Day 32: Lumberton to DeRidder, LA (82 miles) April 16

Definition of eternity=cycling across Texas! I made it! Farewell Lone Star State. Hello Louisiana!

Today’s ride started with cloudy skies and lots of humidity. It was a usual ride until we hit Kirbyville for their annual Magnolia Festival and parade held the third weekend in April. Oh boy, were we in for a treat! This town is second only to Mayberry R.F.D. and it was on our route!

For about 20 minutes we watched the high school marching band, baseball teams, soccer teams, and every flavor of "Miss Kirbyville" you can imagine. Miss Kirbyville, Little Miss Kirbyville, Teen Miss Kirbyville, Baby Miss Kirbyville, and on, and on. No Mr. Kirbyville, and no Senior Miss Kirbyville.

Every float had someone throwing handfuls of candy at the parade watchers. I scored a Snickers bar, a Tootsie Roll Pop, and miscellaneous hard candy. I donated all of it to the SAG vehicle.

Dustin Rutherford, the principal of the Kirbyville Elementary School, walked up to us and was nice enough to talk a little about the town, and the people we were seeing in the parade. His daughter was a former Miss Kirbyville.

Everyone, especially the kids, knew Mr. Rutherford. All the kids saved a handful of candy just to throw directly at him. He congratulated us on our efforts so far on our cross country tour and he wished us well.

About 20 miles later, we crossed into Louisiana. Most of us were not sorry to leave Texas in the rear view mirror. We also got the impression that most of Texas (with the exception of the Austin area) was just as happy to see 24 women on bicycles leave the state.

As much fun as the parade was, and as happy as we were to finally reach Louisiana, the best part of the day was a light but persistent tailwind.

We have 15 more riding days left, and it's time to start thinking about how bikes will be shipped home from Florida. WomanTours makes arrangements with a local bike shop in St Augustine where they pack and ship the bikes. Lucky for me, I won‘t be flying home so my bike can stay with me.

Louisiana at last!

Miss Kirbyville 👑