After 10 hours of restful sleep, I left the motel at 7:30 A.M. and biked to the eastern edge of Cleveland for breakfast. Then I continued east on TX Hwy 105 for 23 miles to Moss Hill. Just before I got there, I saw my first bayou with cypress trees festooned with Spanish moss (see photo). Otherwise the terrain resembled that of yesterday. The clear blue skies and cool, dry air also continued. Ten miles east of Moss Hill, I stopped at Batson for a water, snack, and bathroom break. I met Gilles and Louise from Montreal on their way to Argentina. Their touring bikes were loaded. I ate lunch in Stratton sitting in a patch of grass next to a convenience store. On the 12 miles to Kountze, I saw piles of insulation, carpet, and other junk removed from homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey. In Kountze, I stopped for a water and snack break and visited with local resident Peggy about the flooding caused by 52 inches of rain over four days. I biked south for three miles on US Hwy 69 and then turned east on TX Hwy 327 for a nine mile ride to Silsbee. Just east of town, I passed the Nature Conservancy's Sandylands Sanctuary where I attended a prescribed burn training 30 years ago. I bought groceries and got my tires pumped up at a tire shop. Guys at tire shops have always been friendly and happy to help me. I biked east for a mile to US Hwy 96 and the delightful Red Cloud RV park. I set up my tent on a soft grassy spot next to a pavilion, showered, checked maps then cooked dinner. All is well. 64 miles biked today.
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