Addendum

You can never give or get too many high fives.

Addendum

......and only one flat tire for the girly and one for the mom.

Expect addendums for awhile.

3851 miles!

We did it! 3581 miles later, Jackie and I pedaled into the Wake Forest School of Medicine. The mom was waiting with a celebratory bottle of champagne. It was a great trip. We arrived and showered before going to the Olive Garden and eating a ton of food. After that we headed to the REI to get the remaining items needed for the roof rack system on the sag. When we returned to the hotel, Jackie and I began installing the racks while the mom cleaned out the cooler and did a last load of our very stinky laundry. Jackie's dad arrived and we went out to eat downtown in his convertible. We had a very good celebratory meal in a great restaurant. It was hilarious how nice everyone there was. The hostess, our waitress, and the restaurant owner were all engaging and interested in us and our trip. They were suggesting places to live, and even giving me phone numbers of people to call when apartment searching. Yet again we were overwhelmed with kindness.

Upon returning, the mom and I snuggled into our beds. It is great to not be camping! Today the search for an apartment begins.

Some final stats from the trip.

The mom rode over 2800 miles with me from Portland to just south of St Louis. She rode her bike for 50 days (which come out to an average of over 56 miles a day). She is amazing. There is no doubt in my mind that given even five more days to do the trip, she would have completed it with ease.

Jackie rode over 1200 miles with me from Iowa to North Carolina. It was great to have her company along the trip. She definitely rode over some of the most difficult terrain on the trip, in the heat, all without a triple crank. Wow!

That is all for the trip. Thanks for following! The comments, emails, facebook messages, and phone calls were a lot of fun along the way.

Things I learned while on this journey

People in the US are sooooo nice.

The US is wayyyyy more rural than urban.

There are many more cattle in Montana than people.

The major rivers in this country are very impressive.

There is way too much junk food and not enough fruit in the c-stores.

You can pedal your bike up anything if you have low enough gears.

Your wardrobe for 10 weeks can consist of all you can fit in one little pannier.

When you are really really cold you can always get warm. But when you are really really hot you can not always get cool.

The US women's soccer team is amazing.

I am still afraid of bears. Dogs, even mangy ones, not so much.

The limits of the mind are greater than the limits of the body.

We can bring our shelter anywhere and live with few belongings. Except our iPhones.

Ice cream is the answer and sometimes donuts, it depends on the time of the day

The girly is an amazing woman. Couldn't be prouder. So much fun.

People get out of your hollers and do something amazing.

Mission: Complete

Going out to eat a celebratory dinner with the mom, Jackie, and her dad (who is in town to pick her up). Will post final thoughts on the trip later!

The final state

Jackie and I made it to North Carolina! We are still pedaling through the last foothills of the Appalachians and will be arriving into Winston-Salem tomorrow. Wow.

We had a minor snafu today. With 16 miles to go, Jackie and I ran into the mom in Sparta. The mom and I had no cell service, so she was waiting for us outside of a cafe that had wifi. We chatted quickly about the route to the campground before heading off. The mom stayed in town to grab some groceries before quickly passing us on the road. Jackie and I saw her pass us and assumed she would be at the campsite long before we arrived. We were wrong. As we rolled into the campground, the mom was nowhere to be found. We sat down and waited for a while. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Thirty minutes. We were starting to get very upset with our sweaty chamois situation. Finally, after an hour the mom rolled up to our jubilation. Apparently she had taken a wrong turn and assumed we did too. Concerned, she was driving around looking for us to show us the correct way to the campground while we were patiently waiting at the site. In the end we all found each other and had an enjoyable afternoon and evening. Dinner and ice cream (large ice cream). Yum.

Destination tomorrow: Wake Forest Medical Center.

Getting closer

The mom, Jackie, and I woke up this morning at the Methodist Church/bike hostel. I made use of the kitchen and whipped up pancakes for the three of us. Yum. I even packed a peanut butter and syrup pancake sandwich for the road. We began pedaling up through more Appalachian Mountains. The first gap that we went through was beautiful and relatively pain free due to some serious switchbacks. Most of our earlier Appalachian climbs neglected to use switchbacks. We arrived quickly into Damascus, VA (where I ate my delicious peanut butter and syrup pancake sandwich) and decided to take the Virginia Creeper Trail to our campground for the night. The Creeper Trail is a converted rails to trails project. Since it lies in an old railway bed, the entire climb to the campground was very gradual. Furthermore, the trail was completely shaded. We climbed for 18 miles straight on an easy going 2% grade. It was a nice change from the perilous ups and downs of the road. Most of the people on the trail (actually all of them) get dropped off at the top and then coast their bikes the entire was back to Damascus. The grade was just slight enough that they would occasionally have to pedal gently. It was funny because it quickly became clear to Jackie and I that they had no idea how much harder we were working to pedal up the same path.

Tomorrow we begin our second to last day of pedaling into Stone Mountain State Park in NC. After that: Winston-Salem!

Big A Mountain

Jackie and I left this morning from Breaks, VA and immediately began pedaling uphill. This was to be a common theme of the day. It was overcast and cool but very humid.

After about 25 miles we reached the base of the Big A Mountain. We agreed that this must have stood for Big A** Mountain. The climb was long but beautiful. We snapped some pictures at the top before beginning our short descent, after which we climbed some more.

The mom had gone ahead and found us lodging at another church bike hostel. Not as fantastic as the one in Sebree, but great nonetheless. We cooked dinner in the kitchen and enjoyed the air-conditioning. Although we could sleep inside, we decided it would be best to camp outside since there will probably be church tomorrow.

How is this for irony: we are in the middle of nowhere in Virginia, camping with another couple from Palmer, AK. Awesome.

Addendum

Jackie made it over 1000 miles. Yippie

Palmer people

Today while the girlies were riding I met a couple from Palmer cycling cross country. Small world.

Virginia

This morning Jackie, the mom, and I woke from a great night of sleep camping outside of the Hindman Settlement School. It was overcast and relatively cool compared to past days. Our goal for the day was to make it to Virginia, about 70 miles away. The ride today had 4 very large climbs. We played leapfrog for most of the day with the couple who has been camping at the same location as us for the past several nights. It was fun to see them at the top of a hill, around a corner, or at the next turn. They also helped us battle off all of the crazy dogs we saw. None of the dogs today were very threatening, but it is still a pain to be on such high alert, wondering where the next one is going to jump out from. It began torrentially raining several times throughout the day and we were waterlogged. The mom, Jackie, and I decided to stay in a motel just over the Virginia border. Great success! As we crossed into Virginia, Jackie and I marveled over how pretty their welcome sign is. Perhaps the best yet. Only one more welcome sign to go, and we have high hopes for North Carolina. I almost want to google what it looks like but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

There was a BBQ smoke shack across from the motel and we all ate delicious southern BBQ. After that we did laundry and relaxed in the motel. Tomorrow we are riding to Rosedale.

Hindman Kentucky

The mom found the greatest camp spot at the settlement school in hindman. The first rural settlement school in the US to teach mountain children. Nearly everyone in town told the mom to stay clear of the historical society arrangement. Apparently it is run by a guy who likes to financially take advantage of passerbys. Instead the settlement school is free camping showers and bathroom. Yeah. The ride today was great. We have been sitting under a big tree for the past 5 hours watching for other cyclist. The tree is so big we did not even feel the raindrops from the afternoon showers. Tomorrow we ride into Virginia, a long hilly day.

Heels (hills?)

Today Jackie and I began the Appalachian heels. They were not too bad yet, especially since we didn't have our panniers. Instead we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and amazing descents. We are marveling over the fact that we have a week left to go. I can't believe how close we are after all of these weeks of pedaling.

The campground is nice and quiet and the mom had everything set up when we arrived. Furthermore, for the past three nights we have been camping at the same campgrounds as another couple. They are very friendly and let us borrow their floor pump. It is nice to have our tires at their optimal inflation. Tomorrow we are going to Hindman.

Appalachia here we come!

Jackie and I had a relatively short day to Berea. We would have liked to go further but the next place we could have stayed was 80+ miles.

The mom went ahead and found the campsite. She also reconnoitered the artisan district in town and found the best slow food movement restaurant! I had a roast beef, cheddar, horseradish sandwich on homemade bread. It was easily one of the best things I have eaten in months (aside from the cooking of Nora Vrakas). From the cafe we walked to the ice cream/fudge/chocolate shop. We were just like kids in a candy store! After contributing to the local economy, we crossed the tracks and went over to the evil empire... Walmart. Walmart was great, we found everything we needed and played a little bingo while we were there.

Tomorrow we begin the big hills!

Love the 4th of July. 5 days of fireworks not so much.

Last night as we settled into our tents for the night we were once again involved in someone's fireworks display. Unfortunately this time they were a little close. The were from the neighbors of the campground and the debris from the fireworks were landing on our tent. Not so hilarious. Add to that a freaked out barking dog 50 feet from our tents. After about an hour of this craziness we walked to the camp office and called the owner. We found a new flat spot away from all the craziness all at the lovely hour of 1100. Argggggg. Hopefully tonight will be uneventful.

Appalachia here we come!

Jackie and I had a relatively short day to Berea. We would have liked to go further but the next place we could have stayed was 80+ miles.

The mom went ahead and found the campsite. She also reconnoitered the artisan district in town and found the best slow food movement restaurant! I had a roast beef, cheddar, horseradish sandwich on homemade bread. It was easily one of the best things I have eaten in months (aside from the cooking of Nora Vrakas). From the cafe we walked to the ice cream/fudge/chocolate shop. We were just like kids in a candy store! After contributing to the local economy, we crossed the tracks and went over to the evil empire... Walmart. Walmart was great, we found everything we needed and played a little bingo while we were there.

Tomorrow we begin the big hills!

Addendum: I wasn't lost I just didn't know where I was

While driving the route this morning I took a turn at hwy 458 instead of hwy 438. Needless to say I did not catch up with the girlies. They were no where to be found. Anyway my drive was amazing. One lane bridges. Covered bridges. Dark winding curvy hilly roads.
Kind of missed my bike. Really a great road. When I did finally find the girls Katy was fixing her first flat of the trip.
Not too bad.

Happy Fourth of July!

We woke at the hotel and prepped for our day's ride (aka affixed our USA flags to our bikes). This whole trip had been such an American experience, it seemed appropriate.

The ride was mediocre. I got my first flat tire of the day. Then while changing it, I could not find what caused the flat even though I looked for almost ten minutes. We determined that the culprit must have fallen out of the tube. We were wrong, about a mile later the tube was flat again. Fortunately, this time I quickly found a stone through my tire and patched the hole. The one good thing about the ride was that we saw two baby bunnies. Very cute. We were disappointed that we did not see any Fourth of July parades and only one BBQ.

We arrived at the campsite to see the mom's fine sag work. Tents pitched and ready to go. After dinner we asked about dessert and were told they only had berry fried pie. They even fry their pies in the south! Needless to say, none of us were about to turn down fried pie. Delicious.

The donut distraction

I made a quick drive into bardstowm. Talked the hotel owner into letting is in at 11 instead of three. Found the Laundromat but was distracted by the donut shop next door. Bought donuts and made a delivery to the girlies. They were really moving and had already almost made it to town. Stormy tonight. Glad we are in a dry motel.

Short day

Today Jackie and I took a "rest day." We pedaled 28 fast miles to Bardstown, did laundry, ate, napped, ate, watched tv, and are now ready for bed!

Addendum

While sagging today saw many Amish families with their horse and buggies. Kind of strange seeing hitching posts in front of some the establishments.

Hey y'all

Honey, we're in the South now. The mom is drinking sweet tea like it's going out of style, there is nothing to eat but fried food and BBQ, and it's hot. Even all of the locals have been commenting on the heat.

Our ride today was 57 fast miles. Jackie was on the front pulling like she had a hot date to get to and I was just along for the ride. Fun! She even was able to find and eat a corn dog. We arrived to the campsite and the mom had set up both of our tents, scouted out food options in town, and coordinated with the pool man. Hot and sweaty, we all went for a swim. It was glorious. We then went out to eat (the food was not so glorious) and had ice cream (very glorious). The lady at the ice cream shop was "honey, baby, sweetie" to everyone and everything. It was great.

Tomorrow we have a short day to Bardstown and a hotel (with air conditioning!). It will be nice to have a short day and get a little rest.

Mangy mutts

Had a very uneventful day. 76 miles to the Rough River State Park. The only crazy thing is that we are noticing more and more dogs on the road. Not all of them want to be friends. One nipped at Jackie's heel today but didn't break the skin. Then, while descending, a little lap dog came bounding out of it's yard and we both nearly killed it. We narrowly missed it by only a couple inches. Scary. We are both now on hyper dog alert. Unfortunately, cyclists that we have passed say it only gets worse into Eastern Kentucky. Darn.

On a positive note, I had some authentic Kentucky fried chicken today. Yum. Also, the mom is ridiculously good at sagging (almost as good as she is at riding her bike).

Addendums

#1. The girlies are not allowed to call me The Sagging Mom.

#2. They are getting soft with the sag wagon. Just called me to buy camp chairs. I did.

Amazing

Today was the longest, most amazing day. I'll start at the beginning:

Jackie and I woke up, packed up camp, and pedaled the half mile to the Ohio River. Just as we arrived, the ferry was getting ready to leave. Perfect timing. The ferry operator told us a funny story about a guy who had ridden his bike to the ferry and was disappointed to find there was no road across. Determined to cross the country under his own power, he put his bike on the ferry and swam across!

The ride into Sebree was 56 miles of beautiful, lightly rolling hills. The temperatures were in the high 80s but the humidity was low, under 10%. As soon as we arrived into Kentucky, a Krispy Kreme donut truck passed us. Had I known it was behind me I would have set up a road block and demanded a donut!

We arrived early into the baptist church bike hostel. Words cannot describe this place (but I'm still going to try). The couple who are the head of the church have been hosting cyclists for over 30 years. Nine years ago they built an enormous addition on to the church. It has multiple rooms, an enormous game area with air hockey, ping pong, and pool. Large comfy couches, a huge flat screen tv, showers, a bathroom, wifi, an enormous kitchen, laundry. All of the amenities and more! Then the couple invited us to dinner and we eagerly accepted.

Since we were hungry upon arrival, Jackie and I went to the Dairy Bar and had lunch and milkshakes. When we returned to the church/hostel/bike haven (heaven?) we used the wifi to read up on the Internet. It was then that I spotted a pack of children playing in front of the church. I immediately joined, playing with the sidewalk chalk. We started out by drawing a hopscotch and followed by drawing bikes, lions, horses, and all of the other kids favorite animals. Jackie and I then went inside to rest up before dinner.

The mom made it down to Sebree just as dinner was being served. Three homemade casseroles, vegetables, cornbread, cantaloupe, ice cream, and thin mints. Delicious. We have been utterly spoiled by the hospitality here in Sebree. Tomorrow we have to return to normal touring and will hopefully be camping along the Rough River.