THOUGHTS ON THE SOUTH

We officially left the South when we rode over the state line into the Yankee state of Illinois. There is a definite different feeling and the people no longer speak a foreign language. We've put together a list of things we'll remember about our journey through the South. More may be added as we reminisce.
1. They speak a foreign language
2. Rusty and I were in the minority: skin color, accent, two old people on bicycles.
3. Lush vegetation, green and wet
4. Crawfish, sweet tea, and fried anything.
5. Black women working behind the counter seemed to have an attitude...maybe it was just us!
6. The people were friendly, chatty, helpful, and curious.
7. Flat roads, mostly.
8. Drivers were patient, considerate except for one bus driver in Clarksdale, MS.
9. R liked the food! "Good Stuff! Deep fried everything and great flavor!"
10. G thought the food was mostly over cooked and too "heavy" and fresh greens are scarce!
11. R: "Back woods needs to get into the 20Th century"
12. Dogs are tense in Tennessee
13. Water! Water everywhere!
14. Houses on stilts
15. Loved the music! Blues and Jazz being piped on to the streets and overflowing out of restaurants.
16. There is a definite Southern charm.
17. Special Southern "Trail Angels"
18. Hard to find "hearty, healthy, heavy" bicycle rider's bread at any size grocery store.
19. Discovered that plywood boarding up the front door and windows of homes we saw in Mississippi did not mean they were unoccupied. Seemed sad to live that way.
20. Enjoyed getting to know the South!