12/18/2014

Crystal parked our trailer on the side of the Hilton Hotel in downtown Baton Rouge. I walked through a hallway under renovation led by a pleasant scent of gingerbread. When I reached the lobby, I waited to check discovered the smell of gingerbread came from a gingerbread house replica of the hotel. I was ready for one full day of rest and relaxation. The Hilton provided us with a room on the eighth floor overlooking the Mississippi river. The black and white photos on the wall complimented the view of grey skies. I stayed off my feet for most of the day, except for when I walked to the river to get a closer look at some steamboats.

Full rest days have kept the body from completely shutting off...

12/16/2014

In the middle of the pitch black night a downpour pounded the trailer. It roused me from my sleep then left in an instant. I rubbed my legs in my drowsy state and then fell right back to sleep. I’m sure I received a few more hours of rest before the big rigs started firing up. We had parked next to the huge machines under the assumption it would be safe and quiet. It was true until the morning.

A small breakfast sandwich was enough to start my day. My legs felt great and I wanted to run. I took off, conscious not to let loose too quickly. I could tell in the first few steps that I’d have great run. The trees went flying by. Some were decorated with beaded necklaces. I assumed the beads were part of the Louisiana Mardi Gras experience...

12/16/2014

The Jacuzzi bath at the Country Ridge BnB relaxed my aches and helped me sleep. I woke up almost completely repaired. The breakfast that awaited was a country quiche with fried apples. I had additional cereal to add extra fuel to my body. It was a quick meal since we needed to hit the road. Before we left the Bed and Breakfast, we picked a tangerine and a few kumquats from the trees on the property.

I adorned my feet with my beat up Saucony shoes one more time. I’m sure most of the outsole was left on the roads of Texas but I couldn’t keep wearing shoes that injured my legs. The weather was warm enough for shorts. At least I would be comfortable while I labored away on the road.

The frogs, bugs and wild animals kept me company along the country roads...