Day 23: Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Clarksdale, Mississippi

The Ride:  135 miles, 1000ft climbing, virtually flat,  minimal wind and no rain

Today wasn't a picture taking day.  We had a flat route and everyone was in a hurry to get in early. So it was 135 miles and 7 hours of being in a pace line.   Doug wanted to get in so he could visit the Blues Museum.  Clarksdale is the birthplace of the blues.  I know why.  Its hot, poor and depressing here.

Jeanine had family to visit.  And I promised to come with her so she wouldn't have to face them alone.  Her family is Mennonite.  So she warned me to clean up my language, wear a skirt and try to behave myself. In return for good behavior, I would be rewarded with lots of wonderful home cooked Mennonite food.  And I was!

Jeanine's mother's cousin, Eldin Schmidt, took us on a short car tour of the town's highlights.  The Blues Museum, Morgan Freemans Blue's Club Ground Zero, and a fun crazy hotel called the Shack Up Inn that has converted a cotton mill into a B & B (thats Bed and Beer). http://www.shackupinn.com/  If I ever find myself back in Clarksdale, Mississippi...which I doubt....I will certainly book a shack there.

Dinner was delightful.  Eldin invited the whole clan and there must have been about 40 people.  The best part was hanging out with the kids.  There were at least a dozen and they were all wonderful.  Mostly girls ages 4-6.  And a few older boys 6-8.  The kids took me out to play on the gigantic John Deere tractor...very fun.  They took me out into the soybean fields...I had never seen soybeans plants growing up close and it is their most abundant crop and these people are all farmers. 

But then the kids convinced me to trek down the dirt road between the fields, it had just rained an hour earlier.  I was introduced to Mississippi Delta MUD.  The kids were all barefoot and I had my sandals on.  In 4 minutes we were all sliding in mud that stuck to us like glue.  It took 45 minutes and a scrub brush before we got that stuff off!  I wish I could share pictures with you but I forgot my camera.  We took some shots with Jeanine's camera but she can't download them.  Beautiful children though....

So today's ride was a fast sweat-fest.  From 9am on the humidity is just there- the heat is oppressive--and our jerseys and shorts felt like we showered in em.  The highlights of the ride were crossing the Mississippi River and crossing another state-line from Ark to Miss.

Snack stop at a rice mill. 

I know you can't see this picture well but it is Jeanine getting chased by about 6 dogs...They have just given up. 

Soybeans....Corn.......Soybeans......Corn....More Soybeans.....more Corn....that's all we really saw today.

Heading up the bridge over the Mississippi River

Jeanine and I cross another state line....Our 10th state crossing.

The ride tomorrow is 135 miles again.  But the forecast is for torrential rain at times. Can't wait!  When it rains here, it really really rains here.  And rain jackets in this heat are a joke. 

We might be swimming....

Take care,

We will too....

Lori

 

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