It was a short day on the road for us today.  After several days of pretty hilly riding, our legs needed a break.  So at breakfast this morning we called Perry and Lep Templeton who offer shelter, food, rest, and unbelievable hospitality to traveling cyclists at their Jackson, LA home.   Perry answered the phone to tell us that we were very welcome to spend the night, and gave us specific directions on roads to take.  It's the first time we've been 'off route', but Perry was very firm in her directions.

Her route put us on LA Hwy 10,  a route with a bit more traffic,  but spacious shoulders.  What a change from the day before!

We still were struggling through some steep short climbs when we stopped at the Red Boots Deli in Clinton for lunch.  The restaurant was staffed by three charming ladies and full of patrons who were friendly and talkative.  Our lunch was delicious and we tarried for a bit over coffee to continue conversing.  By the time we left, we were totally refreshed and seemed to have new legs.

The next 15 miles into our destination in Jackson flew by and soon we arrived to find a cyclist's haven.  The Templetons have built a special area for cyclists that includes a deck under a canopy,  an enclosed outdoor shower, and our own private bathroom.   Perry is a gregarious and amazing woman who up holsters furniture professionally, built and repairs bikes for fun, cooks a mean meal and with her husband Lep have built a beautiful home from lumber salvaged from old buildings.

From the moment we met she's been a flurry of activity, dispensing advice and wisdom ranging from vintage bicycles to the proper way to inflate high end sleeping pads.

Perry and Lep have hosted thousands of touring cyclists over the years, lending a helping hand to those in need and gracious hospitality to all who stop to spend the night here.  It's been a wonderful evening.

We've met another touring cyclist today.  David Leroy is a young Frenchman who is just starting to tour by bike.  He left New Orleans three days ago with the intention of learning to tour so he and his girlfriend can tour Central America later this year.  She already tours, this is his first time. He'll be riding out with us in the morning as we cross the Mississippi River at New Roads.

Not sure where we'll be staying tomorrow,  but we'll be finishing the second of the seven mapsets and starting the third.

We both feel great and any self doubts we may have been carrying are easing as the miles go rolling by.