We're getting into a pretty consistent routine by this time in the trip and today was a typical day biking along Route 82 with a nice wide shoulder so we didn't quite have to share space with trucks. Dale also had another flat tire which seems to be the norm lately as well.

We made good time and ended up going 43 miles before deciding to call it a day as the weather started getting cooler and windier. It was interesting terrain as we biked along the Ouachita River and the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. The pine forests in this area are home to the red-cockaded woodpecker and there have been unsubstantiated sightings of the ivory billed woodpecker (considered extinct) in the sloughs and cypress swamps and Dale kept an eye out for each species to no avail.

For those interested in wildlife sightings, other than birds and squirrels, we've seen a couple live deer, coyotes, and woodchucks. We mostly see road kills. Opossum are the most frequently seen road-kill species by far; probably 3 or 4 a day. Other species the last couple weeks include birds and a handful of deer, skunks, coyotes, domestic dogs and cats, frogs, and one snake. Dale thinks armadillos may take over this leader-board as we move into Texas.

We're staying tonight in the same hotel we stayed in last night. It is in Crossett, Arkansas and claims the title "Forestry Capital of the South". We just can't seem to get away from those logging trucks. We're in a Tru Hotel; which is a brand of Hilton hotels that is sort of a clever economy hotel. They have bright colors, contemporary furnishings, and seem to try to appeal to a younger, hip, crowd. We don't necessarily feel "hip", but Dale did like the hi-tech hands-off pancake making machine at breakfast and we enjoyed playing 8-ball on the pool-table in the lobby as well as our usual game of cards.

We're not sure what tomorrow will bring for biking as tonight we're having a little New England weather down here- high winds and snow. At least they have hot chocolate.