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.

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.

Gabriel the Lab

I forgot, I felt like I was at home with a dog on my bed. This was at the Cookie Lady. He jumped on my sleeping bag on the couch and got comfy.

The Mirror

I forgot to talk about the helmet mirror. I never used it before my trip. It is not for me. I spent four hours the first day adjusting it and couldn't get it to see past my shoulder.  I stuck it way out and it gave me eye strain.

I got rid of it. I have no mirror but I listen for cars. When I find a bike store, I will get one. I never did get a mirror.

Pictures

Day 4 The End

My thinking fell apart. I ended up at a Budget Hotel. I have to plan better. I saw a group of bikers across the street in a Church. They are riding across America in 83 days not sure their destination. They paid for a guide including a support van to carry their stuff, and bike mech. They said there is another group a week ahead of me.

Day 4 Blue Ridge

Day 4 The Hills

Monster Downhill At The End Look At The Plunge

I woke up very tired. I did not sleep well and my eyes are very puffy. Left Afton and the hill was immediate. The road was called the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was relentless. Although tiring, it was absolutely beautiful. So much different than the Cascades because the green growth of the trees was so abundant.  There were rarely any cars.  I was at peace.  All I could hear was birds chirping. I ran out of time and got caught in the rain that evening. I was headed for a KOA campground but I had  my first paid room instead.

Day 3 The Cookie Lady

I ended the day at "The Cookie Lady" house in Afton, VA. There was a large hill at the end of the day to get there. I spent the night there with Dan and Briane, their kids, and the dog Gabriel.  See the pictures. It was very interesting. She must have been a very nice lady. After she passed away, she left the house for bikers to stay at.  Briane gave me some Oriole Cookies to honor her.

Day 3 Monticello

Beautiful

Liked This

Lewis and Clark

I rode by Monticello.  Monticello was the primary plantation of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, who began designing and building Monticello at age 26 after inheriting land from his father.

Day 3 Rain

I woke to rain and it rained and rained. I'm StormyJames so I didn't mind.  Stormy because I like stormy weather and James is my middle name.  The roads were mostly rolling country roads. I met a young fellow at the country store.  He chatted with me.  He said his name was Billy, grew up local, lived here his entire life.  He started tree-cutting at 14 and now he was 31.  I said Virginia is beautiful.  I noted all the beautiful plantations and green country land.  He said the "Civil War burned down many of them"  I was going to lock my bike, but Billy laughed and said, "this is Virginia, you don't have to do that." The day ended with the start of tomorrows climb.

Day 2 Nice Weather, Nice People

Be Safe Coin 

Brooks

The weather is beautiful. I got lost again today so I figured I better start using the maps. I stayed the night behind a fire station in Mineral, VA.  I camped in the grass by a pavilion.  No shower. Three nice locals came up to me. Bicycle Bill Alewine (like alcohol) was the first. He was retired Pentagon Army. He had the same bike I had.  He got it for Christmas. He said out of college, he and a few friends went to SEATAC Airport, unpacked their bikes and rode all across America. As our conversation ended, he said "I got something for you" and reached in his pocket. I knew what he was doing.  I said "do you have a coin?" I didn't. No worry. He handed me a mint never touched bicentennial (1776-1976) gold looking quarter in a hard plastic protection. He wished me safe travels. Another local pulled up in the grass with his Chevrolet 1500 pick-up. I thought I was in trouble. He was Brooks Besley. I said "how are you?" He said "no good".  I thought "oh-oh" but he was actually very nice.  He gave me a pencil, wished me luck, and safe travels.

Day 1 Good Night

Day 1 is finished. I spent the night at a Church.  It was an eventful day. I missed a turn today and came to a tunnel. No bikes allowed. Tried to shortcut through historic Williamsburg and came back to the same spot. I decided to go through the tunnel but it was clear and I rode fast.

United Methodist Church

Day 1 The Flag

Stars and Bars

The Confederate Flag is flown on many back roads homes and yards. I saw the flag waving in the air attached to a few trucks.

Day 1 I'm Hungry

I will eat these snacks in less than two days

Day 1 History