2025 Big Trip to northern Mississippi
The Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship, to which Community Baptist
belongs, has a member congregation which hosts a three-day prayer meeting each
summer. In 2023, I was considering going to this and my dear wife suggested I
ride my motorcycle and make a fun trip of it. She is God’s gift to me in many
ways! I did that, two years ago. Medical problems sidelined me for much of 2024
and I was unable to travel to the meeting. In the meantime, I sold my old Honda
Sabre and bought a 2010 Honda NT700V, a mid-sized sport-touring bike.
2025 has been
much better. It started with my discovery of a 20-years old program called the
Grand Tour of Texas, an individual rally with riders choosing which sites
around the state – picked by the rally organizers – to ride to. Each rider has
his own number, which is to be displayed on the bike at each site; the
requirement being to take a picture of the site with the bike in front of it.
25 or more sites earns a patch! That woman God gave me suggested I sign up for
this rally – “sounds like fun!”, she said. I asked her if she really just
wanted me out of the house a bit.
Starting in March, I rode to carious places with a plan to gather
26 or 27 sites. In May, I took a 4-day camping trip to Meridian State Park
(west of Waco) to pick up 8 sites. I had plans to spend time with a friend in
the Houston area to pick sites around that area.
But the 2025 prayer meeting had been planned for the second week
of June and I wanted to ride the new bike to that. So I consolidated the trip
to the prayer meeting with the rally trip to Houston.
The Plan
1
June, ride to Spring, TX after picking up a Ground Tour of Texas site in
Shiner, stopping in Sugarland for worship with Lous and his congregation. 200
miles. Spend 4 nights with Andy.
2
June, 239 mile trip to pick up Grand Tour sites in Navasota, Bryan, Hearne, and
Burton.
3
June, 211 mile trip to pick up Grand Tour sites in Wharton and Lake Jackson.
4
June, relax. Lunch with John.
5
June, 300 mile trip to JR’s house, picking Grand Tour sites in Groveton, Caddo
Mounds, Rusk, and Gladewater.
6
June, 205 mile trip to Warren, Arkansas. Spend one might at Clairmont Inn.
7
June, 200 mile trip to Nesbit, MS. Spend 1 night at Homestay Inn, Horn Lake,
MS.
8
June: worship with Mercy Hill then onto Debbie’s house, 17 miles
13
June, 192 mile trip to Warren, Arkansas. Spend one night at Clairmont Inn.
14
June, 212 miles to Donald’s home. Spend one night.
15
June, Pick up 27th site in Jaquin, TX, then home, 335 miles.
The tires that came on the bike were low end and, after 8,400
miles, with the big trip looming large in my mind, I bought new tires in April
and mounted the rear tire pretty quickly. When I got home from the camping
trip, I had almost two weeks before the big trip, so I changed the oil and
filter, checked the air filter and cleaned it up. 4 days before the trip was to
begin, I changed the front tire.
I have been changing my own motorcycle tires for decades. Built a
stand for balancing them. This front tire vibrated the handlebars at 45 mph;
balancing twice did nothing to resolve that. I contacted a motorsports shop in
the city they agreed to balance it for me – on Friday. I got the wheel home
that evening and put in on the bike. Saturday morning, I took it for a test
drive. The problem remained. I called the shop and was asked to ride the bike
in for examination. I told them the bike was smooth as glass with the old tire
on it, but they wanted to look at all the components of the front suspension. I
was at their shop by 10AM, the day before my departure.
The fellas at the shop wanted to examine everything and charge me
for it. I wanted to get the bike ready for the trip, so I agreed. They found
nothing wrong with the bike. I told them, again, that I thought the tire was
defective – it was only thing that had been changed. They put the wheel on the
balancing table and looked at it from the front – and saw the tread wobble back
and forth. Defective tire. Their parts guy said they had a couple of tires that
size and type; I chose one that got good reviews on the forum for this bike. It
was more than twice the price of the defective tire. They mounted it and I
headed out – no vibration from the tire! Got home around 4PM.
Side note: the defective tire was under warranty; I returned it
and will get a refund.
Did what packing I could Saturday evening and went to bed,
anticipating the trip and thanking God for an understanding wife. I had packed
some books, to give to the friends I would stay with. At 7AM on 1 June, I
headed to Houston.
Time spent with Louis and New Covenant Church was joyful. Nice to
get re-acquainted with old friends and meet some new ones. They have lunch at
noon, Lord’s Supper after lunch, then singing, praying, and a message with
Q&A. This was good for my soul. I gave Louis a copy of A Tale of Two
Confessions and Faith, Law, and Society. I arrived at Andy’s house
around 5PM; traffic around Houston is always miserable. Andy and I rode
together for many years, making two camping trips into Arkansas. I stayed with
Andy and his wife until Thursday morning, spending Monday riding northwest to
pick up 4 sites and Tuesday riding south for 2 more. Wednesday was a riding
sabbath; I rested that morning, met an old, dear, friend for lunch and much
theological discussion. Quiet time that evening, as my hosts had a party to
attend.
I hit the road early, with little more than 300 miles ahead of me,
with stops to pick up 4 sites on the way. I’ve developed a habit while riding –
when the road doesn’t demand my full attention, I’ve begun praying for various
people and singing hymns in my head. This has been very good for my spiritual
health. I arrived at JR’s farm around 5 PM. JR and I have been friends since
around 2000; we met at a men’s Bible study on Friday mornings. He and his wife
are dear to my soul. I gave JR a copy of The Gospel in Isaiah; we talked
into late in the evening.
Short day on Friday, little more than 200 miles to my motel in
Warren, Arkansas. As I rolled into that small town, a shack of a restaurant
caught my eye – Roberton’s Smokehouse. It was a bit after noon and I
turned in. My, oh, my! $12 for about a third of a pound of lean brisket and two
sides. And it was SO good! Mark that joint; it is worth a visit.
Saturday was to be another short day of little more than 200 miles
to my destination in Horn Lake, Mississippi. There was a light rain when I left
Warren, which dried up in about 90 minutes. I passed south of Helena and got on
US49 to cross the mighty Mississippi River. That bridge rises up about 50 to 75
feet above the river, the pavement was wet and the wind was blowing across the
road. About half a mile into Mississippi, a cross wind of about 50 mph ‘bout
blew me right off the highway. A drenching rain, the likes of which I haven’t
seen in more than 40 years, soaked every bit of me in less than 3 minutes. In
the valley of that great river there are no places to turn off the road, no
places to stop under any shelter. So I road on – for 10 miles in that downpour
– until I saw a Dollar General store. I pulled into their lot, went inside,
puddled everywhere I walked. Bought some trail mix and bottle of water; the
workers lent me a chair to sit on. I chatted with my wife on a phone that kept
telling me there was moisture in the charging port.
The rain nearly stopped about an hour after I went inside the
store. I ventured back in a light drizzle. 5 miles later, heavy rain. I was on
a back road that would have been a lot of fun in daylight. As it was, I could
go no more than 35 mph because of the rain. Despite the darkness and heavy
rain, I noticed some cars being driven without their headlights on. At one
point, I slowed down for no apparent reason – and an unlit car appeared,
approaching me on my side of the road as he drove around a downed tree on the
road. I later contemplated on this – I am thoroughly convinced God restrained
me at that point, causing me to slow down so I wouldn’t hit that car head-on. He
has delivered me from death thus far; how can I not trust Him? Do you know Him?
Only one way to have peace and eternal life – believe on the Lord Jesus!
About 30
minutes out from my hotel in Horn Lake, Mississippi, the sun came out. I did
not get anywhere close to dry by the time I arrived. I checked in, took
everything off, dried myself, put on dry clothes (nothing in my luggage was
wet!), then put my wet riding clothes, jeans, and gloves on the bike to be
dried by the sun. Used the hair dryer to dry out my boots. Wrung the water out
of the other bits and hung them up in the bathroom. Then I walked 5 minutes to
a Waffle House and had a pecan waffle, sausage, and coffee for a late lunch.
Everything was dry by 7 the next morning.
I had planned to meet with the saints known as Mercy Hill, in
Olive Branch – been with them twice in the past couple of years. They have a
connection with some folks back home at Community Baptist and I feel at home
with these dear folks. It was a short ride; the weather that Sunday was beautiful!
Arrived in time to score a blueberry cake do-nut and cup of coffee. Gave the
preacher a copy of A Tale of Two Confessions, the 1644 London Baptist
Confession, and Faith, Law, and Society. His message was very good.
Had lunch at the house of a member with whom I’ve become good friends. About 8
others from Mercy Hill were there as well. Had a fine time talking with them,
then another short ride to Debbie’s house, where I would stay until my
departure home on Friday.
Debbie is a
member of the host congregation; she has the gift of hospitality. She has
hosted folk who come to this prayer meeting in the past. Her father had died a
couple of months before – he was 99 years old. All who knew him spoke well of
him, and his daughter. A friend from Louisiana joined us; he had driven up for
the prayer meeting. This picture is the view from Debbie’s house. Debbie is
food pusher, always wanting to cook something and feed her guests. Also, much
mutual benefit in talking about the Lord and how He is always good to His own
people. I gave a copy of Captive to the Word of God.
The prayer meeting started at noon each day, with times of prayer
until 5 PM. A light supper then a message from a brother who was there. This
year, the focus was on various aspects of personal revival and awakening. I
think the Lord was preparing me for this time during my travel; praying and
singing while alone on the road. The prayer time with these dear folks was
sweet and impactful; the Lord has restored the joy of my salvation! I do not
want to lose this deep-seated sense of satisfaction with and humble awe of the
all-powerful, all-knowing creator reaching down to save me from sin and hell
and reconcile me to Himself. Here’s part of a hymn that is still making music
in my head:
And what wondrous love is this
Though I raised my clenched fist
He opened up my hand to received His gift.
And what wondrous love is here
The God Immortal has drawn near
And shed His blood to close the rift.
How truly awesome it is to be redeemed by the Lamb! The time with
the saints gathered for this prayer meeting was strength for my soul as God
Himself ministered to us and to me.
As I looked
to Friday, beginning my travel home, the weather was fickle. Friday morning was
clear, no – it had lots of rain! By late Thursday, I determined to get back on
the road regardless. Friday morning was partly cloudy and delightful. My trip
to Warren, AR was more enjoyable than my trip from that town. Lunch at
Robertson’s Smokehouse was another terrific meal.
Saturday
looked to be a good day for travel and I hit the road for a short day to m
friend Donald’s house, near Mansfield, LA. On the way, a bridge had a very
rough joint where it met the abutment on one end. Nearly shook me loose from
the handlebars. Some time after that I stopped for chow and discovered that
bump shattered the plastic outer shell on my left saddlebag. There are sturdy
fabric liners in the saddlebags; none of my stuff fell out. I met Donald at a
family camp in northern Arkansas back when we lived in SE Oklahoma. Donald and
his wife treat me like family. I got to see a new-born calf on his farm, the
momma cow standing over it, licking it and nudging it to stand. Nice
conversation until late into the evening. I gave him a copy of Faith, Law,
and Society.
Sunday morning came early – I had about 375 miles to go to get
home. Had breakfast on the road and enjoyed bright sun and some cooling clouds.
Picked up my last Grand Tour site as I entered Texas. As I made my way south
and west, I ran into rain – about 90 minutes from home. It was hard enough to
slow me down but didn’t soak me like the rain in the Mississippi River valley.
I outran the clouds and had sun the rest of the way. Arrived home around 5 PM. The
liner in the saddlebag kept my stuff dry!
The total trip ran just over 2,500 miles. I ended up with 27 sites
for the Grand Tour, should get a patch later this year. My wife was glad to see
me; both dogs were waggy-tale happy. I am thankful to God for keeping me safe
on the trip and keeping the bike running like a clock. This trip was not as
tiring as the 2,000 trip I made on the older bike 2 years ago. I do not know
how much longer I’ll be able to ride, so I enjoy it while I can. Finding a
replacement for the saddlebag is difficult – such parts are no longer being
made and supplies are rare.
Back home, determined to not be satisfied with religious
formalism; must have Christ!
