Leaving New Orleans in high spirits we faced fair skies and long days. Each day brought us to a new state and a step closer to completing our cross country voyage. It really feels like we are nearing the end. Less than 1000 miles now and the impossible has happened: I'm not getting nearly as hungry as I used to... On our ride out of New Orleans I couldn't even finish a $7 po' boy! I think that we have reached the stage in our tour where our bodies have gotten as fit at what we are doing as they can get, and no longer need the extra fuel to build and strengthen. The timing is probably good (we won't need 6000 calories a day when we return to normal life) and this new development will be the best for our wallets in the end. We really enjoyed Louisiana- the ecology and human culture made up for the rough roads and lack of shoulders. We had a night of ghost camping in Mississippi City after a 80 mile ride from New Orleans. Ghost camping, also known as stealth camping, is a popular solution for the thrifty bike tourist.
The next night we made a huge day of 105ish miles to Gulf Shores State park in Alabama. The day was highlighted by a 3 mile long bridge to Dauphin Island followed by a 45 minute ferry ride to Fort Morgan. We were grateful for the break to stretch and refuel. The bridge and ferry also let us bypass Mobile, AL which we have been told is not the greatest city to bike through.
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| Shadowfax on the Dauphin Island Ferry |
From Gulf Shores we were within striking distance of Fort Walton Beach and our first family connection since Tucson, Arizona! Three of my dad's cousins live within 10 miles of each other along the Floridian coast and we got to see two of them! Karen put us up for our Cinco de Mayo noche and served up Coronas and a Mexican casserole to boot! We got to learn about family history and got to meet her son Mark who had a lot of knowledge that will help us with the rest of our journey to the Atlantic.
The next morning we headed across the bay to Destin, FL where we had lunch with Diane and company. A beautiful day led to some jet skiing in the bay by her house, a first for Sarah and me! I am now writing this from a warm shower's host on Florida's "emerald coast" where we finally swam in the Gulf of Mexico! We are looking forward to the rest of Florida and the weather is looking great. St. Augustine here we come!
The quartet of states:
The family hosts!
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| Karen! |
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| Diane and family! |
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| The Emerald Coast |
-WJT
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