July 15, 2003 - Memphis, TN

Forecast: 98 degrees and humid!

Road Condition: For most part smooth. 70E to 30E at Little Rock we switched to 40E, 33Sat Beulah, 70E at Biscoe to Brinkley, 49S to Helena, then 61N into Mississippi and all the way into Memphis.

Fuel: Super Unleaded $1.65

Miles Traveled: Hot Springs, AR to Memphis, TN: 350 (Total: 3,776)

Bike Update: Running good

Road Trip Log Update: Another day of high temperatures and humidity. We were asked by an inquisitive Mississippi local, “Dang! Why ya’all wearing them leather coats in this kinda weather?” Our response was to laugh and tell them that the coats were for protection and not for looks. Bugs and rocks flying into skin at 65 MPH tends to hurt and the leather saves our hide. Our gal Laura Stewart, from Stewart Leathers, (call 1-360-892-6586) has custom made our coats, chaps, and accessories for years. She makes leathers to fit right and to wear well, so that even on the hottest of days protection doesn’t have to be traded in for comfort. As we cruised through the farmlands of Mississippi on our way to Memphis, we were greeted by swarms of Dragonflies. The amazing thing was that we were not even hit by a single one. On occasion a dragonfly would hover then dart to the side as we rode by at 60+ MPH. The flies, crickets, mosquitoes and U.E.B’s (unidentified exploding bugs) however were not as quick and our windshields came in handy. The farmers were busy at work with crops of corn, soybeans, hay, and cotton fields that went on for miles. When riding a motorcycle there are so many scents that show up along the way. The smell of cut grass arrives miles before ever riding past. There will be a drastic change in the air when a river is coming up. Even fresh road construction has a distinct smell of fresh tar. Road kill also has a faint aroma from a distance, which is a good indication to see how long a human being can hold their breath. We crossed the mighty Mississippi River and knew we were getting close to Memphis when the billboards began giving directions to Graceland. As we came into downtown Memphis we could see the neon sign on top of the St. Jude Hospital with the backdrop of the evening sky. We have an early morning appointment to meet with Barbara Howell and to tour the hospital. JillMarie has visited the hospital several times and now it is Tim’s chance to see the beautiful hospital that Danny Thomas built as a shrine to St. Jude. (www.stjude.org) Graceland will have to wait for another day!

Another state along the way
Mississippi sunset
Catching bugs in the Mississippi farmlands
Click to see July 14, 2003	Click to see July 16, 2003