The Darwin Compendium: Voyage of the Beagle, The Origin of Species / Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex / Expression of the Emotions in Humans and Animals / Autobiography combines a number of Darwin's writings. His clear thoughts, his poetic language, his genius shines through.

I fully subscribe to the judgment of those writers who maintain that of all the differences between man and the lower animals, the moral sense or conscience is by far the most important. This sense, as Mackintosh remarks, "has a rightful supremacy over every other principle of human action;" it is summed up in that short but imperious word ought, so full of high significance. It is the most noble of all the attributes of man, leading him without a moment's hesitation to risk his life for that of a fellow-creature; or after due deliberation, impelled simply by the deep feeling of right or duty, to sacrifice it in some great cause. Immanuel Kant exclaims, "Duty! Wondrous thought, that workest neither by fond insinuation, flattery, nor by any threat, but merely by holding up thy naked law in the soul, and so extorting for thyself always reverence, if not always obedience; before whom all appetites are dumb, however secretly they rebel; whence thy original?"

After crossing the southern USA, I'm now in Pensacola, Florida. Getting ready to rock & roll up to Chicago!
Yesterday, Saturday, America Day, the 4th of July. Fireworks! Watching from the railroad tracks above the water. Barbecue everywhere! Some Confederate flags, too, so not entirely clear which independence was celebrating.
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Riding through southern Alabama, broke a few more spokes. Pulled over, tried for a while to bend the rim back into shape again. Got it rolling somewhat, although the wheel no longer had enough spokes to hold its shape. After trying a bunch more times, finally got into town, the charming Foley.
Found a bike shop, a couple of minutes before closing. The extremely friendly guy working there offered me a new wheel, then got me a whole bike and transferred the important parts over! He even put me up for the night!
Now on bike #3 this trip!
The new bike is in a lot better shape, I had forgotten what it's like to ride with gears, brakes, and a setup that actually moves smoothly!
Today, went to a classic pharmacy with Old Tyme soda fountain. Had bbq and 10c coffee, listening to amazing music while the model train went by overhead and airplanes hung from the ceiling, etc.
You know you're getting on when you go to the nostalgia shoppe, and see products you use! :)
Hot sunny day, riding on towards Pensacola, Florida.
Happy America Day!
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Up to page 100, more than halfway through editing this draft of Astrotripping!!!
Now in a public library in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. Fannie Flagg grew up here, and donates to the library. Her book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is one of my inspirations in going through the South!
The library has kittens, which are very charming.
Soon will be the 4th of July, and the gas station down the street will offer free hot dogs, while the people parade through town!
Now editing with headphones while listening to the radio, which seems to help focus.
This morning, after camping in a beautiful forest by the water, I made some bean burritos with tomatoes on a wood fire, and some instant coffee with barley and chicory. Everything smells and tastes delicious!
Lifeways!
By the way, I recently started a TaleWOW page for a new world, Really Great Britain!
Yesterday as I rode through Sweet Home Alabama, lots of friendly folks talked with me. I met some other people with bicycle travel connections. And some people helped me out along the way!
What a wonderful half one of 2015, and here's to an awesome half two!
Rock & Roll & Electronica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Editing Astrotripping, the awesome book's coming together. It reminds me of being there, to go through the draft again.
Going back on the road!
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Edited another chapter of the current draft of Astrotripping!
Added a bunch more to Tropicalia!
Explored a bit more of Mobile, Alabama!
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Added a bit more material to Tropicalia!
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Here in the Deep South, things are really different! Would y'all like any guns with yer Baptist church?
One church had funny signs, saying "Thou shalt not park here."
Yesterday, on the way into Mobile, Alabama. I got a flat front tire around the outskirts. I stopped to fix it. It was a kind of rough neighborhood, with lots of people just hanging around. The stops nearby didn't have any bike parts. Patches weren't sticking, possibly because of all the water. After a mostly sunny day, it started to rain. I went into the protection under a building. The thunder and lightning came down hard. I continued to work on the bike, going through all my patches without any luck. Had a bite to eat. Walked to a bunch more places, still without bike parts. At one place, a couple of black women spoke in a way that I had a hard time understanding, and one of them told the other: "Talk like you wuz in New York." At a car mechanic shop, with a bunch of people hanging out in front, they couldn't help but were interested in my travels. As I walked on, one of them drove up in a pickup truck, and offered me a ride to Walmart. Went there, got a couple of new tubes, and fixed the flat.
Then, I went to Cracker Barrel. Had an awesome meal, and again someone got the tab.
By the way, everything here seems more advanced: Mobile laundry, Mobile pet grooming, Mobile this and Mobile that! :)
Next, I'm thankin' of headin' up through Montgomery, Birmingham, Nashville, Tupelo, etc., on the way to Memphis, versus going through Jackson. What do y'all reckon?
Rock & Roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Have a laugh and a half!