89 Miles to Hammond, LA .....

It was 36 degrees when we started our ride this morning. Some of the women had already mailed cold-weather clothes home and had no tights or long-fingered gloves. BRRRRR ...... it did warm up quickly, though, and at about 30 miles, I was able to shed a layer of clothes.

I ended up riding quite a bit by myself today, which I don't like. I get nervous about missing a turn when it's been a long time since I've seen another rider. Unfortunately, many of the women like to ride alone and don't feel comfortable in a pace line. One woman told me today that if someone is behind her, they should be at least 10 car lengths back or she feels uncomfortable.

I saw a peacock today. I think that's the first peacock I've seen that wasn't in a zoo.

My roommate tonight is Karen from Rochester, NY. She is married to a German man and lived in Germany for 28 years. She has done a lot of bicycle touring throughout Europe. For years, she taught English to foreign adults both in Germany and the USA.