Day 4 - May 14, 2023. Savannah, TN - Parsons, TN

Today was another relatively short day.  Forecast was for hot weather, so breakfast at about 6:30 and on the road by about 7:30.  A bit of backtracking today to get back on course.  Back over the bridge, and again one of the lanes was closed for construction.  I broke the law again, and again am not spending the night in jail.  I wonder if the jails are air-conditioned?  Here's the Tennessee River in the early morning light.



Since we started riding three days ago, we have seemed to constantly been riding in rolling hill terrain.  As we turned north today and rode relatively close to the Tennessee River for a while we had the flattest terrain that I've noticed yet.  Looks like some crops are just starting to sprout - corn, maybe?  



Nice to ride in the shade for a while, and then the hills began.  Nice view over the waterway below, though.



Lots of fun hills for a while (although I might be one of the few who called them "fun").  Speaking of hills.  I'm guessing we have about 9 or 10 riders on e-bikes which, of course, take all the fun out of the hills......  It was a bit of a country road, the kind where we usually see lots of dogs.  I was surprised when I didn't see any loose dogs for quite a stretch.  Turns out I was riding fairly close behind a woman on an e-bike who had pepper-sprayed a number of the pesky critters shortly before I came by.  Seems they were still in retreat trying to figure out what happened to them.  Once I got ahead of her I started to encounter more of them.  I don't think anyone has been bitten yet, but it just adds unneeded angst to the ride.  

At about 19 miles we came into the town of Saltillo.  Cindi was there with the SAG and we had lots of great treats and hydration top-ups.  And - the mayor was there to chat with us; nice fellow.  Here's the poop on that..........  Apparently the Chief of Police saw riders heading towards town.  He called the town's mayor who hopped in his golf cart and came over to greet us.  The mural below was painted last year for the town's 200th birthday.  




Lots more country roads from here on in.  Looking for real estate?  It has an air conditioner......


I noticed that the temperature reading on my Garmin hit 35C as we were pulling in to our destination town of Parsons.  



Given that it wasn't even noon yet, and the rooms would likely not be ready, I opted for a slushie/slurpy stop at the Shell station in town.  So good.......... 

Tonight's Deerfield Inn Motel is apparently owned by the same people as last night's Days Inn in Savannah.  Not top marks for maintenance and appearance, but the air conditioner and the shower work well, and the people who run them are super friendly.


Parsons, Tennessee

Population 2,100 (2020).  In 2000 the median household income was $22,688.  The town was created around 1889 by the Tennessee Midland Railroad Company.  


Stats for the day:  

Distance:  72.5 km / 45 miles

Elevation (Garmin):  674m up /  646m down.  2210' up / 2118' down.

Elevation (RWGPS):  did not save properly

Weather:  19C - 35C.  Mostly sunny all day.  We left early (shortly after 7:30) to try to beat the heat.  I was into Parsons before noon and it had already hit 35C.  Good thing we create a breeze for ourselves as we go along!




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