Our voyage across the country is quickly coming to a close. It seems that every day we ride more than we had expected, resulting in an end date that was originally August 30th, then 20th, the 10th, and now the 8th!
The feel of the communities we are traveling through has been rapidly changing again. Gone are the Deliverance-esk scenes of rural Kentucky. We've had our fill of ratty trailers and even dirtier dogs. Crossing the state line into Virginia was like a breath of fresh air. In this dignified land, lawns were mowed, houses were firmly attached to their foundations, and the locals speak in a distinguished southern drawl. Today I had the pleasure of shopping at an all-organic market, and reading the Wall Street Journal for the first time in nearly 2 months! The biting smell of bulk flax seed and oats at the market instantly brought me back to grocery shopping at home in San Francisco. I miss good food!
The Appalachian mountains are turning out to be a BRUTAL ride. It seems whoever laid out the road system here decided to go straight over the mountains instead of following riverbeds and ridges, as is the style in the west. It seems there is never a break; we're either going straight up or straight down, there is no in between.
Yesterday our path crossed with the Appalachian Trail. This 2200 mile hiking trail runs through the mountain range running north-south. We had the opportunity to meet with a couple of hikers who had been out on the trail for 75 days. As bicyclists we are used to being on the bottom of the transportation totem pole. When we found out they had only managed to cover only 700 miles in that many days, we started to feel pretty good about our progress. :-) They were funny guys who obviously enjoyed a little (a lot) of herb on their trip. They had taken to wearing Hawaiian Sarongs, or skirts as they were calling them. It was a funny interaction, as these guys had obviously been on the road for a LONG time.
Finding Our Way. All Photos.
Following the "76" bike route across Virginia. Same route as the "BikeCentennial" in 1976! Left to right: John, Doug, Heather, Jackson, Dave. All Photos. 
John in the Rolling Virginia Countryside. All Photos. 
Either the Baptists have a REALLY good sense of humor, or they are completely oblivious. All Photos. 
3 comments:
hi doug so close i have been watching your progress and look foward to new posts i am waiting for the day you get to the ocean. getting ready to go ride on the katy trail take care kay
Hi Doug, I can't believe you're almost to the east coast. Great pictures, so much fun to browse. Be safe. Lots of love sent your way by your Carelli family! Lois
Thanks Kay and Aunt Lois! Nice to hear from you both!
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