8:45 am departure from Christiansburg finishing in Buchaman, VA by 4:30.I reached 2,000 total miles today for my trip, a milestone for me!! I figure I've got about 600 more miles to Buxton and about 11 more riding days. I think we'll make it after all!!
On my way to go get our breakfast this AM from The Burger King around the corner the fog slowly burns off around our motel in downtown Christiansburg. 
As we progressed through the hills of the Shenandoah Valley this morning the fog migrates to low clouds around the mountains.
Beautiful country riding this morning mostly on one or two lane back roads on undulating hills. The morning offered low traffic as people slept in or moved slowly into their holiday morning. The cool, damp morning gave way to humidity and higher traffic volumes as people drove to their backyard BBQ's or other Memorial Day activities.
We rode consistently for 28 miles through the morning pushing towards a rest stop with food service at this spot in Catawba but the Memorial Day holiday found it closed. Nothing for more than 15 miles ahead we dipped into our pack food of carmel covered peanuts, trail mix, Cliff Bars and Peanut M&M's. Charlie, in the red jersey next to me, started in Yorktown a week ago with his daughter. She just pulled off yesterday as planned and now Charlie will finish the trip solo to Portland. He has 12 weeks off from his DC city job to make it to the Pacific and return home. His recumbent bike will make his upcoming hills all the more challenging.
John went next door to beg for water and found crazy Kenny the Bluegrass band man setting up for his BBQ and kindly offered us water from his home. I'm still uncomfortable around guys (other than cops) packing side arms but I guess Kenny wanted to be ready in case trouble broke out in Catawba.
We pushed on through the warming afternoon to find a real meal at Wendy's in Daleville. Now about 3pm we have 20 miles to go to Buchanan. We weren't expecting any restaurants around the only hotel around Buchanan so John volunteered to make a run to Krogers next door for a "picnic" dinner in our room. 
After everyone had gone home for the night we moved under the pavilion and had our picnic dinner of cheese, salami, bread, hummus, crackers, apples and Pinot Grigio to wash it down with. Simple, healthy and tasty!!
As thunder storms moved in for the evening we witnessed a great light show of distant lightning over the hills of the Shenandoah Valley. John still won't sleep without his tent but at least he brought it under the pavilion and kept the fly off. I'm getting my sleep on top of the picnic table again, after removing the food of course!! It's almost 11 pm now I've got to upload this post and get some sleep. We may have a big day tomorrow climbing up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, our last big climb of the trip. Then on to Charlottesville the next day to reunite with my bride, Angela, followed by a down day. I can't wait!!⏲
On my way to go get our breakfast this AM from The Burger King around the corner the fog slowly burns off around our motel in downtown Christiansburg. As we progressed through the hills of the Shenandoah Valley this morning the fog migrates to low clouds around the mountains. Beautiful country riding this morning mostly on one or two lane back roads on undulating hills. The morning offered low traffic as people slept in or moved slowly into their holiday morning. The cool, damp morning gave way to humidity and higher traffic volumes as people drove to their backyard BBQ's or other Memorial Day activities. We rode consistently for 28 miles through the morning pushing towards a rest stop with food service at this spot in Catawba but the Memorial Day holiday found it closed. Nothing for more than 15 miles ahead we dipped into our pack food of carmel covered peanuts, trail mix, Cliff Bars and Peanut M&M's. Charlie, in the red jersey next to me, started in Yorktown a week ago with his daughter. She just pulled off yesterday as planned and now Charlie will finish the trip solo to Portland. He has 12 weeks off from his DC city job to make it to the Pacific and return home. His recumbent bike will make his upcoming hills all the more challenging. John went next door to beg for water and found crazy Kenny the Bluegrass band man setting up for his BBQ and kindly offered us water from his home. I'm still uncomfortable around guys (other than cops) packing side arms but I guess Kenny wanted to be ready in case trouble broke out in Catawba. We pushed on through the warming afternoon to find a real meal at Wendy's in Daleville. Now about 3pm we have 20 miles to go to Buchanan. We weren't expecting any restaurants around the only hotel around Buchanan so John volunteered to make a run to Krogers next door for a "picnic" dinner in our room. Just outside Buchanan we spotted what looked like a city park with a pool and campers just outside. Turned out it was a private Baptist park and they were shutting down in 90 minutes at 6. John is shown here sweet talking our way into their good graces to let us camp over night and use their showers.
Splash!! John got us in and for $6 we could use the pool too!!!
After everyone had gone home for the night we moved under the pavilion and had our picnic dinner of cheese, salami, bread, hummus, crackers, apples and Pinot Grigio to wash it down with. Simple, healthy and tasty!! As thunder storms moved in for the evening we witnessed a great light show of distant lightning over the hills of the Shenandoah Valley. John still won't sleep without his tent but at least he brought it under the pavilion and kept the fly off. I'm getting my sleep on top of the picnic table again, after removing the food of course!! It's almost 11 pm now I've got to upload this post and get some sleep. We may have a big day tomorrow climbing up to the Blue Ridge Parkway, our last big climb of the trip. Then on to Charlottesville the next day to reunite with my bride, Angela, followed by a down day. I can't wait!!⏲
Scott - I've continued to enjoy your posts, though I have had to read them in batches. Based on where you are, it should all be "down hill" from there! Make sure that when you get to the Atlantic Ocean, we have pictures of you and Angela jumping into the surf (with full biking gear on!).
ReplyDeleteContinued safe travels!
Stuart