RIP
We stopped off in Jackson after only 28 miles today for a bit of a rest.
Actually, there is more of a story here..we were happily on our way to Raymond chugging along at break neck speed (11 mph), when all of the sudden my phone rang. I was so excited to have service on the back roads of MS that I answered (bad mistake). It was Shirley, the proprietor of Oak Hill B & B in Raymond checking to see when we would arrive.
This is a good lesson for all of you out there who talk on the phone when you’re driving, or as in my case, riding your bike. Anyhow, Shirley is one of those Mississippi women who wanted to talk and talk and talk. After 6 attempts to hang up, telling her vehemently that I would call her when we had stopped, I hit a bump…in the road, that is.
And that bump bounced my phone off of my handlebar rack and onto the road perfectly beneath Donna’s approaching front and rear tires….yes, my neat little slider phone cracked and bit the dust….WITH SHIRLEY STILL TALKING ON THE OTHER END!!! We stopped, and I ran over to get my phone off of the pavement and Shirley still talk, talk, talking…I screamed into the phone, “I WILL CALL YOU WHEN WE STOP.”
Amazingly enough the phone still worked but the screen is cracked and you can’t see a darned thing…we stopped a few minutes later for our lunch and to scream at Shirley across the Natchez Trace and (I kid you not), she called again before we even had time to get off of our bikes…hence our detour and stop today in Jackson to try and find a T-Mobile store.
So, here are a few pictures from the day…we road along the Ross Barnett Reservoir and the Cypress Swamp. We saw tons of egrets (I think that is the spelling) and I’m inserting a couple of photos.
Now, however, we’re so tired, neither of us has the energy to brave the roads and get the phone. Here are some nice shots from today’s ride.
THE EGRET
Hello my brave ladies,
Wow, what a beautiful event filled day- for all of us. I just have to say- Donna, what are the odds of running over that phone just perfectly? Reminds me of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich incident!!
I will be missing you each- wish we were telling stories and drinking wine already but we will do that soon enough (well I know how about a beer and key lime pie). Thanks for helping me get through a long long day- but nothing compares to what you two have done!!!
Love you, Nat
No…nothing compares to the support you have given us throughout this trip. We couldn’t have done it without you, Nate.
Love you, love you -
Li and Don
haha mom told me about the phone story and i cracked up! and i was also so sad for your phone, Lisa. i bet yall get really lonely out there with only having each other to talk to. i would go CRAZY if i could only talk to one person for about a week all day! well yall have fun and try not to fight too much
Love, Coyote
Hey Lisa and Donna,
Sounds like you are having a great trip, despite the phone! Everyone was talking about your trip in spin class tonight:) Millicent and Kiersten and I talked about meeting ya’ll on Sunday and riding some, Kiersten was going to check with ya’ll tonight. Hope you’re having fun with Shirley! Be sweet and PRESS ON!!!
Liz
Hello there Ladies, it sounds like you are having loads of fun. Lisa, you didn’t need to go to such extremes to get rid of poor Shirley.
She was just looking out for your best interest. OK Donna, I have made it a point to send you a comment everyday and I get nothing back. What is up with that??????? Aren’t you getting my positive vibes everyday…the sun is shining, the weather is great..what more can you ask for, except a ride home. Keep up the good work. See you when you get back to the gym. You are missed. Missed you in Spin class tonight Lisa. Amy is definitely ‘Lisa Trained’…Jenn
Jenn,
This IS Donna…I am staying at whatever hotel this is we’re in tonight….and YOU are picking me up on Friday. Hope you know the way to Jackson. Sometimes when my legs will barely turn, I think about your positive energy and make one more rotation.
Lisa was pretending she had me in her spin class today, so we had our first meltdown desperately searching for a hotel to stay in since we ditched Shirley. Lisa called her back on my phone, and now I’m afraid she’s gonna start calling me.
I’m gonna give her your phone number since you have soooo much compassion for Shirl.
Beware any 601 area code calls. See you Friday. I’ll be ready around 8 am.
Donna
Well, well, well I didn’t know you could be so clever to mess your phone up in order to stop 22 miles shy of your original stopping point. What is worse is that you created some made up person, Shirley. How did you make your phone look like that?
I miss you both. The pictures really are beautiful. I wish we could meet up with you on Sunday, but I know you are scheduled to teach spinning on Sunday. What dedication. I hope you will take it easy on us. Donna, the Key Lime pie in your fridge was AWESOME. I stopped by when I was walking Mullie and Louie. I didn’t think your name on the box applied to people outside your family. Thanks again–
BE SAFE!!
xo roadie
Liz,
We are PRESSIN’ ON. I, however, according to Donna, forgot to schedule a rest day in our trip, so if you and Milicent leave now, with your bike packed up (75 lbs), you’ll be able to meet Lisa (Jenn’s picking me up Friday here) near Tupelo.
I would love for you guys to meet us on Sunday; but I am schedule to teach spinning Sunday morning, so that might not work.
We are planning on being back by Friday…or at least en route to Memphis. Besides, it would not be a fair ride – you with your lean steed and us with our clydesdales.
It is definitely an experience to lug all that weight. Whew.
Lisa
Roadie,
That was the key lime pie that had a hair on it….I put it back in there because I knew Matthew couldn’t resist eating it, especially with my name on it.
Hope it was good.
Donna
Like I would ever leave a good piece of key lime pie around the house in my absence.
Claudia,
Marathon training is looking better and better right about now…thanks for hollering at us to say hi.
Donna and Lisa
8:00?!?!?!?!? I will be there at 5:00a.m. Sharp! I gotta get to work by 6:30a.m. So you better be ready when I get there. I am not waiting one minute past 5:00
I am blocking all 601 calls on my phone, so Shirl had better find her somebody else to harass!
Get some sleep, you are gonna need it, especially if I have to leave you behind on Friday…
Jenn
Pedal on, you two, and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Wow – I think I might like to do something like this, albeit in Wine country!
Cindie & Chris
Dr Donu and Leesu. I bet it is hord. You guys are tuf.
love,Cole
Cindie and Chris,
We think that can be arranged….wine country sounds lovely…then the coffee breaks would be wine breaks…thanks for the encouragement…we need it.
L and D
HEY COLE!!
Wish you were here…you could pedal ahead and find all the best picnic spots for us.
And yes, this is hard…and we’re getting “tuffer.”
Dr Donu and Leesu
HEY COYOTE,
My phone is toast…oh well, guess that must be some sort of omen, like don’t talk and ride…anyhow…see you soon.
Lisa
Hey guys your doing a great job! I know this has been a fun and challenging adventure for you but I need my sister back! I think my back is trying to go out just because I know she is unavailable. It is amazing but I think Shirley from the B&B works at several different locations! I believe I talked to her yesterday while trying to paint Jordan’s room and she was working at the dentist office….also I’m thinking she could be my mother-inlaw! You guys keep up the good work on the bike trail and I will keep you updated on the political front! I just hope that your life’s savings is still in tact when you return! Love you guys! Be Careful! GO OBAMA!!!!
Hey Davey,
We know the gym is perfect with you and Nat at the helm…miss you and thanks for being you.
L and D
Lisa and Donna,
Sounds like quite an adventure….so happy that you journaling this the web. Luv the phone story ….too funny. Be safe…and have fun!!
See ya soon.
Allison