DAY 35 July 23, 2010

We have put on major miles in the past several days. We had survived our time in Mississippi and now we're heading into the homestretch. For those of you that have been reading this Blog, you know that I have not been short on words when writing, adding to the Blog. Yesterday, I was totally fed up and frustrated with Mississippi. We had belligerent store owners, disrespectful drivers, rude people and roads unsafe for cyclists(even the bicycle paths, like in the picture were unsafe. Often times ending with NO shoulder to ride on). Everyone was in a hurry and really not going anywhere. I decided to write very little yesterday and process what to say. I am not going to elaborate on DAY 33 at all. It is over but not forgotten.

The picture of the Black River is where U.S.Grant defeated the Confederate army to make his way to Vicksburg, MS and capture 9,000 Confederate soldiers after a siege of the city for 44days. The scenery remains agricultural into Alabama. We are avoiding all large cities to stay clear of major traffic areas.

The CDC ranks Alabama as the 2nd heaviest state with 30.3 % of the population having a BMI of over 30. The state has decided to give state employees a lose weight or pay ultimatum. The state employees (~40,000) have a year to lose weight or start paying $25 a month toward their usually free plan. The Alabama program will go by the body mass index chart — anyone with a BMI over 35 will be charged.

We are both anxious to get to Home Sweet Home vs. Sweet Home Alabama!