Day off…..finally
We rode 55 miles yesterday ending in Damascus, va. Our cumulative mileage in just under 500. As we rode yesterday we noticed that schools were open. I was told that memorial day was originally established at the end of the civil war to honor the union troops lost in the battle. Down here they’re still fighting the war so they symbolically don’t recognize the holiday. I’m really not sure if this stuff is all true, but it makes a pretty good story. I certainly couldn’t pass joeys country kitchen so it was a delicious mid morning coffee and French toast stop. We had three long climbs, one was about 6 miles with no break, but the grade was only 3-5 degrees so it wasn’t a problem and of course the long climb were rewarded with screaming down hills. Damascus is a small town that survives on tourist services. The trans am bike trail crosses the Appalachian trail plus there’ s lots of mountain bike trails. I met a couple in town today who are taking 6 months to hike to complete trail with their dog, Einstein. We are staying in a very rustic camp for the layover. I lucked out and was able to snag a cabin. Bed and electricity but no sink or toilet. I was able to latch the screen door and was serenaded by a small river running just outside the room. Best night’s sleep so far. For the last three or four days we’ve been crossing over and under interstate 81. I couldn’t help but remember the cross country trip I made in 2005 with TOM BRUCCOLERI when we left newtown Monday morning and had lunch in san diego on Thursday. I’m sure as we raced along I-81 and I-40 I must have had some fleeting thoughts of seeing the country at a civilized pace. The mind works in funny ways while pedaling mile after mile. There’s a definitely rhythm that occurs and becomes almost meditative. I was riding for a short distance directly adjacent to I-81(see photo). An incident from the early ‘70s popped into my mind. I was driving along a very congested cross Westchester expressway with beth and ami’s great great grandmother, beth blum sitting in the back seat. Out of the clear blue she makes the observation “wouldn’t it be nice if all those people on the road were riding bicycles instead of cars”. She was quite a lady!!!!! Today has been very relaxing. Leisurely breakfast, then into town to do laundry. Went to the post office and picked up a wonderful care package from caryn. A box of every kind of candy available at bob evans. Actually it was an anniversary gift as today marks 18 years of wedded bliss. It will be very interested to see how refreshed I am when we get back on the road tomorrow after a day off the bike. We’ll see.