June 26
Afton, VA to Mallard Duck Campground 8 mi E. of Lexington, VA
44 miles
We’re out of the Piedmont and into the Appalachians. It’s a whiter, more Confederate world. BUT, the ride that got us here was amazing. The word of the day was ASCEND! Thanks to our ultralow gearing (Granny) we pedaled our beasts of burden up and down the lush Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway, actually enjoying ourselves along this 27 mile section. It was slow going, though, and I was gleeful when ML, the head navigator, announced we only had seven more miles before we DESCENDED, as in a long descent to a store with cold drinks and provisions. Well, 7 miles took a long time to dissolve into 6 and 5 and so on. The sun blazed; we pedaled. The descent was a challenge of a different kind; 3 miles down a winding road so steep that we had to stop twice to let our rims cool down. A real forearm workout from applying brakes.
Scrounging up a meal in these parts is the challenge of the day. Even after viewing the old one room log cabin where a typical family of 14 would live and cook over a wood fire (exhibit on the Blue Ridge), I felt pretty sorry for our hungry selves as we surveyed the dusty, scantily stocked shelves of Gertie’s Country Store. The friendly folk there served us up grilled cheese and a “chef’s” salad and we rode off with Cambell’s mushroom soup and pasta for dinner.
A note to readers: We are camping more now with minimal access to the Internet, so our posts may be less frequent. Please continue to leave comments - we read and enjoy them all.
Intrepid Travelers,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're having a variety of experiences, mostly good. Did you bring a miniature tripod to photograph both of you or do you simply set the camera on your bike seat and time the shutter action? Either way, your pics have been great. We've sent your blogspot to more relatives so they can enjoy your travels.
Let us know when you get close to the Rockies so we can HOPEFULLY provide some mobile overnight accommodations for you while going up and over. Continue having a real hoot.
paulandsuzi
Hi goils,
ReplyDeleteThe jealous-o-meter keeps going up (getting on towards as hot as your rims!) . But I cool down once I imagine you on the road and think about your adventures. Being a virtual sidekick is almost as good.
Today is sunny and beautiful here. We just ate some cherries and are beginning to pick raspberries in the alley. Strawberries in the back yard. Almost, but not quite, peaches!
I sure hope that peach pie was good! and wards off further meals of Campbell's soups (blech!) Eat enough to replenish those mighty quads.
Andy and I are figuring out how to weave into today an acknowledgement of 33 years of marriage. Actually yesterday was the official day. Oddly sweet. We usually don't do much but there is something about the two 3's.
The car show is at the top of the hill so we're off to take a gawk.
We'll see how much the internet and wi-fi have spread out there in the hinterlands.
Pedal on in good health and spirits.
Love and kisses,
Carolyn
Hi Kathleen and Mary Lou! I'm not sure how your big adventure slipped past my radar (especially in our communicative neighborhood!) but I sure am glad you sent me the link to this blog. I can't wait to follow your travels. It already looks like you guys are having fun. Ride safe!
ReplyDeleteA sunday Hi,
ReplyDeleteSteve and I went to yoga today and missed you two. We worked on our quads extra hard!
Tonight it's burgers as the sun shines and a cool breeze blows. Hope you are eating burgers in Virginia!
I just realized it is the first week down! One notch on the ole pannier!
XO
Carolini