Lots of things to like about today.  Despite the heat, a nearly constant tailwind made it possible to ride fast enough to feel comfortable.  I did not expect much in the way of scenery so decided to take a photo of the road ahead every 10 miles.  These were "no hands" shots to keep it interesting.  Note how different was the scenery every 10 miles :)

Mile 10


 

Mile 20

 

 Mile 30 (The vehicle in my lane was a large slow moving
loader. I was glad he pulled out in front of me.

After a mile, he was barely a half mile ahead of me) 

 

Mile 40

 

Mile 50



Fortunately, there were a couple of diversions along the way once I got past Rosedale.  Around mile 45 I saw evidence I was near the river in marshes along the road.

 

 Shortly past mile 50, the road bent and I was treated to a view of Lake Bolivar.  Mostly it was glimpses between the trees but I found a boat landing where I could get a good view.

 

Of course there was also no escaping the Kudzu and its formation of weird topiaries.

 

 

I was about to snap my Mile 60 photo when I saw a sign for the Winterville Mounds Museum. 

 

 

Cathy was already there enjoying the air conditioning and the informative docent. Unlike the effigy mounds in Iowa, these are not burial mounds but mounds created for ceremonial purposes. It is a large, peaceful site where I person can explore and learn much about the prehistoric people of the region.  Here is a small sample.

As you can see below, the mounds themselves are not very spectacular

 

The grounds include a small pond with a bridge.

 

While standing on the bridge, I was able to get a shot of one of the local denizens. I'm disappointed the colors on his shell did not come through in the low light.

 

Once we arrived at our hotel in Greenville we got a pleasant surprise.  Another cyclist pulled in and I recognized him as someone I saw leaving Clarksdale an hour or more before we did.  Scott joined us for dinner and we made plans to carry his gear tomorrow so that he and I can ride together.

 

At the advice of Miles and Leslie, the cyclists we met earlier, we ate at Doe's Eat Place.  I'm not sure what was better--the food or the ambience.  We certainly felt like we were in a local treasure.

 

 

 

The scene as we entered the front door

 

 

In the dining room

 

Beer was 'serve yourself' in a cooler with the opener fastened to a box.  There must have been at least 40 varieties of bottled beer.  It was a great way to end the day.

 

 

 

Data (note the elevation gain and loss over nearly 70 miles)