GREENSVILLE TO ROSEDALE

April 27, Monday
49 miles

The wind made the ride interesting today. Strong tail wind with cross winds at time that made it tricky to keep the bike upright. The weather adds another bit of variety. Thunderstorms predicted all week. None in sight so far. The weather is a hot and humid 80 degrees.
The wind was actually at our backs most of the time and we got to clipping along at at 17 to 18 mph with a high of 20 mph for a stretch.

A Rusty Wisdom:
G: Rusty, you are riding awesome today!
R: I hate to say it but my grandmother could ride this good with this wind.

We stopped at the library in Rosedale but there was a sign that said simple "CLOSED - SICK"
While we were lingering discussing our rotten luck with libraries a man came by wanting to use the library also. We had a great chat. He is a middle school teacher who came to Rosedale a year and a half ago to help. He said that Mississippi is the poorest state with the highest teen pregnancy and level of literacy and completion of school. We again heard this area compared to a Third World Country. He said he has traveled quite a bit and is familiar with third world countries and this area qualifies.
We asked him about going on up ahead and camping since we had had a short ride so far today and wanted to go on ahead. He said that the area is really desolate and sparsely population. He said "I suppose you could find a place out on the levee to pitch your tent but I wouldn't do it. It's like a safari out there. We've got wild animals around here. Cougars and panthers, oh my!

We went back into town and bought a can of beef stew at the grocery to heat for dinner. An elderly local black man struck up a conversation with us. He not only had a great southern drawl but a huge toothless grin and it was nearly impossible to understand him . He rides his bike around town and is very proud of how he has it decorated. I got a picture of him because it is impossible to describe. When we were putting our groceries in to our panniers Rusty happened to pull our his Doctrine & Covenants to arrange things and the man asked " Are you Christians?" We had a nice discussion with him about what being a Christian means.
We rode on to the Stake Park, registered, set up camp, showered, heated up our beef stew and settled down for the night.
There are a lot of bugs! My Gosh! I've sprayed twice with my Deet and may have finally discouraged them.
We had our first rain storm and thunder during the night! Our little tent kept us cozy and dry!

We hope to catch the library in Gunnison tomorrow on up the road. The same lady who works at the Rosedale library works there. She may still be sick.