ROSEDALE TO CLARKSDALE

April 28, Tuesday
45 miles

About eight miles up the road at 10:15A we stopped at the library in the tiny little town of Gunnison. Library hours: 1 to 5. sigh.
We rode on to Clarksdale. The weather was threatening all day so instead of riding on to Helena AS, a total of 70 miles, we decided to stop off for the night in Clarksdale. I used the library to post a little on the blog. Stayed in a motel.
Clarksdale is famous for Blues Jazz! We didn't check out any of the jazz joints but there was a man from Kansas staying at our motel who was riding his Harley for three weeks on a Blues tour catching various blues festivals. He got out his harmonica and gave us a sample of his style.

The poverty and conditions of the area started to get to me today. I have had experiences with poverty in third world countries but this is much closer to home. It is good to realize that there is a great need right here in the United States. On the way to the library we rode thru a very nice area of town but then heading for our motel we rode thru a very poor area with rows of houses that looked like a housing project. Black people sitting around on porches, children playing, ...all pausing to watch us ride by. I've thought I'm glad we aren't riding our "flashy" red tandem that brings so much attention and that not only our bikes and gear look well worn and traveled but we do as well. More visiting with those we meet confirms the Third World theory for this area.