Westward!

So, blogging an account of a road trip is proving to be more difficult than I had expected. It seems like the kind of thing a person should be able to produce in no time, just slap up some photos and comments on the day and be on your way. But then you remember that people will (hopefully) be reading the thing, and you want to make it sound at least a little profound. 

Then, of course, there is the fact that on a road trip, one is most inclined to be 

actively roadtripping - that is, soaking in the peculiarities of whatever place one finds oneself - as opposed to holing up inside an internet cafe, getting jittery on coffee, and saturated with  accoustic guitar music while trying to think of a way to sum up one's travels. 

This is all an attempt to excuse the fact that I am an entire week behind on my blog, when really I should be writing. So here goes: 

I am in Austin, staying with my college friend

 John. It

 is great to see him in this very cool town, and I excited to get some quality barbeque, watch bats fly out from under a bridge, and maybe hit up some honkey tonks later tonight.  It is satisfying to think that fourteen hundred miles are behind me, along with four states. So far, the motorcycle is cruising trustily along, and just got a clean bill of health fro

m a bike shop in Austin. I can't help but be a little smug when I think of the Harley guys I met in Jensen Beach, Florida. 

"You'll burn that thing up," they said when they learned of my plans. 

Then there was the motorcycle guy my Dad consulted, who said there was absolutely "no way" a Honda of its size and age could make it across the country. 

I know you are probably thinking I'm jinxing myself by typing these things, but I having been knocking on a LOT of wood throughout this trip, I am fully aware and appreciative of my luck, and I've got a keen eye out for trouble. 

'But Jamie, cut to the chase!' You are saying. 'What have you actually been DOING on this trip?' you are wondering. 

There is a lot to relate from the past several days, so in attempt to cover the highlights without boring you away from the computer, I am going to write under 100 words ab

out each of the states I've been in so far. 

Florida: 

Too busy with bad weather, catching up with friends, and making parents feel safe about my roadtrip to process leaving my friends, job and home. 

MAJOR learning curve: lost tent poles, forgot rain jacket, saddle bags burnt by exhaust. 

Scary IHOP. 

Falling Waters: last state park. COOl waterfall

On the road: parents make great pit crew at stops -- fresh water, pep talks, 

bike security guards.

Alabama: 

Spent night with parents other side of Mobile. 

Dinner: ate crawfish at restaurant located in marshes in the middle of the causeway leading to Mobile.

Mobile: first tunnel experience (see picture: Time Warp!!)

Flowering azaleas, canopied streets, great old south feel. 

Left early Saturday, bound for Mississippi!

Befriended Harley rider with Chihuaha (named Harley) tucked

into jacket. 

Mississippi

Town of Beaumont: gas station is hub of town. Store owners, Candice and her husband, had lots of questions about the trip and great suggestions for nearby towns. "God bless you and we hope you enjoy your stay here in Beaumont," they said as we headed out. Gas station was also advertising a crawfish pie meal for $3.50. Asked for it and got a blank stare - they'd been out of crawfish pie for a month, apparently. Settled for the chicken, for which a long line formed at noon, when the fresh fried stuff came out. 

Well on my way to gaining 5o pounds, which my Dad thinks is a good thing for my safety. He would also like to see me spike my hair, wear a nose ring, and start going by the name of Butch. 

Natchez: on the Mississippi! Great town! Beautiful trees. Blues a

nd Biscuits restaurant for dinner: just what the name suggests. 

A sad 'so long' to the best parents in the world in the morning. 

Louisiana

Crossed Mississippi on old iron bridge out of Natchez -- felt epic crossing that waterway. 

Lost my map while attempting to read and drive (another lesson learned.) Did the whole state without one, in just a few hours. 

Scary, windy overpasses, with refuge at Big John's gas station. (Back story: A samaritan named Big John rescued my back pack in Florida. Anything called Big John will hencecorth be associated with good will and luck)

Texas

I'm a fan! First hour in Texas was most scenic part of trip yet. Ochre, crimson, violet and translucent pink wildflowers dance along the roadsides. Wrought iron bridges span cypress filled lakes. Everything is BIG.

Camped at Livingston State Park, with solitary site on edge of lake. 

Cold, windy day of riding on Monday the 6th. Another lesson learned: wind is exhausting. 

Drove through College Station, home of George Bush Library. So tempting to stop, but somehow I resisted the urge. 

Stopped in Dime Box, TX, the site of a running joke between me and my Dad. "Won't find it in Dime Box," he'd say anytime I tried to decline something he was trying to convince me to pack. Rearranged travel plans to go there; WORTH IT! 3o minute conversation with hardware store owner, almost convinced to buy store for $120,000. Left without knowing why town is named Dime Box, or getting story about oversized dime in box.

In Austin for another night. 

Upcoming attractions. West Texas! Camping outside of Roswell! Aliens! 

As John told me last night, "You are about to leave a place where people are." 

Stay tuned...

Jamie