JASPER, TX to DeRIDDER, La (10/23 FRI) 52 MILES 7:30 TO 1:30

Last night left room at 9:00-others in bed again. Talked to Armand-good visit w/family-went biking 2x w/Whitney-going to leave early & play golf in DeRidder before we get in. Watch Forensic Files (seen them before) in lobby until 12.

WAKE TO MARY RUTH YELLING, “WE’VE OVERSELPT!!!” She’s already dressed & packing. Kory tells her “IT’S ONLY 5:15!” She is so excited & didn’t have her glasses on when she looked at clock. I’m in a coma & need sleep. Stay in bed-others go to bkft a little earlier. Very friendly worker takes our picture-have group prayer. Lost my light & go back to room-still dark & 60% chance of rain. Good shoulder most of the way, warm, flat-starts to drizzle-stop for turkey picture-Karen bikes off.

Stop again-put on rain jacket-too hot-stop & take it off. Finally catch up to Karen & pass her. Down on aero bars-flat-wait for Karen. Man in truck pulls over-asks if I need help. Yesterday a lady turned around & asked me if I needed help too. Karen arrives & takes my picture w/Andy. He works at a Baptist Camp-has done a MS 150 bike ride-has diabetes-lost 50 lbs-another really nice person.

My new friend Andy

Kory & MRuth waiting ahead-went to Subway for bathroom break-they leave & we stay. Starts to rain-we leave-now I just need to bike. Oh, Oh-dog in my lane-yell-Go home! Starts barking & chases me-that is a very fast dog-I’m going 15 mph. Finally see gas station-Kory & MRuth waiting-where’s Karen W? Back there someplace. Kory goes to find her-makes sure she gets by dog. I’m drinking ch mk-they bike by-NO stopping. Catch up-No breaks today, Karen? Determined to get ride over. I stop & take picture of TX sign & then we take pictures at La border.

took same TX picture-on same bike for cross country in 2002!

Karen W (w/1 shoe off) & Kory at La border-almost there!

We’re all together now-I stop to get camera out-look behind me-cop car w/flashing lights on our shoulder. Mary Ruth-a cop is following us. Her brother Allen has told everyone WE’RE COMING!!! We get police escort to WELCOME TO DeRIDDER SIGN. Armand is there (already played 18 holes of golf) & several other people. Get many pictures taken.

Me, Karen W, Mary Ruth, Kory & our police escort, John