeping in the tent... I quietly unzipped about 6 inches of the tent fly so my eyes would show and I growled, '' Yummy! Children! ''
They freaked... It was great...

Woodville texas to deridder louisiana

80mi today, 2050mi so far... Just over 1000mi to go...
The rolling hills seemed to stop about 20 miles from the border ... almost like an apology that's too late. I never thought texas was so hilly.
Almost immediately the terrain flattened with light winds from the northeast. I'm guessing that winds will have a southerly direction as they blow toward the gulf... We'll soon find out if that's right or not...
Really starting to feel homesick...
I saw a golden retriever that looked like max... I almost stopped -- but I probably would have blubbered...
Love to all!

Texas behind me...

I managed to get this picture to load.
When trying to set up this picture, there were two old farts in an rv behind me waiting to pose at this same monument. They wouldn't go ahead of me. They insisted I go ahead and take my picture first.
So I did...

Oakhurst to woodville texas

62 miles...
I got off to a late start after a good sleep and breakfast. My start was further delayed by a flat rear tire... My 4th flat so far... The culprit was a fine piece of radial tire steel wire. So far... 2 flats from wire, 2 flats from thorns.
Started at 11:00....very boring riding... All rolling hills with a light headwind. Still feeling a bit stale.
Trees and state roads till I hit the border. 45 miles to louisiana... I'll be there tomorrow.

Navasota to point blank, texas

65 miles today...
Today my body had some complaints - so I took things easy and knocked off early. I detoured my route to get off some of the hillier backroads without shoulders and opted for some of the flatter state roads with wider shoulders.
My right gastroc thanked me... And I have learned to appreciate motrin.
some of the tree huggers might scorn me for bypassing some of the sam houston natl forest, but I still got to see some pretty country.
It's amazing to see the transition from desert, to mountains, to arid hills, to scrub forests to lush pine forests and lakes over gentle rolling hills. It all changes so gradually... Much easier to appreciate the gradual transitions on a bike than in an auto...
Tonight I stopped early-- about two hours before sundown. I found a pretty spot behind a church and graveyard nestled behind a pasture.
I cooked up some rice and beef stew... And ate very leisurely while watching the sunset.
I thought about everyone at home that I love and felt a pain of homesickness... Sigh...
I'm a little more than 100 miles from the louisiana border. If I pushed it, I could make it there tomorrow, but I think i'll stroll easily for the next day or two...
Goodnight everyone... I'm glad you're with me!