Running the generator so that the air conditioner can cool off the cabin. At Rocky Springs Campground. |
I got my bike back. $175 for maintenance on both bikes: $50 for Alea's chain, $90 for my new bottom bracket, $25 to true my rear wheel, plus tax. The good news is that, short of the derailleurs and one wheel, all of my bike parts are now close to new. So hopefully we won't have any more unforeseen repairs for a while, since the same is true of Alea's bike.
I rode 34 miles to Rocky Springs Campground (free, flush toilets, water available), where we camped for the night. This is one of the three National Park Service primitive campgrounds on the Natchez Trace. It's also the one with nasty brown drinking water, though we've met plenty of people who drank it and lived to tell the tale. All the same, we made certain our water tank and the water cooler were topped off before leaving Jackson, MS.
We have had many reminders that we are definitely in the South. While at Mayes Campground I took Lana over to a boat ramp so that she could swim a bit and cool off. I looked around for any warning signs about alligators and found none. We only played a short while. Lana is not very buoyant, and rides low enough in the water that she swallows a lot of water. This stuff was a murky green, and I had visions of her having diarrhea in the camper later that night if she ingested too much. That evening I was sitting out beside the lake when I spotted a 3-4 foot long alligator. So we were both glad that Lana hadn't played in the water long enough to become a tasty gator snack.
Another reminder was that Alea and I have both recently pulled small ticks off our bodies. And right after we arrived at Rocky Springs we started getting bug bites around our ankles - red bug! We sprayed with DEET right away, and I don't think any had burrowed into our skin, but we'll be keeping an eye on things, just in case.
We think we've found an easy way to add an awning to our van without having to purchase an expensive rack system. We'll be working out some design details and can hopefully find someone in Texas who can help us fabricate the needed wooden bracket for attaching it to the roof of the van.
Amazing trip! Love these. Ya, in that area, no need for signs, ally's are there, everywhere! Whew... sounds like fun!! Be safe, keep posting. Dede
ReplyDeleteAmazing trip! Love these. Ya, in that area, no need for signs, ally's are there, everywhere! Whew... sounds like fun!! Be safe, keep posting. Dede
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