Sorry about the delay in posting up. Made it home Tuesday evening about 5:30 into rush hour and the highest gas prices I have seen yet at $3.65 for a gallon of regular. Anyway, 2,586 miles round trip and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I left Eureka Springs late Sunday morning and headed south through Little Rock and down US65. About 8:00 pm, I passed into northern Louisiana with storm clouds gathering, a very gusty breeze picking up, and darkness descending. So there I was, cruising along, minding my own business on a very deserted stretch of road with one car headed my way. The Escort lit up and I hit the brakes, then the blue lights came on, and I was pleased to make the acquaintance of a very nice sheriff's deputy. He informed me that his radar said I was going 78 in a 55, and asked where I was going in such a hurry. Well, says I, it's been a long day, a storm is coming, it's almost dark, and it's at least 75 miles to the nearest hotel, and there certainly was no issue with traffic on this road. He asks if I can keep the speed down for the next 30 miles until I can get out his parish, and I says that I believe I can, and he let me go with no performance award! Happy Day! So I was real good for about 6 miles and made it down to I-20 and crossed the Mississippi into Vicksburg MS just as the storm caught up with me. Pulled into the first casino I came to since I figured this was my lucky day, being granted a pass by the nice deputy. Made enough money playing craps to pay for a very nice hotel room, a good meal, and gas money.
Headed south again on Monday by way of slight detour of about half of the Natchez Trace and into Biloxi, MS, since I hadn't been through there since the hurricane destroyed the gulf coast. damn. The devastation is still horrendous even though they have cleaned up most of the debris. Lots of empty building foundations and twisted structural steel poking out of the ground. But the trip was going well, so I tried the tables again and won enough money to cover all my trip expenses and my run to Cycle Gadgets! Woo Hoo!
Anyway, now that all is said and done, I had a great time and thank you one and all for another memorable experience.
Jim
Headed east on I-10 Tuesday morning