Matt’s Mississippi Manifest

  • Epilogue: All things must pass…

    Word of the day: RESOLVED. I’m not sure exactly what all has been resolved, but the journey and its immediate effects are complete. I’m posting this from home, where I left 11 weeks ago tomorrow. I left in the middle of summer and returned nearly mid-autumn. A few weeks ago my phone stopped recognizing my…

    junkhager

  • Day #69 (Oct 10, New Orleans LA, MM 95, 0 miles remaining): Grab your things, I’ve come to take you home

    Word of the day: TRIUMPHANT Other than the early morning wake up call from the friendly tugboat captain, the finish to the journey went more or less according to plan. Though most of that last 22 miles were fairly hot, slow and boring. I still had the stress of the possible chain break weighing on…

    junkhager

  • Special post: Oh, it’s happening sweatheart!

    I’m inside the red zone! I’m at mile 99, 4 to go. I know I said I wouldn’t do a full post today, but I need to convey a few things. First, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Captain Charcuterie / Leechman to end without some adventure! I was awake working on Day 7 blog at…

    junkhager

  • Day #68 (Oct 18, St. Rose LA, MM 117, 22 miles remaining): March it into the red zone!

    Today’s word: CRINKUM-CRANKUM. Okay, I don’t know if this word quite fits, but today had a lot of twists and turns; I know my friend Howie will appreciate this one. And, today was a smashing success, and now that the adrenaline has worn off I feel I can be a little exuberant. Oh, that would’ve…

    junkhager

  • Day #67 (Oct 17, Saint James LA, MM 156, 61 miles remaining): You know, it don’t come easy

    Word for today: TRIAL. I know, pretty simple word, but I felt today was full of tests. I guess it’s been this way all along, but today I really felt like the final examination started, to see if I can make it the rest of the way. It all started in darkness and 46 degrees.…

    junkhager

  • Day #66 (Oct 16, White Castle LA, MM 193, 98 miles remain): The thrill is gone

    Unfortunately today’s word is: DISHEARTENING. Maybe it didn’t come across in the write up, but I was feeling pretty upbeat after a bit of recovery yesterday. Yes, the day was an absolute slog, but it was a good accomplishment that I really needed. Today and tonight are the dichotomy of yesterday. After the tough day,…

    junkhager

  • Day #65 (Oct 15, Baton Rouge LA, MM 222.5, 127.5 miles remain): Please make it stop

    Word for today: VEXATIOUS. I thought of a variety of titles for today: 1) Everything but the kitchen sink 2) Thank you sir, may I have another 3) Whatever doesn’t kill you 4) How do you spell brutal? W I N D… Today may have been the most physically demanding. It was certainly the most…

    junkhager

  • Day #64 (Oct 14, New Roads LA, MM 268, 173 miles remaining): Let’s get it on

    Word for the day: INDUSTRIOUS Surprise, I couldn’t sleep. Actually I slept pretty well from 10:30-1:00am, then from 2-4:30am. At that early hour I was thinking about needing an early start today, and wondering what song to use as a text tone for Bill Rohde. Certainly there are more important things to think about, but…

    junkhager

  • Day #63 (Oct 13, Vidalia, LA, MM 313; 218 miles to go): This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, this ain’t no fooling around

    Word for today: GULP Okay, let’s get this out there to start. I’m officially in alligator country! 🐊 It was 4:45 this afternoon, passing mile 316. I was coming to the end of a nice big sandy beach and was thinking, “I’m tired, it’s getting late. I know we wanted 45 miles, but 39 is…

    junkhager

  • Day #62 (Oct 12, Natchez, MS MM 355): Keep on keeping on

    Word for today: RESILIENCE. There was some tough sledding today, but I made 42 miles. I’m now 260 miles from my final destination, but it’s not getting any easier. The rain finally stopped around 10pm last night, and somewhat thankfully the wind kept blowing so when I got up in the morning, the tent was…

    junkhager