🚴‍♂️ Day #35 - Gulf Coast Gateway! 🌊

Today felt like a major turning point! The 75-mile journey from Wiggins, Mississippi, to Moss Point, Mississippi wasn't just about covering the miles; it was about catching our first glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico.

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☀️ A Perfect Ride and a Crane's Respite

We set out under clear skies and felt the familiar push of favorable weather that we've been lucky to have recently. The rolling terrain gave us a decent workout with about 1,700 feet of climbing, a manageable task for this stage of the trip.

The mid-day highlight was an absolutely fantastic stop for lunch at the Sandhill Cranes National Reserve. Taking a break surrounded by the quiet nature of the reserve was a real treat.

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🤩 Hello, Gulf Coast!

As the afternoon progressed, the landscape began to change, the air grew subtly different, and then, finally, we rolled into the Pascagoula, Mississippi, area. And there it was—the Gulf of Mexico!

Seeing that vast, shimmering expanse of water for the first time on this leg of the journey was a rewarding moment. It’s a literal and metaphorical milestone. After weeks of inland travel, the ocean's presence signifies a new chapter and confirms we are making real progress down the coast.

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➡️ State Line in Sight

The weather has been our friend, and just like in recent days, the thought of crossing into a new state provided an extra boost of motivation. Tomorrow, we leave Mississippi behind and pedal and ferry our way into Gulf Shores, Alabama! Yes...that is right...we take the Mobile Ferry tomorrow...a bit treat as we finish out the week before our day off!

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What a day! Day #34 of Project 2950 brought the kind of climbing and camaraderie that makes all the mileage worthwhile. We pushed out of Franklinton, Louisiana, and immediately faced a big effort, covering 83 miles and tackling nearly 2,800 feet of climbing over the course of the ride.

The biggest highlight early on was a monumental crossing: we cycled right over the Pearl River and officially rolled into our next state! Hello, Mississippi! 👋

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Fueling Up: Poplarville and The Poo Sloth

After that climb and state-line crossing, the team was famished. We made a beeline for Poplarville and hit the jackpot at Main Street Coffee Co. The lunch was absolutely fantastic—a much-needed fuel stop that hit the spot perfectly.

But the real magic came at the finish line in Wiggins. We celebrated the end of our 83-mile day at the unforgettable Chill Sloth ice cream cafe. Forget your average scoop shop; this place is one-of-a-kind. They have a real sloth living right there! Naturally, I had to try the aptly named Poo Sloth sundae, and let me tell you, it was off the charts. Beyond the incredible treat, it was the sheer uniqueness and cozy, local feel of the shoppe that made the experience truly spectacular. It’s moments like these—discovering the hidden gems and the wonderful people who run them—that make Project 2950 so special.

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The Final Stretch in Mississippi

Tomorrow is our last full day of riding in Mississippi! We'll be turning south and making our final push toward the Gulf Coast as we head to Pascagoula and Moss Point. We’re closing in on the end of a long segment, but every mile is a good one! Stay tuned!

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☀️ Day 33: Louisiana's Best Scenery & Southern Grandeur 🏡

What a phenomenal day in the saddle! Day #33 of Project 2950, taking us from St. Francisville to Franklinton, LA, was a true testament to the beauty of the Pelican State's backroads. We covered 89 miles and climbed a respectable 3,100 feet of elevation, all under perfect, beautiful weather. Honestly, it was some of the best riding scenery we've encountered in recent days.

A Moment of History

The undeniable highlight of the day was encountering a magnificent antebellum era mansion. Its stately presence, set back from the road, was stunning, but what truly took our breath away was the classic, cinematic view of its tree-lined entry. It was a quintessential Southern scene, offering a beautiful contrast to the miles of open road.

These moments of unexpected beauty and history are what make this journey so special.

Camaraderie and the Road Ahead

As always, the camaraderie among the riders continues to be our fuel. There's nothing quite like the shared experience of tackling tough climbs and enjoying fast descents together. The laughs, the encouragement, and the shared milestones make the effort feel effortless.

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Mississippi Bound!

Tomorrow is a significant day! We say farewell to Louisiana and make the crossing into our next state: Mississippi! We'll be riding across the Pearl River just before lunch, a major geographical and symbolic milestone. New state, new roads, and new adventures await!

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Day #32 Crossing the Mighty Divide: Bayou Riding and the Big River

Day #32 brought us one of the most defining moments of our entire journey: crossing the mighty Mississippi River!

Today’s ride from Ville Platte was a beautiful 80-mile pedal through the heart of Louisiana's bayou country. The terrain was incredibly cooperative, living up to the "flat state" stereotype with only about 1,400 feet of gentle climbing. We cruised along, taking in the unique, watery landscape, saw lots of sugar cane (no alligators yet!) and the deep cultural atmosphere that makes this region so special. There's nothing quite like cycling through Spanish moss-draped scenery—it's a truly mesmerizing experience.

The undisputed highlight of the day was rolling into St. Francisville after our final climb over the river. Seeing that incredible span of water and then physically crossing it felt like we hit a new phase of the C2C journey. We are officially East of the Mississippi!

The community of St. Francisville welcomed us with open arms. Everyone we’ve met has been super friendly and welcoming—a true testament to Southern hospitality. Our immediate post-ride reward? A required stop at the Old South Ice Cream Shoppe! There's no better way to celebrate a major milestone than with a scoop (or two) of local, cold goodness.

With a major achievement under our belts and tired legs rested, we’re pumped and ready for our last full day in the great state of Louisiana tomorrow. We have a solid 90-mile jaunt ahead of us, pushing east toward Franklinton, LA.

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🚴 Day 31: Two Thousand Miles/Crawfish Dreams in Louisiana! 🦞

 What a milestone day! We successfully completed the 79-mile stretch from Lumberton, Mississippi, into Ville Platte, Louisiana, and in doing so, we officially crossed the 2,000-mile mark for Project 2950! 🎉

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The Ride: Flat and Fast

Today's ride felt like a welcome change of pace. The terrain was incredibly flat, with only about 1,500 feet of climbing over the whole distance—a true Louisiana welcome! We had a beautiful day for cycling, perfect temperatures, and while we encountered a bit of headwind, it wasn't enough to spoil the fun. The miles seemed to fly by as we rolled through the increasingly unique landscape of Cajun Country.

🌾 Learning the Local Way: Rice and Crawfish

One of the most fascinating parts of the day was learning about the local rice and crawfish farming. After the rice harvest, farmers intentionally flood the fields, turning them into perfect habitats for raising crawfish! It's an ingenious, dual-purpose farming system that highlights the resourcefulness of the Louisiana agricultural community. It’s amazing to see how the land is used and sustained here.

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🍦 A Sweet Celebration: Frosty Inn

To celebrate hitting 2,000 miles, we finished the day right with a mandatory stop at a local institution: The Frosty Inn! This gem has been locally owned and operated since 1959 and served up the perfect refueling treats—some fantastic shakes and cones. It’s always a highlight to stop and support these small-town businesses with such deep roots.

➡️ Looking Ahead: St. Francisville Bound!

Tomorrow, we are geared up for another big day, planning to cover around 80 miles as we head towards St. Francisville, LA. The adventure continues, and we're looking forward to more great riding and new discoveries!

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That would be our best effort at 2,000!!

Our best lunch spot yet...

Day #29 🛣️ Texas is in the Rearview! Hello, Louisiana!

Day #29 of Project 2950 brought us a big milestone: we officially kissed Texas goodbye! What a day it was—we covered 83 miles from Lumberton, TX, to DeRidder, Louisiana, with around 1,700 feet of elevation gain.

The cycling gods were smiling on us, delivering some truly beautiful weather and light winds that were perfectly timed to propel us across the state line. It felt fantastic to make that final push and find our way into the Pelican State!

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🤠 A Look Back at Texas

Texas has been a massive part of our journey. We spent 17 overnights in the Lone Star State and cycled over 1,000 miles of our current total of 1,950 miles. It’s hard to believe, but as of today, we are officially two-thirds of the way done with the entire Project 2950! That is a huge mental boost.

Frankly, we are happy to be not messing with Texas anymore! While we saw incredible landscapes and met great people, it's time for a change of scenery.

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☀️ Rest and Recharge in DeRidder

The best part? Tomorrow is a well-deserved rest day! We’ll be catching up on laundry, exploring the town of DeRidder, and giving our legs a break before the next big challenge.

In the coming week, we'll be making our push through the Louisiana and Mississippi delta, a section we've been looking forward to. The terrain and culture are about to shift dramatically, and we’re ready for it!

Thanks for following along and stay tuned for our adventures in Louisiana!

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