September 30, 2012

Helena, AR to Greenville, MS

Distance 103 miles, 18 mile on my bike, 12.8 mph average speed, ride time 1:24, actual time on road 4 hours 40 minutes.  Expenses $1.95

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Coming upstairs from the man-cave, which by the way made for a great night sleep in comfortable bed, no windows so nice and dark and very quiet, Kevin was busy preparing biscuits and the ingredients for his delicious French Omelet.  My jaw dropped and my morale dropped even further when he said it’s raining.  Oh I hate riding in the rain more than climbing hills.  Kevin checked the weather for me on his note pad, looking at the radar screen it appeared this was a sizeable storm front passing through.  Though the forecast for the day was predicting only a tenth of an inch of rain during the day but going to have two inches overnight.  My thinking a tenth of an inch rain during the day I’ll be able to ride as it should be very light sprinkle of rain.

After filling up on a huge omelet that lived up to expectations the rain was still coming down harder than expected.  Kevin suggested and I totally agreed to wait awhile for the storm to pass.  Over the course of the next three hours I got to visit with Kevin and learn more about his life changing experience of canoeing the length of the Mississippi.   28 years ago when Kevin graduated from college with a degree in International affairs it was common for the new graduate to take a couple months to travel before entering the real world of working for a living.  Most of his classmates elected to tour Europe however Kevin wanted to canoe the Mississippi.  His best friend tried to persuade Kevin not to do a canoe trip here in the US as it would be more important for an International Affairs major to be able to include on a resume that he had toured Europe for a few months actually experience some of his book learning.  Kevin stuck to his own plan and began canoeing the Mighty Mississippi.

Kevin quickly and repeatedly discovered on his journey down the Mississippi how friendly, hard working, kind and generous folks were all along the river.  He reasoned and correctly folks at least here in middle-America are mostly of the same mind set. Even folks who had very little would invite him into their home and share what little they had with him.  By journey’s end Kevin knew he had to play it forward and do whatever he could to help folks wherever and however he could.  Kevin became a voice for the people of the Delta Region and a career in politics.  His first taste of politics was landing a mediocre job for one of Arkansas’ US Senator’s, once there his strong work ethic and dedication he was promoted to a more important position.  When Bill Clinton became President Kevin’s work ethic caught the attention of the new administration landing him a position there.  After Clinton left office Kevin decided to run for State Senator in his home district and won.  Throughout all the years he continued to work on establishing a Delta Regional Authority similar to the very successful Tennessee Valley Authority.  Kevin says the program is a start but right now is greatly underfunded.  He used a great analogy; the program is like having a major trauma wound needing bandages but instead only a band aide is being used.  Still there is progress being made helping the economic conditions of the Delta Region.

The rain was still coming down at 10:00 AM, Kevin checked the forecast and it hadn’t changed so I decided the rain had to stop soon and I had 65 miles to ride today and needed to get on the road.  I rolled Spirit outside and asked one of the girls to take Kevin and my picture before departing.

Kevin Smith and the Old Guy. Kevin had life changing experience canoeing the length of the Mississippi River after college. He likened it to a “Spiritual Awakening” something I’m beginning to realize on my adventures, too.

Sissy came out and said she would lead me out of town and over the US 49 highway bridge as it could be extra dangerous in the rain.  Turned out she was quite right and I was very appreciative of her doing so.  While on the bridge I slowed down a number of vehicles one of which even passed us insane driver.  The bridge also had two foot wide steel expansions every 25 yards or so and each time I rode over one of them Spirit’s rear wheel would begin sliding out from under me but I managed to keep upright.  Had Sissy not been keeping the traffic at bay hard telling what would have happened to the Old Guy?

After crossing the US Hwy. 49 bridge I entered the State of Mississippi. Even though it was raining I couldn’t pass up stopping to take a picture.

17 miles down the road the rain still had not let up and actually was getting worse.  I don’t know what the National Weather Service was using to make the forecast but it was not even close to accurate.  To complicate matters motor vehicles were passing me much too close, one trucker even laid on his horn before and while passing me but at least he moved over to the other side of the road when he passed unlike the trucker in Minnesota.  Finally I decided I’d had enough, dismounted and stuck out my thumb for a ride.  The Lord is still providing for me in my times of need as the first pick-up that came along stopped.  I asked the driver if he’d agree to give me a ride south even if only a couple miles.  J.C. May the driver said sure and his hired hand Clark jumped out in the rain and loaded Spirit into the bed of the truck for me.  Once inside the cab I introduced myself and expressed my deep gratitude for his kindness to give me a ride.  JC said they were only going five miles down the road but when we got to the turn-off he said he’d take me onto Rosedale, my planned overnight town.  JC, I learned owns a house moving company and even showed me a couple houses they had moved as we drove along.  He also shared that he’s a lifelong resident of this area and as far as he’s concerned folks are just getting downright mean spirit and aren’t as neighborly as they once were.  Immediately following up with, “Are you sure you want to stay in Rosedale as it’s a pretty rough town and I’d best not be outside after dark.  I thanked him for the advice and said a little prayer asking God to keep me safe.

JC pulled into a convenience store in Rosedale.  Clark was first out of the truck and jumped into the pick-up bed and pretty much unloaded Spirit for me.  Once again JC warned me to be careful in Rosedale as did Clark this time.  As I rolled Spirit to the front of the store, 3 young teens surrounded me and began asking all the usual questions, our visited lasted maybe 15 minutes and not once did I feel threatened by them, they were curious kids just like most folks I meet.  Finally, I did tell them I was getting chilled and needed to get inside out of the rain.  They went on their way.  Inside the store an elderly gentleman immediately greeted me and we visited for about an hour.  He confirmed two things for me; one there are no motels open in Rosedale and second I might really want to consider going onto Greenville another 35 miles down the road instead.  That wasn’t comforting news as it was still pouring down rain and now it was getting late.  There was a lull in the downpour so decided to mount up and head toward Greenville as it was near three o’clock and I’d be lucky to arrive there before dark. Going outside I quickly discovered the temperature had dropped substantially.  Dang it, what else was Mother Nature going to throw at me today?  Not a mile down the road I got my answer when the sky opened up with another downpour.   About the same time a couple vehicles passed me way to close for comfort.  That’s it, no more trying to ride today either I’d hitch another ride.  I pulled off to the side of the road and stuck out my thumb at about the same time as pick-up pulled onto the highway from a side road.  The driver immediately pulled over and rolled down his window and asked if he could help me.  Told him I was in desperate need of a ride to Greenville but would be satisfied to accept a ride however far he was going.  To my surprise he said that’s where he was going and he’d be glad to give me a ride.  Thank you, thank you and thank you I said to the driver and then said a thank you to the Lord for sending this “Road Angel” to the Old Guy’s rescue in a time of need.

Scott Steele my second “Road Angel” of the day gave me a couple towels to dry my drowned body off and turned the heat up in his truck for me.  He and I quickly hit it off and the 35 mile ride to Greenville passed quickly.  As we neared town Scott really rocked my little world when he said I could stay the night at his place. Arriving at Scott’s home he helped me unload Spirit and even allowed me to bring the bike into the house.  I had to unpack all my panniers as everything I had was soaked.  Scott loaded my clean clothes into his dryer and my dirty clothes into his washing machine while I took a hot shower.  After coming out of the shower Scott shared a left over stew he had made with me and we enjoyed visiting for a couple more hours.  His son, who lives down the road about where my intended ending day for tomorrow is, phoned and said that there had been over 5” of rain already today and it looked like the rain wasn’t going to let up all night.  As Scott shared this weather update with me he further offered to help me get to my destination tomorrow if it was still raining.  “Road Angel” I thought to myself Scott must be one of God’s arch Angels sent to protect and provide for me.  I went to bed thanking Scott and privately thanking God over and over.  For me I will never doubt there is a God guiding, protecting and providing for me.

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