So, after seeing Mike and his family in Michigan the weekend of the class reunion, and Jon (along with Jim) on the bike trip thru Canada, I decided it was my turn to reciprocate with a visit to their state (I later learned they both live on hills and there would be no place to park my house - Note to self, get friends that live in the flat lands). It took me a few days to get there from Chicago, including a stop over to ride some great roads in Tennessee, but I finally made it to the Peach State.
Luckily Jon and Mike, who had never met (and, now that I think about it, still haven't), were considerate enough to live within about 20 minutes from each other, on the north side of Atlanta. I was able to find a campground in between them, with this great view every morning from my front door.
Yeah, life is tough.
Besides getting to spend time with their families, I got to spend a day on the boat with Mike seeing just how low Lake Lanier is (as well as dreaming about life on a lake while we looked at 50 foot houseboats - may have to try that the next time I retire.).
But the highlight was that both Mike and Jon, on separate days, took me on some GREAT bike rides in the Appalachian mountains, in the northern part of Georgia. Once again, I was blessed with incredible fall colors. Of all the colors I've seen this year, combined with the incredible roads, this was by far the best.
Like I've said, spending time with friends has been the best part about this journey. Here's Mike's family.
As well as Jon's.
From Georgia, I worked my way across Alabama and into Mississippi. I couldn't very well pass through Mississippi
without catching some blues music. I spent one night parked in the Municipal Courts parking lot in Indianola, MS, AND since they didn't have their Christmas lights up yet, I was able to plug into the empty power plug!The next night I stayed in Rosedale, but since there was no music there, I drove 40 miles to Clarksdale and went to Red's Lounge to listen to Robert Belfour.
I'm now back in Texas! My house is parked on the property and I'm staying with a friend. Hoping to get a lot of riding in, mixed with a bunch of visiting. Who knows, maybe I'll even find a job.
Yeah, that made me laugh pretty hard too.
Well, you can check out the Georgia and Mississippi pictures here.
Enjoy, keep in touch, and remember,
Life is Good, Send Smiles.
Lon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13971363@N05/sets/72157603159225587/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13971363@N05/sets/72157603159477493/
