If it's Monday, this must be Louisiana. I'm in Franklinton, LA, my fourth state! Lucky I got to do the skinny parts of AL and MS. I found a broken spoke on my back wheel in Mobile, AL, but it was on Saturday night and there were no bike shops open 'til Monday, so I pushed on. So far, the wheel is holding together. I've got to try and true it up tonight to stop the occasional rubbing. So much for bullet-proof wheels! Today was the first day that I could wear shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, with temps into the seventies. Showers were forecast, but the overcast broke up early in the day and the afternoon has been sunny and breezy. A nice change after having to bundle up in winter gear all across FL, AL and MS. I've been watching the weather channel and have seen the nasty weather you guys up in the northeast are getting. I'm looking forward to doing some cross-country skiing when I get back there, as soon as my knees recover! Came from Wiggins, AL this morning and passed through Bogalusa, LA at around midday. Stopped at the post office there for my first mail drop. Had to wait in line 1/2 hr. to get it, and then another 1/2 hr. to mail a box of unneeded stuff home. Bogalusa has one of the biggest paper mills I've ever seen and there are thousands of acres of clearcuts along the roads I traveled. Also, dozens of logging trucks coming from every direction; coming in full and going out empty. Fun when there are no breakdown lanes! They were all pretty nice, though, either swinging wide or hanging back waiting 'til they could. The most dangerous thing I've encountered so far has been the domestic canine. Got chased by five dogs coming out of a yard on my left just west of Bogalusa. They were all small-to medium mutts, but making very unfriendly noises and expressions. Just as I cleared them, I glimpsed movement to my right rear and here came a 70-lb Rottweiler from a yard on the opposite side of the street, not making a sound but very intently focused. Thank heavens I wasn't going uphill and was able to speed up before he got to me. I keep thinking I should get some pepper spray, but in this case acceleration was my best defense. I'd have had to slow down to deploy a spray and that may have been worse. The problem is worst on the rural roads that Adventure Cycling likes to use. The roads are scenic and less traveled, but some of the country folks down here don't like to fence their yards or tie their dogs. Not much else for excitement today. Gotta go find some good home-cookin' and a place to crash.

Frank