March 13, 2008 Greenville, TX

Today was supposed to be a short easy day, kind of a rolling rest day. It turned into a long, slow grind into the wind. I left Bonham in clear, sunny conditions with about a 10 mph wind blowing out of the South. Within about 20 minutes, low clouds obscured the sun and the wind kicked up to 25 mph with gusts in the 30's. Time to just bear down and pedal.

I made a stop at the gas station in Hickory Creek, and rested in the lee of the building while pulling on a long sleeve top and girding myself mentally for the upcoming push. Once back on the bike, it was an endurance contest between my will to finish and the desire to stop and rest. Almost 4 hours later my will won the contest. As a result, I didn't stop to take any photos
along the way. Besides, what was there to take pictures of? Texas is nothing but miles and miles of miles and miles. It has a beauty that has to be experienced in the flesh. Photos don't work well to convey the feeling.

The town of Greenville, TX is tonight's layover. This is the hometown of America's most decorated war hero, Audie Murphy. Made famous during WWII for winning multiple combat awards including the Congressional Medal of Honor, Murphy went on to a film career after the war. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery where his grave is the second most visited site after that of JFK.

Once at the B&B Angels Dream (www.angelsdreamfish.com), I took a nice long soak in the tub followed by a long nap. These old bones and muscles needed a break today. That darn wind had other ideas! Tomorrow should be better.