I’m currently holed up in The Super 8 in Beaumont, Texas. The predicted severe thunderstorms broke about 6:00PM and I just made it to the hotel lobby. I wanted to get to Houston today but it is another hour down Interstate 10.
My bone-chilling trip from Canada finally warmed up yesterday about mid-day as I entered southern Alabama. It was great to see the snow disappear from the ditches and have the smell of pine trees. By the time I arrived in Mobile and the Gulf coast it was quite pleasant. Since then I have removed my layers of clothing sequentially as the temperature rose along with my confidence that it wasn’t just a cruel joke and would start snowing! I don’t think I will ever attempt riding in those temperatures again.
Some things I have learned so far:
1. A lot of things fall off trucks on interstate highways (chains, tarps, bits of metal, and the ever-present shredded tires
2. People in cars stopped waving to me in direct proportion to the rise of ambient temperature
3. Men my age (60) can’t resist telling me about the motorcycles they have owned
4. Everyone has been pleasant and kind to me (includes the guy who tracked me down in large bookstore to say my lights were on and many “ride safely” and watch for; weather, construction, crazy drivers, etc comments)
5. If you ask for a discount at a discount hotel – you’ll get it easily
6. New Orleans is still a mess – I saw hundreds of flood-destroyed homes, mile after mile from the highway. Didn’t have the heart to stop and take pictures (we have all seen enough)
7. I should have started to study Spanish a long time ago

Today’s ride through southern Louisiana (Cajun country) was an amazing geography lesson. It seemed half the highway was really an elevated roadway over swampland or “bayou” of the Mississippi delta. At this time of year the trees and bush has no leaves allowing you to see deep into the swamp. A very special place.
Should cross the Mexican border on Feb 14th - Valentine's Day.