Happy mother's Day
Mother's Day as celebrated in the United States today traces back to Anna Jarvis, who, following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905, devoted the rest of her life to establishing Mother's Day as a national, and later an international holiday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day_%28United_States%29
Pete, Chris and Phylis Panagos in New Hampshire
Phylis with Max - she would always push her glasses up with an upturned index finger
Nina's grave marker - it says
I am in full sunshine now on the bottom
Nina on right with her sister Anne,
possibly in Vancouver, BC 1958
The route today featured 20 mile sections between towns. Franklinton to Bogalusa, Louisiana to Poplarville, Mississippi to Wiggins, Mississippi. When we planned the ride months ago, matching appropriate mileage to a town with a motel was challenging. Wiggins was off route, but fit better as a stopping point on the day. We jammed the first 40 miles to Poplarville, lunching on the curb of a gas station/store.
Good bye Best Southern Inn - hello panniers
While packing our things to head back out on the road, a truck driver with Texas plates asked for directions to interstate 59. We looked at our map and told him to head east on State Road 26, our route. Once we left town, it appeared we'd provided bad directions, and the thought of him coming back toward town as we headed out was not appealing. It turned out that we were correct. The interstate overpass sat four miles out.
We took a few turns in the road then state road 26 straightened out to Wiggins, Mississippi. As we drew nearer the town, I checked our accommodation for the night and it said the Southern Inn. Holy Crap, could this be a kissing cousin of the Best Southern Inn? The rate of $43.59 indicated a possible snake in the grass; we'd think it a great deal until we checked in and reality proved far more random and absurd than our imagination. After last night we needed an even scorecard. We needed a list of amenities to shore up our spirits after the deprivation meted out by the Best Southern.
We stopped for a snack at a cemetery in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
There were several folks paying visits this day.
We snapped this gnome - Nina had a few in her yard.
Wiggins sits at the crossroad between state road # 26 and Interstate 49. 26 slopes down toward the interstate and offers a good view of civilization available to us; McDonald's, Pizza Hut and . . and . . . the Best Western! We looked at each other knowing exactly what the new plan was. We rolled into the Best Western parking lot, Chris checked availability at the desk, I immediately called the Southern Inn and canceled our reservation, stating dishonestly that we'd run into mechanical trouble and were still in Poplarville unable to make it to Wiggins by nightfall. I would have eaten bugs to avoid another night like the last.
There were no bugs on the menu at McDonald's or Pizza Hut. We just had to decide what we'd have for lunch and dinner. The motel was stellar, better than we deserved, almost empty, clean, guest laundry, pool, the works. After check in we immediately did laundry, then used the pool for only the second time since beginning the ride. The first was in Globe, Arizona. Swimming takes a lot of energy after so many hours on the bike.
We combined lunch with resupplying provisions at the gas station/store/McDonald's. After only a few hours we trudged back to Pizza Hut for more food. As I sat there eating, one server stopped in his tracks and said "is that Spawn?" while gaping at my right calf tattoo. We then chatted about Spawn with Eli for the next several minutes, until guests started backing up at the door. Here's this kid working at Pizza Hut, still living with his parents as they disapprove of him spending any money on things a kid wants to spend money on. We could sense his frustration while offering a few helpful words of advice - move out.
I envy those premature adults who, at 15 years old start plunking money into a retirement account. I remember when I wanted a skateboard and realized the best way to get it was earn the money for myself. This skateboard (Logan Earth Ski with Sims wheels, Bennett Trucks) was the singular reason why I started delivering papers instead of stealing (more accurately, why I stopped stealing). No matter where you go, teenagers want the same things; freedom to do as they please. From our perspective finding someone with a common interest in Wiggins, Mississippi made this Mother's Day a good one all around, not to mention the motel.
Thanks Nina and Phylis for looking down on us today and nudging everything into place. We needed a good day and you gave us yet another to go with all the others we remember so fondly.
over and out
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