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.

Shunpiking to Sanity Tour: Day 10

July 20, 2013

Today's Mileage: 243
Total mileage: 2269

Family Photo

Leaving from Wally Doxen, Eric and I headed north towards Tennessee. We have decals (I do realize this is somewhat childish, but I do not care I like stickers) and every state that we travel in (or just cross the border) we put that state's decal on our motorcycles. Eric had yet to cross into Tennessee, so why not?) At this point, I have Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, North and South Carolinas, and Georgia. It is real life achievements, it gives life more replay value. Riding north we did start the day off road. Here is Eric and I stopping to check the mud road ahead. It is beautiful riding.

The difficulty with riding mud roads on two wheels are the tires and potential lack of momentum. Motorcycles want to stay upright due to physics, well it is geometry, mass distribution, and gyroscopic to be more accurate. To continue moving forward, the tires need traction. Tires with "knobs" sort of scoop the mud out of the way to create traction. Just call me Rob the Science Guy. Eric and I have the same tires, which are designated as 80/20, meaning 80% on road (tarmac) and 20% off road. The mud that we were in pretty much caked our tires removing the little extra traction that our tires create. Forward momentum was maintained through rigorous maneuvering and dumb luck. Much of my life relies on dumb luck. These tires are good for loose gravel and packed mud. Even in those scenarios it can get hairy and led to a fall. Yet, we didn't fall. Go us! However, my next set of tires will be 50/50 tires- the Heidenau K60s. We passed by two BMWs on the trail someone on a F800 GS and another on a GSA and one of them had the Heidenau.

Part of the thrill of riding off road is the unknown. What will happen next? What problems will we have to solve? What is the wing velocity of a swallow? These are all profound questions that swirl around in my mind. Ok, that is not so much true as it is just an adrenaline rush to fight your way through a difficult area or brake your back tire as you slide downhill or giving some gas for more momentum to make it up that daring hill or threading the gas as you round a turn standing on your pegs. The concentration is tiring and invigorating simultaneously. Here is another view from the road we were on that day.

Just marvelous. We stopped at a restaurant just inside Tennessee. Worn from the day, we stumbled into the restaurant and ordered some mediocre food. We tracked mud into the restaurant. They were really sweet about it, but we felt somewhat embarrassed. Have no fear gentle reader, I provided a 50% tip to compensate- we walked on carpet. 

Before heading back south we had to decide on a place to stay. A decision was reached to jump on Natchez Trace Parkway and either stop at Jeff Busby Camping Area of Tombigbee National Forest (not to be confused with Tombigbee State Park, which we had at some point). Tombigbee was slightly east of the Natchez Trace Parkway, but we didn't know exactly how far. We ended up at Jeff Busby for two reasons 1) it was directly off the Parkway and 2) it was getting late and it is better to set up camp in the daylight. Jeff Busby Camping Area is a primitive camp ground meaning no power hook ups or water. There were fountains near us and a toilet, but no shower. I think another motorcyclist stopped in at some point in the evening, but they were far enough away that I never saw them. Here is a picture of our campground. 

This campground was more open and could hang out with the stars as I sip on my scotch. This is the good life. Tomorrow is the final day of my trip.

Until I ramble on again . . .