In our effort to get west before the bad weather sets in, we opted to use Eisenhower's road system. As a result of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, signed into law by Dwight, the interstate highway system that resulted provides a ribbon of wide roads that link places in a relatively direct manner. Although we normally avoid these roads, they do have their uses.

Going from Mississippi to Louisiana involved crossing the Mississippi River. On Highway 20, the transition is easy, and you can stop at a floating casino if it strikes your fancy. Since we were after miles, not the loss of dollars, we only stopped for pictures before jumping back on the road west.

In our dash west, we made it to the Dallas area before we got caught by the rain. As it happened, it was OK because we wanted to stop in Cleburne for some research, and to take more pictures of headstones (Ann's great grandfather this time).

While in Cleburne, we stopped by the Johnson County court house and found quite a few deeds related to land bought and sold by Sam Elliott, Ann's ancestor.

Then it was a quick run down to Austin to meet Jym's cousin Belinda and her husband, Andy. They own and operate the Armadillo Candy Company which produces 'droppings' (dark pecan pralines) that are shipped around the state and world.

Traveling the back roads, we try to eat at local restaurants (find the one with the most pickups out front). The Koffee Kup was just such a place, and we ended up talking to six different sets of people about the trip and our mode of travel.

Back in northern Texas, this time in Palo Pinto, we did some more tracking of Ann's ancestors through court house records. We also found copies of some marriage licenses - quite a productive venture into the basement vault.

We headed west again, out across the flat oil fields of West Texas. After hours of seeing pump jacks nodding up and down, and the odd well head, we finally hit the hills near the western tip.

Out in the desert near Phoenix, we took a break to check out the varieties of cacti. We spent a delightful evening in Cave Creek with a couple from Jym's reunion which included a short ride around the area at sunset - gorgeous. It's a great place to visit, and we will return to explore more.

Arizona gives way to California at the Colorado River. Except for a very narrow band of green along the banks, you wouldn't guess that the desert was split by a river this size.

Continuing west after a surprise desert rain in Needles, we dipped on to Route 66 looking for breakfast and came across the infamous, quirky, Bagdad Cafe. After Andre found that we were on bikes, she became our friend and wanted a picture.

After crossing the Mojave Desert, we stopped and visited Michael & Gayle (although Michael was in NY), and then to Santa Barbara to visit Jeff & Ana & the grandkids. After an afternoon playing with Eric & Alina, we took Alina to her piano lesson - she's getting pretty good. Then we went to a corn maze after dark and had a great time.

Leaving the coast, we went inland to Oakhurst which is the southern end of Highway 49, one of our favorite roads. Along the way, Highway 41 provides a short section of really nice asphalt before it crosses the flats of the valley.

Returning home up 49, we were treated to the 'golden hills' of California (read - dried, dead native grasses). Although it signalled the end of a terrific ride of discovery around the country, it was also a 'welcome' to the familiar terrain of home.

This trip was one of genealogical revelation, a gathering of old school acquaintances, the establishment of new friendships, the thrill of sights not seen before, and, of course, one HECK of a RIDE! It will take at least a year to sort out all of the data unearthed from the depths (and attics) of various court houses. And as a result of seeing new areas of the country it spurs us to go out and see even more.