Day 16 Genuine Kindness

I finished my 16th day at Sebree Kentucky. I came to this Baptist Church and was looking around the outside and in the windows.  A man named Bob rode up on his bike, greeted me and asked if I ate. He was the retired Pastor of 35 years from that Baptist Church.  I came to his house across the street where a gathering of people had just finished eating. Bob's wife Violet put a place for me at the head of the table. They were very kind people. All locally retired. Instead of talking about me I asked about them. They each took turns telling me what their life was. Later Bob took me to the Church. It was wonderful.  Showers, laundry, kitchen, comfort. Very Nice of them, I am very grateful.

Day 16 Memorial Day

Day 15 Summary

I left Willem after around 40 miles today. I enjoyed him. He didn't need to go the distance that I need to because he was meeting his son in Colorado.  Now I am by myself. It was a long day because I couldn't find a campsite due to it was Memorial Day Weekend. A man from the Core Of Engineering (COE) called around and asked me if I had eight more miles left in me. I said, "Yes!"  He made arrangements with a (COE) camp down the road. It was very nice.

Day 15 Ferry Ride

Ferry Ride Through Chocolate

I was riding down a rode in the country and came to this old fashion river crossing. Cables kept the ferry centered. I was curious what they do when the river gets low, I guess drive across.

Barns Are Interesting

Barn On A Hill

I found this barn interesting. All the green growing on it surrounded by old fields.

What Are These Designs On Barns

Quilt Patch Design

I noticed for days these beautiful designs on barns. They are symmetrical, sometimes looking like a kaleidoscope effect, so I asked. They are quilt designs. I was told they can represent a family quilt that has been handed down or just a fashion design. There are some very beautiful designs. They are usually painted on a square wood panel.

Day 14 Mammoth Caves

Section Of Cave Trail Warning That It Is Narrow

Cave Entrance

Cave Network

Spent the day at Mammoth Caves National Park. Rained heavy again last night. Over 400 miles of caves. Largest in the world. Tomorrow I ride again.

Day 13 Kentucky Roads, Catholic Churches

The roads are still hilly but the scenery is changing. Today was different. I spotted many Catholic Churches including this one on a hill. Many yards had Mary statues.

Day 13 Zombie Attack Sanctuary

I saw these strange buildings. They were all the same, black in color, same dimensions, Must have been 10 of them surrounded by a fence. I told Willem they were Zombie Attack Sanctuaries. Later I learned they are for Bourbon Whiskey Barrel storage.

Day 13 Turtle Crossing

I traveled with Willem "Villem" from Holland again today. We went 90 plus miles to get to Mammoth Caves National Park in Kentucky. This cost me another day because it is a seventy mile loop off the route. I explained we have to get there Friday and it was a three day Holiday weekend so the park might sell out. We got the last non-RV camping spot. Along the way we spotted many dead turtles on the road that didn't have the speed to cross before getting hit. We saw this big turtle crossing and waved away the traffic as Willem picked him up and helped him cross.

Day 12

I had a great day. Back up to riding longer. I keep seeing a nice man from Netherlands (Holland). His name is Willem. We rode in some terrible stormy weather today and are camping under a pavilion at a outdoor sports complex. The weather was full of lightning and thunder so we asked a man if we could sit with him on his porch to wait out of the storm. We chatted for a while.

There Is A Storm Brewing

Rolling Hills Of Kentucky

Day 11 Summary

Nice weather today. It is suppose to rain tonight. I rode with a few others for part of the day. We concluded the best way to handle the dogs was get off the bike and walk, placing the bike between you and the dog. Six of us are camping behind Fire Station #2 in Berea, Kentucky. It was another shorter ride day because of finding a sleeping point.

Day 11 Berea College Art Display

This Artist was at the local College.  I met a man on the road, he invited me to the showing and where I met the artist. He showed me his work. His paintings are of people in this area. They looked life like and captured the people in the Appalachians.

Day 11 Berea Coal Display

Day 11 Berea Kentucky

Day 11 Big Hill Kentucky

Day 11 Horses

Day 11 Ten Commandments

A Reminder To Do Good Wherever You May Be

Day 10 Pictures

Butterfly In My Tent

Camping With Others

Other Bike Riders 

Day 10

It was another day of dogs chasing me. These are like junk yard dogs. I try to bike quietly when I see them sleeping slowly pedaling so they won't here the ratcheting sound of my rear wheel .  I made it a short day, no overnight sleeping spots for about 50 miles. I stayed at a Presbyterian church. Met other bikers in the evening. The evening is really beautiful tonight. Maybe no rain.

Day 9 Summary

The Bike Seat Has Dimples

I've worn the seat in. Probably got wetter than it was suppose to. Day 9 was good except for the dogs. So many dogs especially in the back country roads where the homes are close to the road. A canal on one side and the dogs on the other. I was never sure if there was going to be a mean dog. For example, I was coming up a long hill when I noted two dogs sitting in the road ahead. I put all my water in one bottle. I biked forward and whistled to see their reaction.  Not two but three dogs came after me, I couldn't outrun them because I was going up hill. I yelled "NO!" and squeezed water at them as they darted at me. I finally wore them out. The owners didn't call them off.

40 YEARS

Bikes At Lookout Church

Day 8 Summary

Day 8 was beautiful until the rainy evening but I made it to a Church in Lookout Kentucky where I had my best night. During the day I came across a large flock of butterflies.  In Virginia, I never experienced an impatient driver. I had my first diesal pickup dusting. This is when a diesal pickup throttles it to pass you and blows heavy black smoke. I noted the truck back cab window said "Prisoner Of The Highway" in large letters.

Welcome To Eastern Kentucky

Day 7 Summary

Hayters Gap Hill

Day 7 was very long. I was on what I think is the hardest hill yet. The hill out of Hayters Gap. It was a hilly day. I was having a difficult time finding a place to sleep. I could not reach the Church Hostel by phone so three quarters way up the hill I decided to stop for the night. I camped in the woods just off the road. My tent was still muddy from last night. The rain was heavy. Things went wrong. I stepped in human poop. It stunk. As I set up the tent it filled with water. It was slanted with two inches of water at the bottom.  I stumbled and fell into the tent bending the pole assembly. Luckily I had noticed two blue rags near the road earlier and picked them up figuring I might need them. I used one to clean my shoe and the other to soak up the rain. I learned that next time I could set the cover up first and then put the tent up under the cover. The next morning I heard a red truck come screaching to a stop. I thought I was in trouble and crouched down. A man got out and let his dog out. I thought if that dog sees me "will it attack?" Then they got back in and zoomed off, then another red truck came zooming up. They also seemed like they meant business. I ducked. A girl and guy got out, fiddled around, got back in and left.

Last View Of Virginia

Large Group Of Motorcyclists

Spectacular

Coal Country

Coal Mines

I stopped and spoke to many people. I asked  a man about what people do for jobs around here in western Virginia. He said this is coal country, however it has cut back and many are out of work. As I rode my bike I saw remnants of coal conveyers, train coal cars, special entrance signs for ambulances into the mines, and signs posted about how many days since the last injury. It looks lie dangerous work.

Birds

Birds Chirping

If you listen, you can hear the birds chirping nonstop. There are many trees for them. Bright colored bird.

Sheep Guard

One Of These Things Are Not Like The Other

I came across a large field of sheep protected by this dog. He charged the fence running along in pace with me until I was clear.

A Reminder

Happiness Is

Road Signs

Just Follow The Signs

Virginia and Kentucky have all the roads labeled. I am figuring it out.