Day-10
July
16, 2006
Over the river and through the Ozarks to Choctaw
Campground we go...
After
a great day of riding with Sam Correro, the founder of the Trans-America
Trail, we awoke once again in our very colorful rooms at The Isle
of Capri Casino Resort in Lula Mississippi. Sam stayed in
our room since it was so late when we returned from the Ground Zero
last night. Although tired, the guys were coherent enough to discover
that being on the Mississippi River makes for some nasty mosquitoes
during the summer months, especially at night!
Before
starting our third state, James was determined to find a local barber
who could cut his flowing golden lochs and give him a clean shave.
In town, however, the only hair Salon he found specialized in African-American
styling. The Stylist and customers looked amusingly at James, Sam
and Mathew as they entered the store. After explaining what he wanted,
it became clear that his request was not compatible with the type
of hair salon that James had entered. The humored Stylist graciously
declined an interview with James, who then headed back to the Resort
disappointed. Although a swing and a miss for James and his small-town
barber fantasy, he was adamant that he would not shave or cut his
hair until he found the perfect Barber to do it.
So,
over
the river and through the Ozarks to the Choctaw Campground we go.
And for the first time to date, James, Michael and Steven surprised
Chris and Mathew by arriving ahead of schedule. After securing a campsite
at the crowded, but beautiful, Greer’s Ferry Lake Campground
in Choctaw Arkansas, Chris and Mathew had gone out to explore the
grounds and to pick up some food for the crew, leaving the trailer
behind to mark their territory. When they returned the riders were
waiting for them, a good hour and a half ahead of schedule, much to
everyone’s amazement.
Unfortunately,
Steven had injured his knee during the ride. They
had come across a stretch of deep, loose dirt which created a thick
dust cloud when ridden through. Steven, being at the back of the pack,
got the worst of the dust and was unable to see the sharp turn quickly
approaching. Attempting to take the turn at the last minute in the
deep sand caused his bike to slam down on him, his knee trapped between
the frame of the bike and the ground. Steven was able to continue
and ride to the campsite but it was obvious he was in pain. We’ll
need to keep a close eye on him tonight and make some decisions about
how to progress in the morning.
In
the meantime, Mathew cooked us up some steaks and corn that he had
gotten at the ubiquitous Wal-Mart back in town, for a traditional
and hearty campsite feast. We're all looking forward to a good meal
and a relaxing night on our first camping experience of the trip.
Side
note: It is currently still over 105 degrees at 6:30pm!
That may not be the best sign for things to come!
Amendment
to side note: It's now after 10:00pm. It still feels
like it is 105 degrees although it’s more likely 85. There is
no breeze whatsoever and the mosquitoes seem worse than in Lula. Is
that possible?!? Chris and Michael are working together (on different
computers) to download pictures and get the day’s information
in order. It’s rather comical to see these two working by computer
light in the middle of camp.
Photography
Copyright © 2006 Motorrad
Media and Chris Rankin. All Rights Reserved.
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