A few more adventures...
Back in Georgiana, where I realized that being alive and having coffee are the two basics of life, akin to their converse "death and taxes"... Christianity is really big here, with lots of bumper stickers and license plate holders and church signs more making often funny declarations. Some of the bolder ones include:
JESUS
GOD IS MY PILOT
FAITH
And the way people talk!!! A few beautiful lines I heard frequently include:
"Do y'all need ketchup or anything?"
"Y'all have a good day!"
Also, I enjoyed:
"Oh, my heavens!"
Back in Greenville, I noticed on the back of the scenic courthouse, which sits at the end of a long beautiful avenue, on a little sign that could almost escape notice, there was a nuclear symbol declaring a fallout shelter.
Next, made it to Montgomery!!!
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
This morning, woke up and went to a cafe in small town Alabama. Got a sandwich on a biscuit, coffee, key lime pie. Oh my goodness!
As I was eating the wonderfully delicious key lime pie, an older gentleman walked in. Seeing me enjoying the pie, he greeted me. I invited him over, and we got to talking.
The man spoke in a hoarse whisper, often very difficult to understand. He also carried with him a paper notebook and pen, which he used to write down and draw things that were difficult for me to understand. His handwriting was wavery, and I also found it difficult to understand.
The man told me of his topsy turvy life. He had been a big man, and he once had a family, all of whom he lost suddenly. In the case of his first wife, he soon found out that she had only a few months left to live. He had become an outlaw, and went to prison. Many other adventures happened. Overall he maintained a positive, even enthusiastic attitude, seeing life as wonderful!
And it is.
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Last night I got to Georgiana, Alabama. Home of country legend Hank Williams. Getting into town, I wasn't sure if I'd ride right by, or stop in. Thought I'd have a quick look, and it was getting late, so I decided to stay the night. As I stopped riding, I could see a house having a fire and music. Kept walking, by a dilapidated old gas station. A cop car pulled over. Rolled down the window. Yes? OK. Rolled up the window. I went on, found a place to camp, by the side of the highway. Not much place else, with all the overgrowth of greenery.
Next morning, went to the Hank Williams house. Walked on, came across a hospital. Chatted a bit with some friendly locals. Found out about a cafe, and went. Ordered some biscuits and toppings. They were out of biscuits. Huh? Got some toast instead. Did some editing. Two chapters of Astrotripping.
While in the cafe editing, a couple of cops came in. The people at the booth behind me made some snide remarks about messing with the cops. The cops left.
After editing, I chatted a bit with an older lady, who was interested in my travels. Was going to get another bite to eat before leaving, when the two cops came back in. They came up to me, and asked me to leave. Huh? Felt like the movie Easy Rider. One of the cops, an older, shorter man, had really bad teeth, and smoked a cigarette after I left. The other one, who looked like he may have been the first one's son, looked seventeen or eighteen. Small towns, fun times.
Rode on, got to Greenville. Wasn't sure if I'd ride right by, or stop in. Thought I'd grab a bite to eat. As I rolled into a chicken wings place, it started to rain. Now pouring down heavily. I'm writing this in the outdoor-only seating, under a metal roof, as some Alabamans wait for some chicken. I'll have a bite to eat after.
Rock & Roll & Country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
That's my very rough estimate of what I've done.
Also, I'm playing around with a slogan like the following:
Eagle Gamma: 175 lbs of steel.
What do you think?
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Riding the gently rolling hills. Meeting the gently rolling people. What a beautiful place!!!
People here driving by in pickup trucks offer me lots of rides. As much as I really appreciate it, I love riding in sun. Sometimes I wonder if they realize that riding by bicycle is the point!
Stopping in at the little shops, they seem to sell anything and everything to fuck you up: alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, etc. That's true more generally, although here the stores really seem to market it a lot more, with huge posters of NASCAR drivers holding beers, etc. The decor around here tends to be really awesome!
I like the government's sense of humor, as seen on highway signs. Sorry, I forgot which examples! :)
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
