Pontotoc MS - Horror-, Anniston AL - Sanity

We have fast forwarded once again. For the first time in 1600+ miles Betsy and I felt at risk. We started out on Monday the 25th with cloudless blue skies and the usual hot and humid temperatures. We headed out on the only route available according to our Garmin and Google Maps to continue in an Easterly direction. We toured the campus of "OL MISS", the University Of Mississippi at Oxford, and it was great-a very bike friendly community. We then continued East, but as soon as we headed into Pontotoc County, MS we encountered trouble; first we were literally run off the road and crashed, then within the hour a very large Ford 350 pickup moved from the left lane to the right lane to pressure us to the edge of the road (no shoulder and a drop off), and the last straw was when a Semi stayed in the right lane (the left lane was empty) and blared his horn as he pulled even with us. All were clearly asggressive and dangerous acts. All within 2 hours of leaving "Ol Miss". Both of us were shaken and unfortunately we had no choice but to continue down the same route for another 2 hours. We were very defensive and did not stop until we reached our hotel (a 60 mile/100 degree day) without the usual breaks. After some discussion we decided that we would rather complete our trip alive and unharmed then push the envelope. We looked at the map for alternative routes that might have a shoulder. We had been told by a women at the Mississsppi welcome center that their roadways do not have shoulders - and she did not lie. No shoulders to be found. We decided to rent a car and put Mississippi behind us - CURSES - foiled again -no rental cars to be had. And to add insult to injury this was a "dry county" so I could not even have a G & T. Enough was enough, we looked up U-Haul on the internet, found a truck, loaded up our Tandem and fast forwarded to Anniston, Alabama. Tomorrow morning we will take off to ride the Chief Ladiga Trail and the Silver Comet Trail to Atlanta-100 miles of non-motorized bike trail. I would advise anyone and everyone to avoid Mississippi if at all possible. Enough said.