9-29-2012 (Saturday) Collinwood, TN to Baldwyn, MS

75 miles biked today
Average 12.6 MPH
Our alarm went off this morning at 5:30AM and we got up and got dressed and took Dianne and Larry’s vehicle to the Roadhouse restaurant for breakfast.  Afterwards we went back to the B&B and packed the B.O.B. and we were on our way by 6:45AM.  Larry came out to take our picture and to send us off.

Getting ready to leave Miss Monetta's Country Cottage in Collinwood, TN

It was definitely cloudy and overcast the first 20 or 25 miles but the sun did come out this afternoon and we had a very enjoyable ride.  The terrain is starting to flatten out with only a few hills today so we were able to make pretty good time.  We bicycled in three states today.  We started out in Tennessee and then entered Alabama where we bicycled 34 miles and then entered Mississippi.

Leaving Tennessee and entering Alabama!

Leaving Alabama and entering Mississippi

Shortly after arriving in Alabama we saw our first cotton fields.  After asking around we found out that the cotton is usually harvested in October but it is a very poor crop this year due to the drought.



When we got to mile post 303 on the Trace we were instructed to give Tom (the owner of the B&B that we are staying at tonight) a call and then he would meet us at mile post 282 with a car and trailer and take us to his house which is off the route about 10 miles or so.

Tom and his wife, Jean were very welcoming and made us feel right at home.  Not only did he pick us up so we wouldn’t have to bike off the Trace but we were able to do a load of laundry and then we also rode with them to St. James Catholic Church in Tupelo for 4:30 mass today.  Once we arrived back at their home Tom gave John his car keys and we were able to go and get a bite to eat before calling it a night.  Our plans are to eat breakfast here at 6:15AM tomorrow morning and Tom will take us back to the Trace and we will continue on our way. 

We have 382 miles to go to the end (count down is on).