Southern Hospitality...

Bobo and his wife, Stacey from Morton (Branch), MS. Some of the nicest hosts we have had ALL trip. A BIG shout out to Branch Baptist Church!!!

Some idiot left the keys running in this for Chris to start and all of us to jump in and take ridiculous pictures.

The driver has many roles besides driving, buying ice and unpacking: they are also the only piece of cotton available to dry off sweat-stained sunglasses! Thanks Rhino!

Not only did Doug WIN the yellow jersey (pillow) today, but he found one on the side of the road. We wanted to keep it, but SOME people (um, everyone else) said we couldn't. Boo!

Welcome to ALABAMA! 

And welcome our newest and last extended-stage rider, Jenny! From VA! Go Jenny!

Hanging out and playing games with the youth at Forest Hills Baptist in Linden, AL.

So not only has our group completely lost sanity, but we also seem to have lost our chore and other responsibilities too. We were originally set-up into three organized and succinct rotating groups that switched every Saturday. Now no one knows what group he/she is on, but things still get done. Blogging has also been at a standstill since we haven't had internet and have been waaaaaaay busy hanging out with local folks and loving the heat and humidity down in the south so much that we don't get to our destinations until dark. But it still gets done. And after relaying this realization to Ryan, our old/wise leader one minute and out-of-control jokester the next, he replied, "Oh, well, I hope someone takes care of the housing crisis, too." So in more words than I needed to say (as usual) here's my take on the hospitable day.

We woke up early to head over to the Habitat for Humanity Meridian/Lauderdale Affiliate for an amazing breakfast of eggs, bacon, coffee (!!), and pre-buttered biscuits (Ryan had 6). Mary and Fonda Rush prepared a wonderful background for Habitat's story there and while there was a little bit of  "ummm, aren't you now the bad guy?" awkwardness, we all realized that we are brothers and sisters on a similar mission to eliminate poverty housing. And that was a good thing to share with one another. 

After breakfast we went to church at Central Methodist Church around 5th Ave. in Meridian where we worshipped with the congregation there during an awesome contemporary story, with a sermon that focused on the mustard seed parable--a little seed, grows into a mighty tree/bush/shrub/whatever. The message in short: have your faith and service grow like Kudzu (the bubonic plague of plants, as Nate described it to me). 

And then we did what we're supposed to and cycled our way across the state line to Alabama the beautiful!! We had a pretty short day (64 miles), with some trouble (come meet TONY!!!!! and the tale of the cursed back wheel!) and met our awesome host, Jessica--the youth pastor at Forest Hills Baptist Church, at a Papas Foods store. (Did we bypass the Mama's?!) Jessica helped us shower and invited some of us to participate in yet another wonderful worship service. This is where I got my first dose of Southern Hospitality. I got hugged. Like by 40 ladies over the age of 60. Everyone wanted to hug us, and pray for us, and congratulate us. It was a really warm feelings--sort of like the humidity down here...all encompassing. 

We got to hang out with the youth group after all the service while our wonderful meal was being prepared. We played "wah" and the flip-cup/make-music game, and another game Aaron taught us. I don't think I've played this much since, um, yesterday. After dinner we heard tales of Alabama/Auburn rivalry and Alabama history. Between the people so far and the big, smooth shoulders we've encountered I think I might want to come back here sometime real soon. Seriously! Southern Hospitality is definitely something that I'll hold onto after the trip is over. 

Hopefully I'll get to hold onto my pillow as well, which Doug has, yet again, after winning the first stage of the real Tour de Pillow (he now has to ride and complete each day he wishes to have the pillow!). Apparently his wife thinks he's crazy, but I think it keeps things, well, interesting. 

Live from Alabama: the place to be!