Day 67 - 68 Miles to Breaks, VA

Thursday, July 31 - 68 miles to Breaks, VA, 3,900 total miles. Virginia, my last state! And only 9 more days til I finish! Ate breakfast at the B&B - cold cereal, orange juice, coffee, banana, and a peach. It was a tough one today. The heavy rain began before my tent was taken down so it is soaking wet - no way am I camping tonite. It rained most of the day and mostly it was pretty refreshing. Had 4 significant climbs but the one on Rte. 611 was horrible and tough as places in the road were washed away. But I made it. Coal trucks went by & I was covered in road grime although at times there was no traffic. Snacked on a bagel, apple, and plum. Stopped at a dairy bar for lunch and the workers were surprised that a customer came in. I asked, "what do you have?" and the reply was "not much." I ate a loaded hamburger (lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, etc.) and a chocolate milkshake. No wildlife today.

I ended up at Breaks Interstate Park, one of only 2 interstate parks in the nation. Breaks is on the border of Virginia and Kentucky, 7 miles east of Elkhorn, KY and 8 miles south of Haysi, VA. Breaks is the Grand Canyon of the South. The lodge is on top of the mountain and I had to run the heat to get warmed up when I arrived. People were wearing sweaters outside. And for the first time in ages, I took a bath. I had to get all the grime off of me! Dinner was at the lodge restaurant which had a nice view looking across the mountain. Ate meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and pecan pie ala mode.

Footnote - Eastern Kentucky didn't live up to the negative hype heard from other cyclists. Drivers were courteous, roads in good shape (lack of guardrails, though), and no dogs chased after me. Trailer homes, however, are placed right at the edge of the road, not the shoulder. Scary.

I kept the heat on last night!

Day 66 - 44 Miles to Hindman

Wednesday, July 30 - 44 miles to Hindman, 3,832 total miles. Breakfast was a special order of pancakes made for me. Normally the cafe heats up pre-made pancakes but I told them about my experience out West with pancakes so they rose to the occasion. Had pancakes, 4 slices of bacon, and coffee. The special pancakes rivaled the western pancakes! No wildlife today. Lunch was a peanut butter and cinnamon raisin bagel and candy. It was hot but not sweaty today. I have had an incredible craving for fresh fruit and gorge every chance. I had four plums in a row! Looks like I wrap up in about ten days. I'm spending tonight camping in Hindman, KY at the Historical Society B&B catering to cyclists. David met me at the top of the hill with a glass of fresh ice tea and an offer for a shower and use of his computer. Dinner was pork chops, cole slaw, green beans, and a banana split. Tomorrow should be my last day in KY. --Tom

Day 65 - 75 Miles to Buckhorn

Tuesday, July 29 - 75 miles to Buckhorn, 3,784 total miles. Moderately hilly with a couple of significant climbs. No rain today, it's a nice country and nice people. Saw 1 deer. Got off course and took a right instead of a left; climbed 2 miles at a 6% incline. I said to myself, "I don't think this is right." Consulted with a local person for about 10 minutes about the route and decided to continue on and get back on course up ahead rather than backtrack. Had a hamburger for lunch. I set up my tent in the primitive section of the campground. Dinner was salmon cakes, country fried potatoes, pinto beans, cornbread, tomatoes, and a huge side salad. Tonite's a laundry night, too.

Day 64 - 46 Miles to Berea

Monday, July 28 - 46 miles to Berea. Began the day with breakfast at the Huddle House - one waffle, eggs, bacon, and coffee. Took it slow and easy to give my body time to recover (I was worn out from last week's climbs). Saw one westbound cyclist heading to Seattle. No wildlife. Found a decent room at a Day's Inn and there'll be breakfast for me in the morning. I was heading out for lunch after showering but buckets of rain descended upon me so I turned back. Took a nap instead, it felt so good! The rain stopped so I headed out again to Subway for a sandwich, coke, and 3 cookies. I planned on saving 2 cookies for later but couldn't make up my mind and ended up eating all 3 right then.

Day 63 - 45 Miles to Harrodsburg

Sunday, July 27 - 45 miles to Harrodsburg, 3,666 total miles. Had a Belgian waffle, cereal, banana, coffee, and orange juice for breakfast. Today was hot, the hills were rolling and moderate. Kathy found a great place to wait for me midway at Lincoln Homestead State Park. Besides the old buildings and a golf course, the park had flush toilets, a bench under a tree where she was reading when I startled her (she wasn't expecting me to arrive so fast), and no one other than golfers was around. I checked into the Economy Inn where we had a late lunch - a turkey and ham sandwich, potato chips, more fruit, and gatorade. Kathy and I drove around Harrodsburg to scope out dinner possibilities for me but nothing was open other than Wendy's and Huddle House. That's been my experience lately with restaurants closed down for lack of staff or due to the economy. Before leaving for home, Kathy made me a sandwich which I ate for dinner along with potato chips, 3 candy bars, and a moon pie. Not very substantial but the other choices didn't excite me. I miss my honey! I sent a few more things home as I wind down my journey. My tentative schedule for the last 2 weeks is:

Berea, KY - Mon. - 7/28
Buckhorn, KY - Tues. - 7/29
Hindman, KY - Wed. - 7/30
Elkhorn, KY - Thurs. - 7/31
Damascus, VA - Fri. - 8/1
Wytheville, VA - Sat. - 8/2
Christianburg, VA - Sun. - 8/3
Buchanan, VA - Mon. - 8/4
Vesuvius, VA - Tues. - 8/5
Charlottesville, VA- Wed. -8/6
Mineral, VA - Thurs. -8/7
Mechanicsville, VA - Fri. - 8/8
Yorktown, VA - Sat. - 8/9

Two Views of Tom Eating A Pluot

What in the world is a pluot? It's a hybrid cross of 3/4's plum and 1/4 apricot. Very juicy and good to eat! Tom ate 4 of them today.

Tom Out of Character at Comfort Inn, Bardstown 7-26 Ahhh!