6-16-14
Day 26
Magnolia AK to Atlanta TX
Another one bites the dust as we crossed the border into the
Lone Star state Texas. This is the 12 state we have entered on this tour so
far. And this is also a needed state for
the “toured in all states” quest.
Our route has us rolling through some of the smaller towns
in the region. Unlike yesterday we did
run into a couple country stores. These country stores have a bit more to offer
than most of the “country stores” in Connecticut. You can not only buy a gallon
of milk you can get shiners and crickets if you plan to go fishing. (See the
video) But be sure you have your pants pulled up before you walk in the door as
the door sign said “Pull Up Your Pants”.
We did not see any sign referring to guys wearing tights so we walked
in.
The further west we go the more the temperatures rise. Today we roasted in 98 degree heat with a fair
amount of humidity tossed in. We are not complaining about the heat because it
is still better than rain.
We are seeing more crop dusting aircraft working the fields.
These aircraft are specially built for their agricultural purpose with engines
developing up to 1300 horsepower and able to carry nearly 10,000 pounds of
liquid.
The pilots, according to one of the dusting company owners
are some of the best in the aviation industry.
It is easy to agree with him after you witness one of these sky cowboys
in action. Dropping out of the sky like an attacking falcon dusting a mere 30
feet off the ground then pulling up just in time not to get tangled in the power
lines. Sometimes it is almost scary to watch.
Using a GPS they buzz the fields in a grid pattern making
sure all the plants get the fertilizer or chemical they need then landing on a
grass runway to reload.
It was an easy day of only 75 miles again do to the availability
of a place to sleep. It is getting harder to find hotels as we drift into the
outback of the USA. We would really like to get in more miles but when your
choice is a hotel at 75 miles or one at 135 you go for the 75 miler. Big miles in the scorching heat is hard on
us. We will become more accustomed to
the higher temperature after a few more days….we hope.
Bodies still holding up well with the same sore hand issues
that may linger for a while longer.
Poor Joe has had to suffer without his nightly reward few cans
of ice cold beer due to dry counties in Mississippi and Arkansas. When he found
out we were headed to another dry county in Texas he grabbed a 6pack and tossed
them on his bike in Arkansas. Oh yea along with shiners, blood worms, milk and
crickets you can get beer at the country store.
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