Shunpiking to Sanity Tour: Day 11 (The Final Day)

July 21, 2013
Today's Mileage: 296
Final Total mileage: 2,565

Work it Girls!

Silly Guys

So, in the final night camping, all seemed well. At about 2:30 a.m. I was awoken from an intense, scary dream by a hollowing raccoon. Raccoon's make horrible screeching noises because they are d****. After the adrenaline rush wore off and flashback from the time that I had almost been eaten by a bear while camping (a story for another time) subsided, I feel back asleep. My brain decided, "Hey, you know what will be a great dream? How about dreaming that a raccoon bits your head through the tent!" Awesome, brain. So sleep did not come easy on my final night of the trip.

Another use for the motorcycles is as a laundry line. With a touch of Frebreze, and hanging the items out, they smell- not as rancid. Honestly, I do not care, but I try to be considerate to people that might have to come into contact with my odor. See I can grow as a person. Here are the motorcycles being used in another capacity.  

Hopping back on the Natchez Trace Parkway after a sink shower, no rinse shampoo, and copious amounts of deodorant, I led the way and we meandered through dirt roads in the area. Knowing we needed to arrive in Baton Rouge, LA around 4 p.m., we just spent the morning on the dirt roads.This picture is the last dirt road we were on before we were back on paved roads.

Just before we arrived in Jackson, Ms, I became fatigued. The mixture of lack of sleep and hours of adrenaline fun- my body was sapped. This can be a dangerous time for a motorcyclist because being vigilante is being careful. Cars and trucks aren't as considerate or cognizant of anyone but themselves. The feeling was on my suddenly. Eric noticed right away and pulled in the first gas station to ensure that I was OK and take a break. After getting gas, and making sure that I was well to ride, Eric gave the lead position to me to stop where ever I wanted for lunch. I noticed that we were right near Interstate 55 and 15 miles from Jackson, MS. Doing the calculations in my head, we were a mere 15 minutes from Cool Al's restaurant. I knew that I could easily make it there and relax and enjoy a delicious hamburger. I made the decision to head there. I was so excited. The best restaurant that I had eaten ate in the beginning would provide a fitting end to my journey. However, the stars were not aligned as we pulled up to Cool Al's it was closed. So I picked the closest thing to us in despair and abject disappointment- Hooters. 

Hooters were the lonely and sad patronize (insert deprecating humor here). Saying you go there for the wings is like saying you read Playboy for the articles. I went there because it was right next to us and I was hungry (hurrah for convenient excuses). Any food was acceptable.

After an uncomfortable lunch, for more reasons than one, we were back on the road. About 20 miles from the Mississippi/Louisiana border, my back started knotting. I was starting to feel feeble. I was not tired just in pain. As soon as we crossed the border, I indicated to Eric to stop at the border rest area. Here is a picture of me doing I-don't-care-what-you-think Yoga. 

During this time, a good Samaritan tried giving me Lortabs, and when I declined, a Red Bull. Seems contradictory, huh? Here is a muscle relaxer and a stimulant. I declined both and after a few minutes of rest, I hopped on the motorcycle, cranked up the tunes, and made it back home in one piece.

So there ends this journey, but there is more to tell. Although I won't be posting everyday, I will continue this blog of adventure, wonder, and rambling. Stay tuned for The Epilogue and Outtakes from this trip. Thank you everyone for taking the time and reading my inane words. At the time of this posting, there have been over 500 views on this blog! Keep reading, sharing, and hopefully enjoying.

Until I ramble on again . . .

I already miss you.