The closer we get to Louisiana, the thicker the air gets. That languid feeling kicks in first thing, the mornings are sopping with sluicy humidity. By midday the air gets hotter, mopping up the moisture. Today we rode small state routes through several small towns. The surfaces and shoulders (or "skirts" as they say in Florida) varied, sometimes good, sometimes bad.
The maps were confusing and unclear when we reached Shepard, Texas. We spent about 25 minutes seeking the correct route. Finally reaching Kountze, Texas, about 74 miles on the day, we stopped for food and drink. It was mid 90 degrees by now, and I filled a huge cup with ice, bought juices and we sat on the smoke-break bench outside the store. The bench sat on the afternoon shaded side of the building and we let off some steam before heading out again.
Ten miles later we passed through Silsbee, Texas, then got on highway 96. Oh the joy. Straight, smooth, huge shoulder, clean. It lacked charm, but who cared at this point? We jammed down the road for about 30 miles to Kirbyville, stopping only once in Buna, Texas for fluids, and a Burger King cheeseburger for Chris. I was not in the mood for it, just too hot.
Kirbyville sits on highway 96 and we reached it around 3 pm. The Gateway Motel was super funky, but clean and safe. We asked the owner if they had guest laundry. Everything we owned smelled rank since we were without our support crew. She said there was a laundro-mat down the highway a bit. She then asked how many clothes we had, and she offered to wash them for us! How cool was that? She got them back to us after about an hour, and we could not have been happier.
We chowed at Subway, restocked supplies at the local grocer, then went back to the room and enjoyed the air conditioning and TV.
over and out
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