« Eastward Distraction Part 2 – Day One | Home | Eastward Distraction Part 2 – Day Three »

Eastward Distraction Part 2 – Day Two

By Thom | June 14, 2008

Neosho MS to Natchitoches LA – 530 miles

Day two started out in a hurry… Katie called me around 6 am before she left for work. I crawled out of the tent and found that I was staring straight into an approaching thunderstorm. 20 minutes later I was packed up and on the road escaping all but a few rain drops. At one gas stop I found that my lower part of the fairing had plastic welded itself to my hot muffler. I didn’t lose it, but it did get significantly lighter – maybe it was my bike saying that I was a little heavy.

Most of the rest of the day was spent dodging the rain, but I never really got too wet. I was successful at collecting several stamps from one spot.It was at Hot Springs National Park (located in the boyhood home of President Bill Clinton) where I toured the old bath house – it did look inviting after yesterday’s long day. Only a few more stamps to go! The day only got hotter and more humid as I went south (imagine that).

I hit Natchitoches around 7 p.m. and decided I would stay the night and find a place to camp. The campsite that I found was around 20 miles away and, the best part, it was free! I did spent most of the night tossing and turning because of the heat/humidity. I did manage to park myself under and nice awning so I could leave the tent fly off and enjoy the “cool night air.” The only other problem I had was the traffic that was on this little road that was screaming by all night long.

Bath house ceiling