Okay, it wasn’t really Hollywood, but it sure was Media Day for the team. While the team finished packing the RV to depart Sheffield, Alabama, Dr. Feelgood [Charlie] was giving a telephonic interview to the Madison County Herald, a mere warm-up for the television interview he gave his hometown station following another (now) famous Roy Picnic at the Trace’s Tupelo Welcome Center. Yep, that’s right, Dr. Feelgood made the 10:00 evening news, accompanied by some nice footage of the entire team riding in a pace line. Ol’ Roy had spread out another Newk’s feast (if you haven’t tried their brownies, you don’t know what you are missing) for the team, but before we could enjoy it the crew had to give another interview, this time to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (on page A2 in today's paper). [Dr. Feelgood was unanimously elected Team Press Secretary today; please direct all questions and press requests to him. Miss 103 is exempted; they booked a Wednesday morning interview with King Air before this ship set sail.]
Enough of the Hollywood thing. They don’t call Mississippi the Hospitality State for nothing. When we cruised into the Trace’s Tupelo Welcome Center around 1:00, you would have thought Mayberry was throwing a parade for Sheriff Taylor. The aforementioned Daily Journal photographer was snapping pictures and the hometown boys’ families lined the roadway to welcome the team to the All-American City. Following a couple of interviews, the team enjoyed the Newk’s dinner on the grounds.
It is good to be home in Mississippi. As we headed south out of the All-American City, Dr. Feelgood and Ray Charles pedaled their bikes down memory lane. Memory lane includes the creek where, as high school boys, Feelgood and Ray did what high school boys do, the tract where Dr. Feelgood used to ride a tractor sitting on his granddaddy’s lap, and the mud pit where Dr. Feelgood stuck his 1980 Chevrolet in the mud.
Lest there be any doubt, we knew we were in Mississippi when Dr. Feelgood’s and Ray Charles’ moms spread out homemade dishes that included all the fixin’s – and two homemade desserts. We’re pedaling lots of miles and burning lots of calories, but these Mississippi moms are not letting the tanks get empty.
Tomorrow the team heads to French Camp, and beds in the Greater Kilmichael area. Internet does not reach tomorrow’s venue, but the Stage Four post will arrive later Thursday.
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4 comments:
Hey Guys, great job! Keep it up. Great cause too..think i'll donate.
Kent Jordan
(classmate of Stu/Charlie (THS) and Joel (MSU-RUF).
I am loving reading the blogs to keep up with y'all!! Tell Stu, he has put me to shame. . . my relaxing vacations are paling in comparison to what y'all are doing!! So proud of you all!
"Even if you stunk like a skunk, i'd still want to be around you!" I am so proud of ya'll! your on the last leg! Wished ya'll would have stopped a little closer to starkville! Ya'll are just warming up, ya'll could bike for days!!! Ya'll are all CHAMPIONS!!!
This trip sure sounds rough! I know how you feel, I had to mow my backyard today, well half of it, I gotta little tired right after I started. Those zero turn radius mowers are hard to turn sometimes.
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