Reel Foot Lake and Rueben Bennet were the highlights of the day. Reel Foot Lake was created when an earthquake hit the area in the early 1800s (sorry, I am too lazy to dig out the fact sheet). The quake went on for several weeks and when it was all over, a new lake was born. The cyprus trees you see in the picture grow in the lake, all around the perimeter. It was a misty day, the lake was dark and a bit eerie and mysterious. We saw turtles as we strolled on the boardwalk that took us down to the lake--and over the lake. A heron stood in a quiet grove of Cyprus, and didn't move a muscle as I watched and waited.
In Mississippi, a lot of the corn is already tall enough to function as an emergency "little biker's" room, while some fields are just a few inches tall. By the time we crossed from Tennesse to Kentucky to Missouri, the corn was perhaps knee high. I guess "Knee high by the Fourth of July" is a meaningless benchmark down here.
Rueben Bennet from Dorena Missouri joined us on the ferry ride that took us from the Kentucky side of the river to the Missouri side. He told me that sweet corn will be ready in June, but field corn will take longer. Rueben and his wife ran the little corner store you see in this picture. Rueben is a WWII Air Force veteran. He served in the Pacific theatre, but also spent a lot of time driving equipment from Montana to Ellworth Air Force Base in Rapid City! He told me that his war experiences were valuable, but he sure wouldn't want to do it again. Rueben was fishing this morning on Reel Foot Lake, and when he left the ferry he rode home quickly and told me he'd be outside his house waving as we went by.
I forgot to stop and have my picture taken at the "Welcome to Missouri" sign. I guess I got so excited about the tailwinds I just couldn't stop pedaling! After a couple of miles, when I couldn't see any other bikers coming (most ar
e much faster than I), I turned around and headed back, thinking I had missed a turn. Soon enough, I saw Patty G. heading my way. Of course, they had all had the good sense to stop at the sign for the obligatory state crossing photo.
e much faster than I), I turned around and headed back, thinking I had missed a turn. Soon enough, I saw Patty G. heading my way. Of course, they had all had the good sense to stop at the sign for the obligatory state crossing photo. Soon enough, I pedaled by Rueben's corner store, and true to his word, there he was with his dog, waiting for us. I said one last goodbye to my new friend and went on my way. Tailwinds and flat as a pancake all the way to Charleston!
No comments:
Post a Comment