Day 36: Fooling Around Tupelo, MS (10 miles) Although I took the day off to mend the knee, I feel restless. There's wet weather expected tonight and tomorrow. My knee is fine when not pedaling but I climbed aboard and went in search of a bike shop. (I could write some reviews on the equipment for this trip. My second pair of gloves were the high dollar gel Treks but the gel leaked in the compartments where it's needed most.) While at the bike shop I picked up some stove fuel, greased my pedals, and got another freeze-dried food packet. I discovered too late that the house where Elvis Presley was born was only 8 miles away; It would have been dark in an hour.
Day 37: Tupelo to Glenrock Picnic Area, TN (104 miles) I left town in a misty drizzle. The characteristics of the terrain are beginning to change. The pines are giving in to hardwoods; limestone outcroppings are evident; The mild swells are hills once again. The character of the ride is changing subtly too. Alone with my thoughts, they wander less in the dark each day. The joy of the effort is slowly returning. Erinn, while most certainly out of my reach, is just as certainly communing with the Lord. Tears will probably always sting my eyes when I think of her. I caught almost all of the scenic pull-offs along the Trace today. The drizzle turned briefly to rain and, by mid-afternoon, the sun was out on full force. I managed to bicycle in three states today: 46 miles in MS, 33 miles in Alabama, and 25 miles into TN! My right quad is holding but still complaining. I camped along a babbling stream at a picnic area.
Day 38: Glenrock Branch to Franklin, TN (78 miles) It was only about 45 degrees as I repacked this morning. I was grateful to have my Oregon shirt, hat, and glove liners. It was 42 miles before I found a place to eat breakfast. I jumped off the Trace at Hwy 412 at Fall Hallow Bed and Breakfast. I enjoyed visiting with the owners so much that I was still there 2.5 hours later! After that I put my head down and pedaled only looking at some of the sights.I said goodbye the the Natchez Trace Parkway at Leipers Fork and skidded into a motel at Franklin.
Day 39: Franklin to Gallantin, TN (42 miles) I left town on Hwy 31E going directly into Nashville. Just south of Nashville were numerous multi-million dollar homes. Surprisingly I saw an REI store along the route and traded my defective "inflatable" sleeping pad for one that actually works. When I explained that it was no fun blowing it back up all night, they were very gracious about it. Shortly afterward I arrived in downtown Nashville. I shot some picture of the contrast between the old and the new there, and, naturally, got a shot posing with a plastic Elvis. I pushed onward through the urban sprawl until Gallatin, where I was offered a meal and a place to stay by a passing motorist/cyclist/Air Force surgeon. I foolishly declined, wanting to push onward for another 2 hours, but, when I paused for a moment to look at the map, I realized there wasn't anything ahead in that range. I ended the evening camped at the Gallantin Civic Center, where they allowed me the use of their shower facility the following morning.
Day 40: Gallanin to Glasgow, KY (60 miles) The urban sprawl was easier to deal with than the lack of shoulder as I continued to aim towards reconnecting with the Transamerican Route. It started out 6' wide as I left Gallantin, but turned to 8" with a 10" rumble strip once in Kentucy. I stopped in Westmoreland and visited with Steve Barron, owner of the Shell station, for over an hour. I finally decided to quit early to get my laundry done and to update the blog in Glasgow, KY.