Day 28 - 87.9 miles - Livonia, LA

     It didn't go as planned last night. First of all, the cowboy camping didn't work for long. I was getting bitten by mosquitoes instantly. No problem, I just had to set up my tent on the farmers porch of the visitors center with no rain fly. The main problem is still the humidity. Even at night, I just sweat and feel sticky. So camping without getting a shower is not the best option like I did last night. I felt gross all night. I did end up sleeping ok, despite the trains that blasted their horns from across the road every few hours.

      I woke early with major fog. Visibility wasn't much past my hand in front of my face. Not good when biking on some of these roads with limited shoulders. I was packed up fast and left the visitor center around 6:30am. It was difficult to see in this fog. I was lucky that the road I'am on this morning is light with traffic. I am taken the route that Adria pointed out to me yesterday. I had 15 miles on Route 26 south and than its a straight shot east on Route 190. Route 190 ended up being pretty busy but did have a wide shoulder for much of the ride. The problem was that the shoulder was covered with debris. I was just praying I didn't have tire troubles. This route was ok in between towns, but when it reached a town the shoulder would disappear and I would be in the way. Most of the traffic pushed to the left lane, giving me the right lane. I took a break in the small town of Krotz Springs. I am constantly stopping to buy drinks. A must to stay hydrated because sweat is constantly dripping out my pores. It is hard to explain just how much water I am losing to sweat. My towel is always hung on my handlebars so I can wipe my face, hands, and body. The Deep South is not a great place to exercise, all day especially this time of year. 

     I noticed a bridge ahead. The traffic was stopped and there were police cruisers with lights flashing. I had no idea what was happening. Can I bike over the bridge? Is it closed? I started off towards it. I was passing the traffic because they were backed up and mostly stopped. I got onto the bridge and noticed a large group of runners taking up the whole bridge. I biked up to them and asked what was going on. It was the finish of a charity run the benefit the Special Olympics. That bridge brought me high above the Atchafalaya River. After that bridge, everything went downhill. I don't mean literally. My one time large shoulder was now full of cracks with clumps of grass growing out of them. I bounced over these humps for miles hoping my bike stayed together. This was one of the worst sections I have biked over and it makes me nervous as I don't want to damage my equipment. I have already noticed my front tire is out of true. Just a little, but enough to rub on the brakes.

     Then the worst of all came. I had to cross the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Area, which was a 7 mile bridge that carries you over all swamps. The bridge was 2 lanes each direction with no shoulder. I had no where to go. I just had to take the right lane like I did this morning. It worked, as the other drivers were kind enough to move over and give me space but it was hairy and I couldn't wait to get through it. I made it but today has taken a toll on me and my bike. I can only hope better days are to come. My fingers crossed.

     I arrived in Livonia and was so ready to call it a day. I checked into my planned motel and cleaned up. When I got out of the shower I noticed the skies getting dark and then the rain came. It came down in buckets for about an hour. The motel parking lot started to flood. I got soaked just going next door to the diner. I am happy to be inside tonight and cleaned up. It makes a huge difference. It has been extremely difficult to camp for me on this trip. I have been so hot, for so long, that I just want to be comfortable and cool at night. Not to much to ask.

Photos: Camping on the farmers porch of the visitors center - Sunrise burning off the fog - Drilling in the early morning - The town of Eunice - Moving east towards Baton Rouge - The Atchafalaya bridge and river - No shoulder over the 7 mile bridge - The highlighted route on top is the Adventure Cycling Route, the lower highlighted route is what Adria told me about and the one I am taken