XC Run Day 10

It was a day for motorcycle maintenance.

Nothin' wrong with the 'scoot, but Nick went back to his duty station last night, Stephanie was working and Sofia was at Nanny's -- so I went through and turned some wrenches, making sure everything was tight, things were not going to fall all over the road, tires were wearing evenly, simple stuff. Even put that permanent fix on the saddlebags that ol' West Texas boy suggested. Expensive, though. Hardware was $2.97 at Home Depot and the shoelaces a dollar fifty seven at Wal-Mart.

Like the way that ol' boy thinks.

Rain came through early. Seems that pesky depression in the Gulf changed its mind and went back out. Sent us a pretty good present at about 0600, but decided to save the best for tomorrow. Musta heard I decided that was my "window".

Gonna be a wet one. A real wet one like only the South Coast can get. So, with great trepidation I hied myself down to the Harley dealership to finish up my rain gear. That stuff's expensive and even though I had just a few small items to get, I'd priced them back home and decided to wait. Didn't even expect to be able to get it -- I ain't exactly John Wayne, ya see... Forgot that: A.) I wasn't in California any more, Toto and; B.) I'm in Cajun country -- most of us are not exactly John Wayne. So I got what I needed for less than half of what it would have cost back home and it actually fits.

Works for me.

Spent the rest of the day reminiscing as I toured Lafayette and Breaux Bridge. Pont Breaux got its name 'cause there was a bridge build by the Breaux family over Bayou Teche. Simple enough, but then we're a simple people. Upon meeting you a Cajun is really only interested in the answers to three questions: Who's y'Mama; are you Catholic and can you make a roux?

It's a real (as much as one can be nowadays) Cajun town. As in: little town, big church (remember question #2? There may be a test).

One of the things I had forgotten though, is that it is a tourist town. Has it jacked up a bit -- but the folks here do a pretty good job of keeping it from getting too far away from real. Still runs kind of slow and easy around here like the bayou under that bridge.

Finally it was time to "pass by Stephanie's house" (it's a Cajun thing) and have a farewell dinner with her and  Sofia. Mais, dat girl can cook, Cher. Bittersweet. It was a wonderful visit.

Time tonight, now, to get the gear ready for rain. Check the seal on plastic bags, do some repacking for the wet, get things in order. Nobody teaches you to get ready for being out in bad weather like the services that have ground troops. The Army and Marines. Thanks, Uncle Sammy. My gear will be squared away and dry.

So, "Once more into the breach, dear friends...". It's Willy Nelson time. Slow going, I'll bet. I'm an old man now and I don't run as hard in the wet as I used to.

Talk to you tomorrow, hopefully around Pensacola under clear skies. And if they're not -- heck "If it ain't rainin', ya' ain't trainin'".

Hooah...