Day 26 - Goodbye Texas

Departure: Lumberton, TX      Finish:  DeRidder, LA     

Distance:    82.6 miles

Elevation gain:  1,244 feet (1,100’ downhill)

Winds: SW at 12 mph.

Weather:  Overcast. Occasional light rain  67 to 76 degrees.

On bike duration:   4 hrs, 46 minutes. 

Average speed: 17.3 mph

Total Accumulated Miles:  1,968.6

We left San Diego a month ago today, and entered Louisiana after 2 1/2 weeks in Texas. Almost 2,000 miles done.

The moderate wind was from the Southwest; delightfully so, since we were headed predominantly Northeast. We passed through Buda and Kirbyville, and had our lunch stop in Bon Wier just before crossing the border from Texas. 

There was a herd of goats, just over the fence from our lunch stop in the parking lot of a local Baptist Church. They were very interested in what we were up to. The feeling was mutual.

“Rita” found a comfortable position out front, where she can lead the way to Florida. Now, to figure out a worthy method to pass this mascot off to the next deserving participant.

I was interested to see that the wheat in Louisiana has already “headed out”; much earlier than the typical maturation of wheat in Central Kansas.

It’s another Best Western for us tonight and for our day off tomorrow. This one is a BW Plus. I have no idea what the Plus is about. Maybe it’s the roses. Maybe it’s the Walmart on the other end of the parking lot.