When the paved roads offered up gravel, I knew I was in the National Forest. It had rained hard the night before and I was presented with a "floating road". The surface was dry but there was goo underneath. If I'd been on the DL650, I'd just proceded carefully. Mz.Guzzi emitted a big backfire and I knew she was not happy with the thought of slipping and slidding along. Nor was I. I knew if this trip was going to satisfy, I'd have to get with the program. I believe in choosing my battles and and this one had little future. It was wet and going downhill. I did not want to go down and be wet.
    The next road was a pleasure. The National Forest guys are Kings of Gravel Road Perfection. There wasn't a bump or hole to be found.
If you ride Mississippi, this is common.
  This was on Something Bridge Road. I really like it when a road name  offers up a potential Point of Interest.
Nothing was left of the bridge except some pilings and cement blocks. What had it connected?
Sometimes "it" all comes together. This was one of those times.
The road opened up and left the river.
Old houses and
old cars were the new treat.
Maybe a 1964 Studebacker. The grill was almost Mercedes in appearance.
An Imperial?  Batman needs to pick up on this one.
   I couldn't believe it. I sat for 20 minutes waiting for a culvert to be installed. I guess that's the way they keep the roads in such good condition.
    I asked Mz.Guzzi if she would venture a little off road adventure. She stalled and would not restart until I promised that I was justa-joking.
    By the way, the Love Bugs, no, not Volkswagons, were flying thickly.
    The foreman/owner came up in his pickup. We discussed the day and the bugs. His theory was that the hurricane of a year ago had displaced them from Louisiana, depositing "them swamp bugs"  in his fair state. I told him I had brought them. A chuckle ensued.
     He had a talk with the Crew-Molasses and they picked up the pace and goterdone cause, "That fella needs to get to the other side".
     The "other side" theme was repeating. Spooky. I was on Firetower Road, purposely.  When you see a road named "Firetower", it goes to the highest accessible area cuzz that's the best place to see all the trees in a forest.. Yea, Fred, I have to explain that to some people.  Please, no notes. 
     I was cresting the Homochitto Uplands. It had the feel of high New Mexico, I flashed.