(Kim's Perspective)
We had a short travel day so we took our sweet time with our
morning routine of coffee and dog walks. We had taken advantage of the lull in the storm last night and had loaded the bikes in the truck so if we had to evacuate the campsite, the only thing we'd have to leave behind was the trailer. The ONLY thing. . Anyway, we were surprised by how clean the bikes got from the hours of torrential rain and wind. Even the undersides received a nice rinsing. ;)
We left the campsite around 12:00 and detoured to the Sears in Tupelo
for a replacement battery for the trailer.
Much to our dismay, the battery got cooked from some power surges during
the storm. We installed it in the
parking lot like any fine redneck trailer trash folks would, and off we were to
our new destination - William Bankhead National Forest in Northwestern
Alabama. Yeeeehaaaaw!
We set up camp in the Corinth Campground (one of four
campgrounds in the NF) and picked the most awesome (developed) campsite ever. Stanley, Idaho still holds the record for
best dispersed camping site ever - and likely always will - until we make it to
Alaska. J Anyway, THIS particular campsite was HUGE and
absolutely perfect for camper, truck, bikes, dogs, and people.
We were able to get set up just before a storm moved
in. We made the most of it and chilled
for a bit under the awning and enjoyed the sound and the smell of the
rain.
After the storm passed, Bill was
anxious to get on the bikes - if only to ride around the park. We wiped the rain off the saddles, popped on
our helmets, and investigated the park and all of the campground loops. We weren't out long since another storm cloud
rolled in and started dropping rain drops the size of quarters. Ouch. That’s what I get for not wearing all my
gear. Yeah, I know - ATGATT - but I
justified it by the fact that the park speed limit was 20 mph and I ride my
bicycle that fast wearing a Styrofoam helmet, a short sleeve jersey and padded
mid-thigh length spandex biking shorts. I
figure, based on my personal history, I’m far more likely to shred my body in a
mountain bike wreck than by taking a spill on the MC while riding without gear
at 20 mph in a nearly vacant NF campground. Knock on wood. Risk assessed. Risk assumed. We returned to the trailer, made some dinner,
chilled, and discussed our riding plans for the next day. We were both very excited to see what the day
would have in store.
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