HOMESward-Bound: The South, my take-aways

Jesus is everywhere. If the "Jesus is coming soon!" signs along the highway or all of the "May the good Lord bless your souls" we get from many kind folks didn't already make me feel that "Jesus" is everywhere down here, the entrance sign Claudesville, Oklahoma took care of that: "Jesus is Lord! Welcome to Claudesville." During one thunderstorm, a number of my teammates sought cover in a McDonald's. Dressed in dripping wet spandex, they quickly attracted attention. After explaining our journey and cause, a woman in the McDonald's asked if she could pray for them. When they responded yes, a group prayer circle ensued in the McDonald's customers and employees together hand in hand!

In case you can't read it, the license plate says, "Jesus Chris is the Answer." I have seen many of these.

It is really HOT down here. I think this picture says it all.

Southern hospitality is real. The generosity of the hosts who have graciously welcomed (and often fed) 27 sweaty (and hungry) riders into their churches, gyms, and even homes has really blown us away. One of our favorite hosts thus far, Sally in Dallas, sums up what we have found Southern hospitality to mean. Sally opened up her entire house (including her own bed!) to our team for 3 days while her and her husband took to their RV. She greeted us upon arrival with a pool, hot tub, and an endless supply of milkshakes and beer. She lent us her cars to check out the area on our own and even paid for us to spend an afternoon at a water park. Aside from all of the material comforts she spoiled us with, I think most of team would agree her warm and friendly nature really made us feel quite at home.

The Over-21ers being spoiled in Dallas.

Another southern home that kindly opened their doors to our team in Elm Grove, Louisiana. Jumping in that lake after a 90 mile ride through southern heat...amazing.

Southern cookin' = awesome. Hand in hand with the southern hospitality has come amazing southern cuisine including shrimp boils, sweet tea, pulled pork, and (my personal favorite) homemade biscuits. The food is especially appreciated given the enormity of the cyclist appetite.

Shrimp boil dinner provided by a host.

Awesome start to a ride day provide by a host including sweet potato biscuits and pulled pork egg casserole.

MMmmm...biscuits straight out of the oven.

I'm not in California anymore. Conservatism is no secret. I will just highlight two encounters: 1. When wrapping up a conversation with two older men about our trip one says, "Can I ask y'all a question? What do you think about the shape of the country?" and the other cuts in, "Don't ask them that! You know who put Obama in the White House in the first place...them college kids!" 2. When explaining to a man at a gas station what we are doing, his first question is, "Well where are your husbands?" When my friend (with very short hair) responded that she doesn't have one, he says, "Is it the hair?" (I guess this is more traditionalism, but a good story nonetheless).

Gun culture. "Y'all should be carrying pistols in those backpacks of urs. There crazy folk out thur," said a very kind older gentlemen I met in a gas station. As I mentioned earlier, Sally in Dallas was kind enough to lend us all of her cars to explore the area. Before her husband handed out the keys I saw him counting on his fingers up to 5 and then turn back to Sally and say, "Gotta get the guns outta the cars before they use 'em." Another host in Texas offered shooting guns in the backyard as a fun activity along the same lines as watching TV or playing board games. When we acted surprised she responded, "Y'all don't shoot guns where ya from? That's inturesting."