Blue days

I was sick last week with the flu. ,but did get out and ride. Right, now I feel like one one of Martyrs Of Memphis when it comes to my Job search: < br /> Maybe I'll get a job here:

At least they 'improved' Riverside drive:

The Blister and The Headstone

Well, Friday I went out for a ride, but I had to fix a flat before I started out. No problem, until I had another flat at Poplar and McLean(about a block). I thought it was due to a bad patch, so I replaced it. But then I got another flat at the Mid-south Coliseum. Oh-oh! It looked I had bad tire. I replaced the tube again, and made to Madison and Tucker (two blocks away)before I was deflated yet again. Needless to say , I had a nice blister on my hand after this, so instead of a Bike ride, I took my Mom out to where she was raised: Ramer, TN. It's about a 90 mile journey from Memphis, but the trip involves a little jog into Mississippi, due to better roads and avoidance of small town with a reputation form speed traps. We first went to Mt. Vernon cemetery:

I like this one, since my Grandmother Burress' maiden name was Maxedon. Most of my ancestor are buried there, but some more are at Ramer City cemetery:

This is my Grandfather and Grandmother. I had a very string feel for where they were, despite it being 35 years since I had been there (It was my Grandfather's Funeral).

Uncle James was always an engima, as he seemed to lose a bunch of himself on Omaha beach. he was awarded several medals, but no one seems to remember which ones. Somes times the past is hard to Fathom. I was thinking about that, as I going to get us a soda to drink on the way back, but the old General Store is now a wrestling arena:

The connection

I was looking for the connection in my religious life , and I think I found it. Memphis was nearly wiped out in a yellow fever epidemic in the 1870's. Several folks who had taken holy orders stayed behind to take care of the ill, and lost their own lives, most notably Constance and Her Companions. Constance was a member of the Community of St. Mary, which was located in Peeksill, NY. They are now located on the ground of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany's Spiritual Life Center - the connection between the Cathedral of All Saints and St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, if you excuse this blurry picture:

A ride with no purpose

well, it was sorta a loop here and a loop there. nice sign:

It started here:

I wonder what General Forrest thinks about the park's new name:

Time for a group ride:
to central station < br />
I was going to ride today, but I had too much to do. maybe next week.

No Royalty Needed

Well, it was hard to decide on a route with the beale street music festival and the royal wedding. A nice gazebo:

The City of New Orleans

The Festival

Beale

The Peabody

Something for the Curbside

and a Civil Right Pioneer:

I'll leave you with scene on Barksdale, about three block from my Grandfather and Grandmother Lingo's house:

East is the new West

One thing that's hard to adapt to Memphis is that it's built on the opposite bank of the Mississippi than Cape Girardeau. I do get turned around when people mention East or West, as I think in terms of the river. The ride did not start out good:

but I pedaled by the Cooper-young Farmers market:

Memphis StateThe University of Memphis.

captured a Curbside Classic

and got to ride , where we decided to head out to Collierville. Here I was , planning on making a shortcut. Still, it was worth it, even if it did wind up with more miles than I had planned.

Riding with the Hightailers

Well, saturday I did my first group in about three years with the Memphis Hightailers:

We had to stop for the Bunny run:

Before winding up at Memphis Farmer's Market:



and we went back via the bike arch. A very good experience:

I was going to go for a ride Sunday, but I spent most of the day doing some java code for a prospective employer (having you send a sample of your work is common strategy), going to church, and taking my mother for a ride.