Day 31: Mon., Monroe-Vicksburg, MS 89 mi.

Sunday ended up with sun, low humidity and brisk winds out of the west. This a.m.skies were clear and winds from the NNW. This was to be the flatest day of biking the whole trip. I did not stop until mi 63 where we had lunch in Talulah. We hung around until all had finished to head out the last 17 mi to the Mississippi River. We were not allowed on the I-20 bridge, but Wheels had petitioned to be allowed on the old bridge, closed in '73 when the new bridge opened. We all signed wavers of responsibility and then were escorted over the bridge above the Missippi just as a freight train rolled slowly on the same bridge. Only about 3 groups have this access per year though there is ongoing refurbishing to turn it into a permanent pedestrian bridge in the future. Several of us went to explore historic downtown Vicksburg but eventually wound up at Hawkin's U.M.C.where we bunked down in their gym, complete with indoor showers.