I headed north from Dauphin Island, Alabama, this morning, following
many souls on the road to Heaven. I came
to the island yesterday by ferry when I was a day younger and left with high
hopes, far above the dark water of Mobil Bay.
For a hard struggle uphill, and into the wind, I hopefully traveled
skyward and beyond.
But I came plunging down from that false hope into the town of
Bayou La Batre, its French name foretelling my soon entry into Cajun
Country. And there I met two bikers from
Switzerland heading east.
I passed these shrimp
boats tied up because it is Sunday. And
when the churches let out around noon, the roads were jammed.
After Bayou La Batre, I saw this sign, not so uncommon with
its dual message, not at all unacceptable in the Bible Belt.
I left Alabama today, the day after I entered it, and rest
this evening in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Your bike improves the look of every state... not only their welcome signs. Hope you have a good rest and feel encouraged as the wind dies down... you are in strange territory... but I am sure your presence makes the world there better. Smiles from the poetry world... one thing I remember about our cross country trips is we went so fast... maybe lured by the end point (really unknown then) --you at least have home, and you can't really go TOO fast. I felt like everything was like a billboard and the depth missing... wishing I could feel it more. But then in Teax we stayed longer. Long enough to have a baby and study Shakespeare and Modern Poetry at Texas A&M... what did I know from all that? I think I learned the smiles of strangers who are friends, that I could connect with and feel the warmth, were scattered everywhere. No matter how strange a land, there is a strand of helpfulness and friendship that can be traced in the people who see who you are, and identify. It's the best of any world, both here and there. Happy to see some smiles ... hoping you have one now.
ReplyDeleteIt is surely a place of courtesy to strangers here in the South. The speak to me in the market, in the cafe, from the side of the road as I ride by. I talked with about six strangers today. and I met the Dutch couple again and rode with them for an hour. Tomorrow we expect tp meet again.
DeleteToday, the wind was on my back like a masseur gently working out the kinks from yesterday.
Tonight, I am in Wiggins, Mississippi, where no internet is in the room. I write this from the motel lobby.
Tomorrow, the wind is expected to be from the southwest and very strong. I promises to be a hard day.
Weather looks much better. Tell us if you see Forrest Gump, or any of his boats "Jenny".
ReplyDeleteI did not meet Forest Gump, but as rich as he got, he and Jenny might be living aboard one of those big shrimp boats you see in the picture.
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