I was up later than normal last night working on my blog. It showed this morning as I didn't wake up until 6am. I am usually ready to ride around then. I was a little alarmed because I wanted to get an early start because its the holiday weekend and I am sure the Gulf Coast will be a popular place for both locals and tourist. I am excited about today's ride along the Mississippi Gulf. Today's first highlight will be biking over the Bay St Louis bridge. It is a brand new bridge thanks to Katrina, and was re- built with a huge pedestrian path on one side of it. The new bridge rises 85 feet above the bay at its highest point, 55 feet more than the old. The cost of the new bridge was $267 million, as construction workers worked around the clock for 10 months to connect the towns of Bay St Louis with Biloxi.
I really enjoyed cycling over this bridge, but couldn't help but feel for those who suffered through one of the worst storms in U.S. history. The bridge drops you off right at the Gulf Coast, and my first time seeing an ocean since I left San Diego a month ago. I was a beautiful site of wide white sand beach and hardly a soul around. Most people are either still sleeping or getting ready for church. I stop for a minute to enjoy the moment when another cyclist comes wheeling up to me. Glenn, was out for his daily morning ride and was willing to show me a few side streets to ride on until I could be on sidewalks and bike paths. The Route 90 that hugs the coast has no shoulder, and will get busy later in the day. Glenn and I pedaled away as we talked about adventures we have taken, and some local history. After a few miles of frontage roads we were back to the coast. We pulled over to take a break before we were to go our separate ways, and I told Glenn about my trip and that I was raising money for breast cancer. Glenn, no sooner heard that and he had his hand in his bike bag pulling out money to give to me. I couldn't believe it. He insisted that I take it. Glenn, it was a pleasure riding with you this morning. Thank you for leading the way, and filling me in on the local history. I really enjoyed it. Of course, thank you for your donation towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation, it means a lot to so many.
I am now back on my own heading east along the Gulf Coast. The problem was that the sidewalk / bike path was beat up in spots and had massive amounts of beach sand in other areas across the path. At times it was slow going but hard to beat the view I had on my right, which was nothing but sand and sea. I biked through Biloxi which I thought was going to be worst than it was. I think I was still early enough to beat the late sleepers and the church goes. I had another huge bridge to cross between Biloxi and Ocean Springs. This also was a new bridge and had the pedestrian path off to the one side. A lot of walkers, joggers, and other cyclist were using this bridge than spans the Biloxi Bay.
After this bridge, my route angled just inland and had wide shoulders and smooth roads.
I was cycling into the town of Gautier, when I notice a woman getting out a car and walking towards me waving for me to stop. I come to a stop and she says "my husband and I wanted to know if you have had lunch yet". "We live right down the road just off your route if you want to eat lunch at our house". Well, I learned a long time ago to never refuse an offer of generosity. " I would love to" I replied. I told her that this is the second day in a row that I have been invited to lunch. I really can't believe this is happening, but she explained that her husband had hiked a large portion of the Appalachian Trail and that they want to give some trail magic back. Right then I knew we were going to hit it off, as it told her that my wife and I had also hiked the AT and I know all about trail magic. We introduce ourselves and her husband gets out of his car to say hello too. Their names are Natalie and Garrett and they just happened to see me biking by and spare of the moment jumped out of to offer me trail magic. Natalie put their address into my phone, so that I can use the GPS to lead me to their house. It really was just a mile down the road. I ended up biking by their house but came back to find it with no problem. I couldn't believe the lunch spread that Natalie and Garrett put together in their dinning room. A full Mexican buffet, and it was delicious. They both made me free so at home, and we had lots to talk about. Natalie is an 8th grade Spanish teacher and Garrett works in Biloxi for a small motors company. It was hard to leave as I enjoyed their company and hospitality. I thanked both Natalie and Garrett as much as words could. You don't get any friendlier people than the south, and my last two days prove it.
It was mid-afternoon by the time I hit the road again. I had around 25 to 30 miles left to get me to my planned town for tonight. I was excited to cross into my 7th State, Alabama. Both Mississippi and Alabama are narrow on the southern end of these state, so crossing them is about a day each by bicycle. A far cry from a state like Texas. My legs were saying no more as I pulled into town, so a good rest is a must for tonight.
I am so thankful for how I have been treated on this trip. It's still hard for me to imagine how a total stranger one minute can become a long lost friend the next. I can only hope that it continues as I cycle east towards St Augustine. Thank you Glenn, Garrett, and Natalie, you made my day, a special day. With tomorrow being Memorial Day, it's a great time to give thanks to those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms we all enjoy so much today.
Photos: Cycling over the Bay St Louis Bridge - The Bay St Louis Bridge - Glenn, my guide through the side roads along the Gulf - Me enjoying the Gulf for the first time - The sidewalk / bike path in Biloxi - the bridge over the Bay of Biloxi - Natalie and Garrett inside and outside their home in Gautier, MS - Welcome to Sweet Home Alabama
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