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.

Churches of the South

Old Church

I have seen many Churches so far. Some grand and some small. Mostly Methodist and Baptist. Some of the small Churches are very remotely located. Some open themselves to bicyclists to spend the night. This Church captured my eye.

Three Crosses

Random Crosses

 I noticed this display of three crosses, and many times more.

Day 6 Summary

It was another rolling hills day. I am camping in the hard rain tonight. I am at a primitive camp site. I couldn't decide if I should place the tent on the leaves from last fall or the dirt. I placed it on the dirt. Big mistake, it rained very hard. The tent held, but was filthy dirty from the splashing ground. I lay in my tent sticky. It was still raining when I woke. Put the tent away wet and dirty and packed the bike. I thought about my Wife. I worry if she worries about me.
I have three observations. One. My lime green rain jacket may blend with the green foliage, so I switched to red or yellow. Two, butane fuel canisters are difficult to find. Three, either I don't know how to use my T-Mobile phone or it has terrible coverage.

Purple Weeds

Every Thing Is Beautiful In Its Own Way

I see many different flowers in bloom. I suppose these are a weed, but against the trimmed field, they were pretty.

Is This True

Welcome?

I was encouraged when I saw this sign at a couple of cities. I called the number and then was discouraged to find out the number was the Police and they knew nothing about the information on the sign. They didn't know there was a sign. So I would continue.