Day 37 Kountz to DeRidder, LA

We got quite a surprise this am when we stepped outside. It was COLD. Since my arm warmers and rain jacket live in my bike bag, I put them on. It was noon before I shed the jacket because the constant wind kept me cool. Today we had good and bad roads, sometimes a shoulder, somethimes not. Went thru villages such as Silsbee, Fred, Spurger, Mount Union, Kirbyville, Bleakwood and Bon Wier. Had lunch in Kirbyville at Elijah's - a very nice and popular lunch spot. Baked potatoes and corn chowder were the favored selections by our group of 10. . . Had 40 miles to ride after lunch and they were grueling. I fell way behind due to the strong headwind. No matter, this is not a race. At mile 68 we officially left Texas!! Lots of pictures were taken at the TX state sign. It's actually a concrete statue of the state. There had been no such sign as we entered TX on Easter Morning, March 23 on the way from Las Cruces NM to El Paso, TX. After the photo session, we crossed the Sabine River and were then in LA. Tonight, therefore, we'll celebrate crossing a state line with Michelle's famous Margaritas. . . There was a car wreck going into De Ridder and happened quite close to some of our cyclists. They are fine altho a little shaken. One wonders if the driver was watching them and not paying attention when he rammed another car. . . Linda from last year's tour brought gumbo, rice and pralines to go with our supper tonight - really good gumbo, too, with lots of shrimp, pork and sausage. Linda also had barbeque pork sandwiches (no more TX brisket) and slaw and pecan pie. We truly had a wonderful southern/LA dinner. Afterwards, Michelle accompanied herself on her guitar and sang a song that she wrote 6 years ago on the 90 mile ride we did today. JESUS LOVES ME BUT DOGS STILL BITE. . . We had lots of dogs chase us today. . . The Country Inn leaves lots to be desired. The door frame is completely away from the wall of one of our rooms. . . The head winds really tired me out today and I've got another long day tomorrow. . .