roadkill

8 flat tires an still rollin

there be a lotta glass on tha road

hallowe en seems so long ago, but for the update i was a mime (that talked all night and danced badly). we went on a scary haunted bike ride round town, met some cool dudes that took us to 'new roots farm' fire an potluck, and turned my front wheel into schrader from presta in a pinch.

if anyone needs to go to st louis (pronounced lewis, you frenchies) i think i can give a great tour: cherokee street, the arch, ted drewe's frozen custard, the craft alliance, the waterfront, the moolah theatre, worker owned organic bakery, afghani restaurants, big thrift stores and much more... we did it.

from st. l mo. we unsuccessfully attempted to catch a boat out of kimmswick. "just missed the season" we were told... and they DIDN'T laugh at us. so apparently, it's possible.

we meandered steep ozark hills for a coupla "lost" days: windin' narrow roads without shoulders as 18-wheelers carrying coal dust barrellin down our necks. we met nice folks in towns with swastikas and anti-abortionist jargon. we were in the thick of hillbilly country when barack won the votes of middle class amerika.

earl the plumber saved our skin and drove us back to the mississippi river, where we gathered ourselves, and found a place to stay with judy in cape girardeau (remember the anglophone accent). she's a 70 year old cyclist in better shape than sheri or i who does a million cool things and lives in a mansion. in cape we went on a fast and drunk night-bicycle ride, ate free burritos and hit up the farmers market.

a few days later, biking back in to illinois, then over the big ohio river into kentucky i had my first real southern experience. i got to ride in a 'horse an buggy' an eat BBQ briskett. all i need now is some pecan pie and a porch swing. can't wait to try frogs legs and fried okra.

hey, didga know Mean Gene makes Burgers To Go? well, he does, in Wickliffe, KY.

we're in tennessee now, after a restful WARM night in a church and suffering through the morning service wasn't even all that bad (except for the "pledge allegiance to the flag" bit, and singin "god bless america"). it was worth the free things we got in return. sometimes i think this trip is all check and balance

we're goin to memphis. anybody know anything good goin on there, send it my way.

~lotsa southernly love, d