First let me say that riding across Louisiana on the backroads is a most pleasurable experience. The roads are tree lined and you find yourself in the cool shade most on the time. The curves are long and sweeping and there is hardly any traffic. The sad thing is that I did not find one single Mom & Pop Café the entire trip across the whole state!
What happened to all the small town café’s in Louisiana? I hate to eat at the major chains that crowd the cities of our nation. There food is OK and fast and cheap, but the atmosphere is rushed loud and indifferent. In Texas you will find at least one and most times two cafes in every other small town you pass through. Something is lost that if we aren’t carful will become just a fond memory. So next time you get the chance, support your small town café and tell them the Demonmaster sent ya!
Starving and needing to stretch my legs I came rolling into Poplarville, Mississippi and what do you think was the first thing I saw? That’s right, a small family owned café!
Mississippi seem a very short run, after leaving Louisiana at Bogalusa on 26, the next thing I knew I was in Biloxi and headed to Dolores’ aunt Mary Ellen’s and all her family. I am so sorry that I did not take any pictures during my stay. When I arrived with one of the warmest welcomes I have ever experienced I was worn out from the sun beating down on me and took a nap. Then we sat a talk about Dolores as a child and other stories about the family and before you know it we were on our why to her daughter Susan’s house as they had planned a dinner to meet me. You see this was the first time I got to meet Dolores’ family beyond her mother and sons.
Then on my return to Mary Ellen’s I discovered I had an electrical problem, no trailer lights and the power to my Garmin was out. Well I was stuffed from dinner and just too tired to deal with it that night so off to bed I went, and I would figure it out in the morning!
Come morning and after dismantling most of the bike I discovered the problem, one of the ground wires to the battery had broke, so a quick run to the parts store and everything was back on track and I said my goodbyes and headed off to see my daughter and grandkids in Florida.
I just wanted to say a Big Thank You to everyone I met while visiting there in Mississippi ya’ll were the best. And I hope to see ya’ll again soon.
From somewhere on the backroads,
The Demonmaster
Your trip is sounding eventful Rick. I know what you mean about small cafes, they are sadly also disappearing here in the UK. We’re lucky though as we have a great local one here in Cornwall called ‘Smoky-Joes Cafe & Truck Stop’, you’d love it.
You must have enjoyed the quite roads through Louisiana, nothing better for a bike. I’m glad for you that you’ve finally met Dolores’s extended family. It will comfort you to talk to people who really knew her & to walk where she visited growing up….
Have a safe journey to your daughter & enjoy being with your grandkids….Hugs Chrissy x
Rick,
We travel a lot and we always treasure finding great little cafes. We’ve learned to ignore how the building looks on the outside and watch for long lines of locals. This system has never failed us. I’m glad you’re off to a safe and interesting start.
Best,
Robin