Tupelo, MS 5-9

More rain overnight and a foggy morning start, cruised west back to the trace on straight,bone flat county rode 2. About 20 miles to the bridge over the Tennessee River surprisingly wide (about a mile), learned about Chickasaw running the ferry across. Broke through the first road closed sign where conditions were fine for our private road ride, but then we found out about the $5000 fine (each) for construction violations so we detoured off the trace. First road was fine - quiet, farms - but after we crossed into Mississippi we had trucks, sun and rumble strips, and at least 8 extra miles. Harsh. Temps climbed above 90 and we had a slow/long lunch at the shack in Tishomingo for which we now owe at least $1000 for the Styrofoam carbon offset. Then 3pm departure with 45 to go; not good. Said shehiyanu getting back on trace, the sun faded and we cruised. Jason found us a shortcut so we pulled in just before dark, breaking the 'you always arrive at 5.30, regardless of mileage/start time' rule. Decided to head right to outback where we overordered/under-ate. Again. Then to the posh tru hotel where we're all looking forward to a morning off tomorrow. 95 miles (a Jewish century), 100 for jason who did laps in the parking lot. 

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