Days 30 and 31 DeRitter, Silsbee,Washington to St. Francisville

Hi yall, we are having trouble keeping track of where we've been. Yesterday marked a month since we left home for our selfish trip of self discovery... We are still doing great and enjoying every moment..

Washington was beautiful. We were greeted by a whirlwind of true Southern Belle. Our hostess at the B&B we stayed at was sooo nice...She had an amazing house with two cottages outside...One was circa 1800's that she bought and had moved. The other was a little guest house on the property. It was like a secret enchanted garden..We had a really fun night there

We set off early for New Rhodes. Had quite an exciting ride. Not as fast as yesterdays.. The roads were rough and not so smooth. So, we had to work a little harder at each stroke. Went across the Atachafalaya River Bridge. That was amazing. Then we had a little excitement. We saw a big bulk ahead. . We got closer and it was an Aligator. About 3-4 foot long. We stopped and took our pictures. Started up again. A few miles down, we see another one just peeking our from the shrubs on the shoulder. We are riding a little more causiouly when riding on the shoulder now. Got caught in a little rain, but it just cooled us off. The humidity is very high. So when we stop if gets really hot. Now the headwind is welcomed. ..We arrived in New Rhodes, only to find very limited lodging and had to take the St. Francisville ferry into town. We found the St. Francisville Inn. Very old and very charming. We have been very lucky most of the time. Finding great places to stay..Although, we have had a couple of real doozies, I must add...

Every ride seems to get easier. We are waking up with no pains and full of energy. So, something is happening to these two old Biker Chicks. I think we are getting very fit...But we are putting in some very long days at the office....

We are meeting some fine people along the way..Today we stopped in a little general store. Chatman's Grocery. Since green doors are not an option for me anymore,with all the swampland and snakes. (Lola aka: camel bladder seldom has to go) We get greeted by several locals. Saw Joe and the car with the bike rack and signs that say watch for cyclists ahead They sent him back to the store. They wanted us to sign their book and tell them about us. And they wanted our picture. When I had asked if they had bananas , the very nice man that sent Joe back. Told me, I know where theres a whole bunch. When we left , they left just ahead of us. And soon they caught up to us and caught Joe. They did a banana hand off without getting out of their cars. Cool!!! And really nice and cool people.

Kathy, we are sooo excited that you will be joining us in Tallahassee.

My son Jaime arrives Wed. 6th, he will come to the Plantation where we will be. The Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, LA and he will SAG with Joe into NawLens, where we will meet the rest of The Serrato Clan.. We will take a few days off . I can't wait to be with my family....

Tailwinds,

Malena

Pic's: The Malena Five-O Biker Chicks

Our little Aligator friend

The Atachafalaya Bridge