Blue Ridge Parkway

Well, the plan for today was to ride 43 miles to Blowing Rock, NC. I had no food. Both restaurants at this location did not open until 11 am. Two bikers that I had chatted with went and got me a couple of sausage BISCUITS-GREAT GUYS! ONCE AT Blowing Rock, I would get a room and rest for 2-3 days. I did not make it. POOPED! I hitch hiked a ride with a gentleman,Mr. SMITH. He took me to Wilkesboro,NC, where I got a rental car, and headed for Lagrange. I had ridden 364 miles, and climbed 33,000 vertical feet. On four days I did over one mile of climbing. (I hope to resume/ finish this ride soon)

I got up and packed early. This was to be a long day. There are constraints to travellig the BRP, Food, water, lodging and/ or camping are rarely together. Sometimes this requires a long ride. I carried extra water and food-can you say HEAVIER LOAD? I found water about 60 miles into the ride. It was a long day, but I made it to a biker bar/motel for the night. One days rest was not enough. Much of the ride today wal along a corridor of huge rhodendron. Very pleasant.

Rest Day-yaaaa! I slept in this am-7:30. Wow! I walked to the local cafe and had breakfast. I'm eating all I can. I did laundry, shopped a little, and read a lot  My fanny did not touch a bike seat today. I walked back for dinner. It was just good 'ok country cooking Including the cobbler. I located the owner of the phone that I found on the road, and called him to return it. He wanted me to bring it to him. Can you say millenial. It was 51 degrees when I went out this am. NICE!

Today was the toughest day for me so far. My companion Tony decided to head for Pensacola this morning. He got a rental car and headed south. THERE was no place to eat near the hotel, so I began a day of junk food, and sparse water supply, a SAG car would be great, ok so be creative. Perhaps, I  was just tired from six straight days of riding. Suck it up! I made it to an area where I'd stayed before about 5:30-a motel, hot shower, a cafe with great food, and a bed. Life is good again. I ate squash, okra,pinto beans,green beans, and two pieces of blueberry pie. I'm ready!

We get an early start most days. We left the EMT facility and went back to the small cafe/gas station/grocery store/legal aid/income tax service. In small towns one has to multi-task. It was amusing how our evening there progressed-from a tent in their back yard,to under the back porch, and finally inside the a/c building. Today was to be a difficult day-climb 2100 vf in the first twelve miles. THERE are mile markers like below, so we could keep up with distance and location.

Today was nice, the views from the lookout points are spectacular, one can see for 30-40miles. We made it to Big Island, VA. THERE was no place to camp, but we found a good place to eat. The waitress told there was a fire department, so my companion Tony talked them into letting us SLEEP in the MET building. He is a retired fireman.

We made it to a place called Love, VA. I know why- THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO DO THERE! The past two days have been relatively easy, but still with a lot of climbing. I slept on the floor, but it was indoors. These pics were taken from a sideline about 2800 ft above sea level.

Today was a little easier. Weather has been good. Temperatures are mild. The area was called Loft Mountain. Food is an issue travelling this way.

What a Day? We had to climb to get onto the BRP, a constant 5-7% grade.There was only one place to stay at that distance. It was called Skyland Resort. It was the only game in town. We rode 43 miles, and climbed 5689 ft.

On the drive to Front Royal today, we stopped at the Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport. Please go if you are in the DC area. The shuttle Discovery was there, so much history. The "Ebola Gay" is also there.

I made it to Bill's house finally  The train  was 5 1\2 hours late. We'd planned to go sailing on his boat, but water pump problems prevented that- is a gorgeous boat. We resorted to an old standby. Here piggy piggy.

 Mike Grice drove me to ATL today. Of course we stopped at the Varsity for an internal greasing. I'd not ridden on a train in over 70 years-actually, that is many years before I was born.  The train was 3 1/2 hours in departing ATL. The pic below is my new ride. The pic above is inside the train car-quite nice and spacious.