Ann's Bayou Boogie

[ShimrMoon]

Originally Posted by Sojourner2005

As I was riding along I started noticing road signs for Mississippi. It was getting dark out and it now appeared that I was headed for a campground that was either in Mississippi or close to Mississippi. So much for my Memphis plans. I had to make a choice- continue riding in the dark and not know where I end up, or head to the campground. After holding a furious debate with myself inside my helmet, I headed to the campground where I felt it would probably be safer.

653 miles after setting out this morning, I had ended up in Coldwater, Mississippi, population 1677. It wasn't in the woods but it was a wee bit off the beaten track, especially for this gal from Winnipeg. The owner of the place asked me if I knew where I was. I admitted I hadn't the slightest idea and that getting here was a little nerve wracking. She then went on to say:"Don't worry. You'll be safe here. No one's going to bother you". Now, at this point in my day, those 3 sentences became the most ominous 3 sentences I had ever heard in my life. I'm sure they were meant to be comforting, but they sent a shiver down my spine.

It was now almost dark and I headed out to set up my tent. The first thing I noticed was that although there were a number of RVs parked not too far away, I could see no people. NOT ONE SOUL. Where was everybody? Being a fan of horror movies, my mind started racing with thoughts of every slasher-pick I had ever watched. The fear of being hacked to death was then pushed aside by the fear of whatever insects were producing the wall of sound that was assaulting my ears. I don't know what the mosquitoes and crickets look like in Mississippi, but based on the sounds they were making, I envisioned them being the size of bats.

I struggled in the darkness, heat and hail of insects nipping at my neck to set up my tent. It didn't go well, but I was so tired, and not a little scared, that I went with it, even though it was sad and droopy:






I had thought I had packed a flashlight, but here's what I had packed. Not too much help when you're pitching a tent in the dark.



It was now pitch black, I was scared, the noises around me were freaking me out, but I was dead tired and I headed off to bed. Just a quick note - my good to 14F - down sleeping bag did me no favours in the 100F heat of the Mississippi night. Luckily, I can always, always sleep, so I was out like a light.

That one little blip of stupidity shouldn't spoil you're trip. We've all experienced our share of sly racist remarks. Hell, I'm a white guy and I've had a few instances myself. I just ignore these uneducated knuckleheads. It's unfortunate but we, as Americans, will never totally eliminate racisim. There's always going to be one race or the other that dislikes those different from themselves. With America being such a melting pot of races, I guess it's just gonna happen.

The best we can do is not let it slow our ride...

As for your lack of campsite ilumination, maybe you should've fired up the Beemer and used the headlight.

[Scooterchick]

Shimrmoon is right....it is pure stupidity and ignorant to say the least. But it does still exist and the most you can do is ignore it and not let the ignorance of some and/or the denial of others to shape your own experiences. As long as we are a melting pot, we will have these issues. I've just chosen to not be part of the problem.

But my head ain't in the sand either. I'm fully aware that everything in most civilized societies "evolve" through time and that changing "methods" of racism doesn't change the heart of a person. Racism comes in all shapes and sizes and covers just about every ethnic group on the planet. You gotta have your head under a blanket to think it doesn't still exist. Some people are saying that the Holocaust didn't happen either...ha. So, "there you go" as they say here in Canada. My husband and I were just in Raleigh, NC two months ago for a week. Not 50 or 60 years ago. So, for anyone to imply that there is no problem is willful ignorance. There is far too much in the news for any slightly informed person to take that position.

What we experienced as an inter-racial couple would blow your mind in this day and time. It was his first experience with that kind of thing. So, the things that came out of some folks mouths while simply trying to get a hair cut in a barber shop was shocking and embarrassing to him seeing as I was standing right there when they said it!. Poor guy, it took him several hours to process what he had witnessed. I assured him I was fine..:-).

As I said, Sojourner...I can only speak of my own personal experiences which are not at the mercy of someone else's opinion and they never will be. I am so glad that you ran into some wonderful hospitality on your journey and that your fright and the words of the nice lady didn't scare you from riding. And thank you for saying that you were not naive about some of the dangers of the road. It's good not to be especially when traveling alone.

Anyway, hats off to you girl! I can't believe this is last year's report! My husband and I plan to do some traveling next year and are in the process of looking at routes and pricing gear!

We are excited about it. It's been wonderful to "travel" with folks from all over the world through ADV. I get to go places through their words and pictures that I may not ever get a chance to personally visit.

So, thanks for posting your experiences.....and oh! Yes, I agree... you are over the top as a sports nut! hahaha.

As they say...."whatever floats your boat"!

[PostIt]

Great read so far!!

[camgregus]

or
my
house...


I"m
on
tent
space...

[ToniBraxton]

Great trip !
But there seems to be something wrong with your picture links.
I keep clicking on this one:

to get to the 1920*1080 resolution wallpaper, but it isn't working.
Please fix it

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by ShimrMoon

That one little blip of stupidity shouldn't spoil you're trip. We've all experienced our share of sly racist remarks. Hell, I'm a white guy and I've had a few instances myself. I just ignore these uneducated knuckleheads. It's unfortunate but we, as Americans, will never totally eliminate racisim. There's always going to be one race or the other that dislikes those different from themselves. With America being such a melting pot of races, I guess it's just gonna happen.

The best we can do is not let it slow our ride...

As for your lack of campsite ilumination, maybe you should've fired up the Beemer and used the headlight.

How is this a racist remark?

You don't think the nice lady would have said this to any female that was traveling and camping alone?

[FolkGirl]

Hey great report so far!

I recently rode Route 2 from Maine through NH and back home to VT, Not sure about Maine, but there are much better roads in NH and VT. From route 2, drop down to Conway NH and ride the Kancamangus HWY, and try route 302 into central Vermont. You will pass the Mount Washington Auto road on your way to Conway, which is a great ride on a clear day.

[oscar23]

Hope you had a chance to check out their baseball stadium while at LSU. They have an awesome team with the best fans in college basball-
Great report-stay safe

[prometheus rising]

Great report, enjoying it immensely, keep it coming

[Oldone]

Thanks for the great RR......I'm wondering how close you might've came to our house in Park Rapids, MN? I'm thinking that you must've ridden down Hwy. 71 next to Itasca State Park as you traveled through Minnesota? Anyway, thanks for taking the time to do this as I really enjoyed the excitement.

Gary

[40MileDesertRat]

Hey,

Doing the Blues Highway next spring. Nice preview and enjoyed reading about your trip..

Ride safe,

40-Mile...

[rockydog]

Whole Foods....oh yeah. I was thrilled when Whole Foods opened only 90 miles from me, so thanks for the pic. small pleasures in life are so rewarding..

[Ol Man]

Thank you for posting your 2011 trip; looking forward to your 2012 report.

[conchscooter]

Of all the BMWs to take off riding the 800S seems like the least likely touring candidate, which gives this ride a particular interest. That and a passionate desire to photograph an empty stadium, which as I have no interest in sports leaves me wondering whatever am I going to see next? I have traveled widely across the US and can only say that most of the violence this country is famous for occurs between people who know each other so sticking to your (unintended)policy of not getting to know people will be beneficial. Not camping on your next adventure might be a good idea too, you need your sleep.

[Poucher]

Wow!!.......Halle Berry look-a-like who rides a bike .......... my dream girl !!

Great report Ann,
Really admire your bottle ( nerve ) for a single female just to up and go off on a ride like that, more power to you young Lady!!

You said that you like to speed, but just remember :-
"Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly"

Safe trip!