Day 1: Stockton to Grove Hill, AL — 72 miles 

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Today's ride through the Alabama timber belt featured more roadside churches than businesses. We would much prefer to begin with a 40-50 mile day, but we had little choice, over 70 miles to the first motel. Even roadside gas stations were rare and the food options limited. The beginning temperature was about 60F, very comfortable, but approached 90F by mid afternoon. 

Kathy, John's wife, leaving our exotic Spanish Fort lodging.

Our starting point this morning, where John finished yesterday. 

The Stagecoach Cafe was closed, but the wait staff had an interesting t-shirt. The wait staff entertained John on Tuesday while he waited for Kathy to pick him up.

Many of the houses had these types of building around in varied states of repair. Perhaps for the former "staff." The Alabama building style usually features a front porch with a large overhang. Whether a narrow building, as shown, or wide, the only variations might be pillars and screens.

Typical road: Excellent surface, much better than Montana chip seal. These rumble strips wake wayward drivers but are nasty for bicycles. We experienced courteous drivers all day, especially the log-truck drivers.

Not many Texaco signs left like this one.

I kept hearing Emmylou Harris, the Red Dirt Girl.

I prefer a fast church myself, the faster the better.

Finally, about 2 pm, we discovered this fine roadside establishment offered fresh burritos. Lunch.

Wild Hog traps for sale.

Many historic signs along the way. This one was drafted before people were concerned about being politically correct.

Me, Bike Friday and trailer, a bit ahead of John.

The predominant smell all day was turpentine. Area yellow pine forests are "farmed" for lumber and kraft paper. The scent is pleasant at first, but after 6 hours, perhaps headache inducing as if sniffing gasoline. We saw a number of clear-cuts and one area where the owners had lit fires to clear underbrush, much like the Montana potato growers between Churchill and Manhattan.

I failed to capture a single Critter of the Day. I failed to stop for a horse and the few dogs we saw were chasing us. I spotted a 5-inch striped lizard, but he hid under a soda machine before I could get a photo. Surprisingly, I walked around Grove Hill after dinner and did not see a single dog, cat, or pedestrian.  

We encountered Dave, a solo bicycle tourist, about 25 miles east of Grove Hill. Dave started from his home in St. Petersburg, Florida, and was camping with occasional motel stays. He's planning to be on the road until September. His next goal is Nashville, then heading west to Oregon, planning to follow the Lewis and Clark Adventure Cycling route. Little guy, 60ish, very fit. Dave ended up at the same motel in Grove Hill, the Deaver. We invited him to join us for dinner, but he was too tired. Dinner was a Mexican restaurant, across the parking lot about 50 feet from our room. Char-grilled fresh shrimp enchiladas with green chili. Bliss.

We are planning a shorter day tomorrow, about 49 miles, unless we have to divert to a quieter road. 

Thank you for reading and for your comments.