Last Day in Louisiana - a Hot, Hot 73.1 miles to Van Cleave.

Had a good nights sleep in the tent although it is much warmer now. Have quite a few 'lumps and bumps', not sure if they are heat spots or bites. Probably bites as there are a few red ants and mossies about. Very hot early morning with 73.1 miles to cover today. No jumper, just shorts and t-shirts from the start. I usually feel sluggish for the first 25 miles, but not today, I felt rested and strong. The land has really flattened out now, just long rolling roads winding through lush countryside.  There were no services so Sean parked the van at a halfway point for snacks and to refill water bottles. Thank goodness.  In 73 miles I now have no long stops - today I stopped for a couple of photos and to graze at my packed lunch.  I was ambling along when I suddenly spotted a tortoise in the middle the road.  I thought, I'll need to help that little guy or he will get squashed. By the time I turned round and cycled back he had made it over. Lisa helped one across too.   Tonight we are camping in Van Cleave, Louisiana by a lake and I wish you could hear the racket...as night fell the frogs started croaking...then the ducks started quacking, the noise is unbelievable ....no sleep tonight unless it stops. Tonight we went to a very popular local Cachun Restaurant for our meal. It was wonderful - I had chicken fahitas with salad, guatomole and sour cream. Huge portions.                       Of interest to some, I asked the guys what type of bike they brought on the tour - the 4 ladies have 2 hybrids, 1 tourer and 1 mountain bike. The 8 men have 5 road bikes and 3 tourers. The 2 leaders have tourers. I have been very happy with my hybrid 'Spike the Bike', fairly light weight with a range of gears capable of coping with the rigours of the trip.  Another 70 miler tomorrow and we enter Louisiana...bring it on.....still loving it....although I wish those darned frogs and ducks would SHUT UP.....

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