Day 18 June 4th Axtel Campground to Sebree, KY

We had breakfast at Rough Falls Resort. A very nice buffet that we made full use of.  People fly in to the resort just for the breakfast.

These people were so nice just to give us water and oranges when we stopped at their house. We met the dog and their son!

 

Day 17 June 3rd Springfield to Axtel Campround near Falls in the Rough, KY

 

I don't think our day started out with a plan to ride 93 miles, but I am very happy we did as we decided to go off the route to see Lincoln's boyhood home and his one room school. There was much history that I did not know about him.  He was not from a poor family by standards of the time.  His father owned land. He was the only child to not pursue farming like the rest of the family. Historians do not know what his parents thought of this and if they encouraged him at all.

Day 16 June 2 Berea KY to Springfield KY

 

Day 15 June 1 Boonville to Berea, KY

 Got a 6:30ish start From Boonesville, Kentucky 

Stayed at a very nice Methodist church. It had a large basketball court that we slept on and a very nice cooking area where we made a great dinner and breakfast.

The ride to Berea was hilly and hot but not as bad as other days...Staying at a nice holiday inn express early stop to get rested.

Did encounter dogs but no problems and numerous dump trucks

Eric

Day 14 May 31st Hindman to Booneville, KY

Our day started with coffee at the Hazard Coffee Roasters. Bill and I then waited at the Hazard Post Office for an hour and a half for our package from Amazon. It was with the UPS delivery man.  We were successful in getting my mirror and Bill's charger cord.  The postman actually hand-carried the package out to us as he knew we had been waiting.  After that we had a very long day of climbing 6000' in 72 miles.  We have the best device to ward off dogs - the air horn. Works like a charm. The dogs stop immediately. Our destination was the methodist church. We slept in the gym on big tumbling mats. We had a huge commercial kitchen at our disposal and hot showers. The day ended well.

Day 13 Elkhorn to Hindman, KY

 We left at 6 am this morning to get in 60 miles with 4,380 ft of elevation before it got too hot. It did get too hot but we made it. In this area of the country Angie and I have determined there are 100 churches to every 1 medical clinic.  I think that is why these religious people let God heal them - they don't have medical help near by.  It is an area that no doctor would want to come to. Towns are small or empty and homes are spread apart. The further out we went the poorer and more derellict the homes were.  But the churches are everywhere!  They were not derellict.

 We met our first black bear.  When he saw us he headed back into the forest. As we rode on we saw his trail.  Every garbage can that was not locked in a bear proof container was knocked over and garbage was spread everywhere. Two dogs bothered us but we found that our air horns work great to stop them. The photo of me with coffee and food is my first time eating convenience store breakfast sandwiches.  They were delicious though the clerk said "Our fried chicken is the best".  The grey church building is where we are staying. The First Baptist Church. The first two pictures show the space inside we have taken over.  The other pictures are just are what you typically see along the way. 

We had our first ice cream score at DQ in Hindman.  

 

Day 12: Summary of What We’ve Accomplished So Far & Our Intrepid Team

• Virginia done, in the bag
• Miles rode from Yorktown VA to Elkhorn City KY: 612 miles
• Elevation Climbed: 38,605 ft
• Average Speed: 10.3 mph
• We have spent the night in 3 Warmshowers, 2 hotels, 4 camping sites, 1 hostel, 1 fire station, 1 City Hall

We have fallen into a comfortable rhythm, operating as a cohesive and supportive team. On Day 6 we had a minor blip when it looked like Eric was going to have to abandon the mission and head back and help with an issue on the homefront. We had said our goodbyes, but after sleeping on it and talking it out, his people encouraged him they had it covered and he should continue the ride. We were so glad to get the call the morning of Day 7 that Eric was back on! 

At first we were trying to figure out our pace. Bill tends to power ahead with Leisa and Eric not far behind. Angie is further back. Bill tried to even things about by carrying more and more of Angie’s stuff which helped a little. Somewhere around Troutville VA he had an epiphany that this was not a timed event with a push to the destination, but a TOUR where the journey is the point. So now he has slowed down a bit, is taking more photos and talking to more people and happy for the change.

We get up early, make coffee and instant oatmeal. We have a sort of “morning huddle” to talk about the next destination or options. We break down our tents, pack up our gear and are on the road between 5:30a to 8a depending on the day ahead and the heat. We have a “second breakfast” at the next coffee shop, restaurant or grocery store. We regroup often, snack often and reach our destination well before dusk. We make and eat dinner, we try to blog and we are in bed by 8pm, pretty wiped out. 

We are perfecting the art of gourmet cooking with stuff you can buy at the Dollar Store. Typical ingredients include a base of ramen or microwave rice with a pouch of tuna or can of chicken, canned greens beans, frozen broccoli, fried chicken from a truck stop, maybe some olives or whatever we can scrounge. Heat it all up in a Jet Boil and jazz it up with things like packets of salt, dollop of peanut butter, some cashews, individual pats of butter, maybe some catsup, red chili flakes. Everything tastes so damn good! We have been really lucky lately with kindly strangers feeding us or giving us coffee.

We are together all day, everyday and totally enjoy each other. No complainers here! It is so nice to be around like minded people that are positive, enthusiastic and full of gratitude. 

Day 12 from Council, VA across the State Line to Elkhorn, KY

Today we woke up in our virtually private community park area in Council, VA. We had a lovely quiet evening complete with Wi-Fi from the community pool literally 25 yards from the pavilion we claimed for the evening.

We woke with a stiff climb out of the William P Harris park followed by spectacular rolling and quiet roads heading towards the state line. We made a quick stop at a friendly looking grocery store as we always want to have at least one meal in our packs at all time. In this case we purchased a few pieces of fresh fruit. As Leisa was wandering the store looking for fresh coffee, Fran, a super friendly store clerk ushered Leisa to the employee area and not only poured her a cup but made us all a fresh pot of coffee. How’s that for some Sunday morning Virginia hospitality? The restroom in the staff area had a couple of hilarious posters for staff.

We then proceeded through a town called Birchleaf and started a super steep climb to the town of Breaks. Prior to descending to the actual town we took a nice long stop for lunch Breaks Interstate Park and had lunch at a super pretty little lake followed by a brief tour the Visitors Center. I had no idea the famously feuding families of the Hatfields and McCoys were from this area.

Following the leisurely stop at the Park we then proceed across the State Line into Kentucky where we were hosted at the Elkhorn, KY city building. The Mayor, Mike Taylor let us into the modest building (also houses the local police and volunteer fire department) and then delivered us some delicious pulled pork, buns and coleslaw.

We have the whole building to ourselves so we took some time to perform minor bike maintenance, lubing and clean up for our continued journey. We got to the building relatively early but it was also heating up outside so getting into an air conditioned building and having dinner delivered by the mayor was definitely special.

Tomorrow we have a huge day of 68 miles and 6,900 ft elevation. It’s also supposed to get to the upper 80’s so we plan to get up around 4:30am and hit the road by 5am.

May 29th Thoughts about Virginia as we leave

As I rode today, I saw two cars, a large construction tractor and a mobile home that were slowly being taken over by the Virginia vegetation.  Soon there will be no trace of them in the undergrowth.  That is how verdant Virginia is.  I leave with the desire to return and spend more time here.  The history and beauty are boundless. The history is like rediscoverig who I am and what I am about.  I come away in awe of the settlers who first came here.  Now that I have traveled some of their path, I am imagining how hard it must have been.  We are not traveling at a fast pace, but we make their time in wagons, carriages and by horse seem forever.  Our experience in tents and "cooking" our own food gives me perspective on their travels.  I cannot call our trip hard.  It is enlightening. 

I look forward to Kentucky.  Our first night has proved kindness exists here, too.  The mayor of Elkhorn has given us shelter in the local town hall.  Right in the town hall meeting room!  He brought us pulled pork and coleslaw for our dinner. In the town hall are boxes of sweet potatos, tomatos and all kinds of packaged food that are the town's food bank.  Mayor Mike Taylor has said "Help yourself."   If this is any indication of Kentucky, we should have another great state ride.

I would like to note that most of our great accommodations have come from Angie's great work contacting Warm Shower people and calling ahead on where to stay and navigating the route for us.  Thanks so much, Angie.  She has set a very high standard that I hope to just come close to when it is my area of the country to navigate!   Maybe you all should start praying now that I get us through.

Leisa