Day 39: Tuesday 04/12/16, St. Francisville, LA to Franklinton, LA

Today's 87 mile ride was full of small hills; however, those small hills totaled over 2600 feet of climbing.

Day 39 distance: 87 miles

Total miles:  2104 miles

Elevation gain: 2629 feet

Map of today's ride:

Let's close the subject of my flu. The day off yesterday helped tremendously. I am getting most of my appetite back and felt I was at 80% strength during today's ride. Beth, the SAG member who had taken care of me when I was ill, came down with a severe case of it a couple days ago. She is recovering slowly after being given a shot by a doctor and an IV for fluids. It is a nasty flu that a total of six coasters have contacted.

We woke up to lightening, thunder, and rain showers early this morning. More rain was forecast so almost everyone left camp prepared for rain that did not come, at least during the ride. It still is dark and cloudy late this afternoon, and I expect there will be more rain coming.

The roads were good today but the route was filled with many small hills that totaled over 2600 feet of climbing. I took a total of three pictures today as the scenery continues to be very similar ever since we crossed to the east side of the Mississippi River.

The flowers have not been very abundant in Louisiana compared to Texas, but this pasture was filled with a small yellow daisy.

Another river crossing.

At every location we arrive for a night's stay, the Wolf Pack has a whiteboard sign prepared with information we coasters would ask if not available on the whiteboard. The above information was waiting for us today. Note the final asterisk: "*Tentfield is swampy and has fire ant hills, watch your step!"  Hmm. We are staying in the gym of Hillcrest Baptist Church tonight in Franklinton, Louisiana. Whenever we stay in a gym where tents can be set up, coasters are given an option of tenting if they desire. There is a core of coasters who usually take the tent option. I'm not sure how they are going to feel about their choice tonight, knowing it is probably going to rain, along with the potential of being flooded, and then devoured by fire ants!

Tonight's menu. I think I am up to trying everything on it tonight!