Day # 11 started off as an exceptional day.  I hate to keep sounding like everything is so great; however, it just seems that is the way it is.  I also know that we have a great team and that we look at the glass as half full as opposed to half empty.  When I woke up this morning I found the hotel bill under my door.  I looked at it and was amazed that Mr. Virgil Jackson, owner of the Comfort Suites Riverfront in Vidalia Louisiana gave all four us free rooms for our nights stay.  We not only had a beautiful room overlooking the Mississippi river, but it was free.  I have to say, it is not about getting the room free that is so meaningful to us, it is the gesture of support for what we are doing and the unsolicited generosity from a person who has only met us one time that I is most touching.  We were amazed by Mr. Jackson’s kindness.

We proceeded to go to breakfast at the Comfort Suites and one of the electricians working on the loss of power from the recent storm walked over to us and gave us $10.00 toward our project.  Again, it is extremely touching to see so many people from all of the states we have traveled that have a heart and have shared it with us for the children.  So many people commend us for what we are doing; however, we could never do what we are doing without the help of people.  I am a true believer that when you give, you get so much more in return.  Obviously, you don’t give to get, but it is inevitable that you receive something so much more special when you focus your efforts on doing what is best for someone in need, no mater what it is.

Our bike ride went well again today in spite of new challenges.   We traveled from Natchez Mississippi to Baton Rouge Louisiana.  We started the first leg of our ride strong and completed thirty six miles.  Then we ran into a major traffic back-up due to construction.  We were stopped dead for 40 minutes and could not ride our defined route for the next 10 miles because of the construction and the danger of riding with minimal space on the side of the rode.  Therefore, we began our route 10 miles down the road and biked and extra 10 miles at the end of the day.  This situation is reflective of what our riders have learned by playing football and other sports throughout our lives.  We recognize that we are going to be faced with challenges no matter what situation we are in, however, we also know that it isn’t the end of the game if something gets in your way.  One of the exceptional qualities that I value in our bike team is that we adapt to challenges and find a way to get back on track and keep moving toward our goal.  I guess you could say that when we get knocked off track and are faced with wind, thunderstorms, construction, etc. we don’t get frazzled, we get focused and find another way to get right back on track.  I appreciate that quality in our riders and want you to know that MSU coaches, players, and tradition have been the key contributor to our developing that skill.  

We did have some additional challenges today that are worth noting.  Eljay Bowron had his first flat tire.   We had to ride our bikes down the right side of a former freeway that had a lot of debris from the recent storm, gravel, glass, etc. on it which caused the flat.  Coach Comar worked with Eljay to get his tire fixed and he will be ready to ride in the morning.  Joe DeLamielleure on the other hand lost his bike gloves twice and probably would have lost them a third time, if he didn’t lose them for good the second time.  Joe set his gloves on the suburban vehicle to dry, and then he drove off and they fell in the road.  Joe and I found the gloves the first time.  Approximately one hour later, Joe did the same thing and lost the gloves for good the second time.  I think if we do this bike ride again, it will be valuable to bring everything in triplicate for Joe to ensure that he maintains a full bike ride outfit for the entire trip.

We are now in Baton Rouge Louisiana.  The weather in beautiful and we are looking forward to a restful evening getting prepared for Day # 12. 

The following are pictures from May 5 which include the bridge between Mississippi and Vidalia Louisiana, the terrible construction hold up, the view of the Mississippi River from my room, an example of the hills we ride, and our inmates pick up van.  We are having fun along the way.