No riding today. Rest day! I'm not tired, particularly, but I am looking forward to checking out Berea's arts & crafts and hopefully meeting some more locals today. I'll also call my doctor re: what do to to prevent long term damage from my recently developed tendonitis, and catching up on work. I'm seriously thinking I should back off my desire to reach SF by early June. I'm not going to risk chronic Achilles issues for the sake of biking 4,000 miles in ~45 days. Oh, some stats: 949.3 miles traveled | 11 riding days .: 86 miles / day average | latest estimated total trip miles: 3,983 .: ~ 25% of the way to San Francisco!
I'm chillin' at Black Swan Cafe this morning. Interesting observations in this excellent cafe: folks talking about bicycles and home brew and heirloom tomato gardening on the one hand, and on the other hand comparing notes on gun sizes and quantity of guns owned. Wow! Okay...I'm going out to explore Berea...
I'm back. I did my share to support the local economy today. Purchased furniture, blown glass, pottery, a hand made broom, etc. Nice stuff, and good prices! Also caught up a bit on work and emails, but there's plenty more of both awaiting, as usual.
My friend Dave emailed me a few good questions today re: the most interesting views, events, and people I've encountered so far. My response:
- Most interesting view(s): Mangled mountains in KY, lots of them, the result of mountain top removal coal mining. The massive physical impact our quest for energy has had on the Appalachians is arresting to witness first hand.
- Most interesting event: Hmmm. No one stands out. Many, many little ones, like the realization I enjoy eating at Ruby Tuesdays.
- Most interesting people: Again, no one single person stands out, but a few are of course more prominent in my mind than others. The woman at the Christiansburg, VA Ruby Tuesdays (where else) who seems to have endured heaps of personal challenges with grace, fortitude and success. The coal miners at Your Place restaurant in Hazard, KY with whom I perceived a shared sense of mutual respect, despite environmental and economic interests that pit us sharply against one another. John, a touring bicyclist who's planning a Chicago to MD ride, and who inspired me to step up my mileage a bit. And the Berea crowd: Nick the bicycle shop owner who went out of his way to share his knowledge about bicycle touring, and who did a beer run (!); Natalia, a charming and smart Ukrainian exchange student; and Paul, who works at a hot spot coffee shop in Berea & has excellent taste in '50s music!
Pictures: Mosaic at the Main Street Cafe, Berea. Bicycles in the window at Nick's bicycle shop. The composition sucks on the bicycle picture. I was in a rush; on my way to dinner!
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4 comments:
Hi, Steve: I love your chatty posts-makes me feel like I'm there with you. Makes me want a shot of crafts so I'm going to the Columbus Avenue Crafts show tomorrow. Take care of your Achilles during your odyssey. Only three quarters to go till you reach your goal. Good work, and good enjoyment.
love, MOM
Hey, Steve.
Glad to hear you are taking a day off "day 13" - a good day to rest! My cat Pumpkin died the other day - he was lucky 13 years old and lived many, many lives. I am thoroughly enjoying following your travels. I wonder if there is a pet store in town, you might be able to pick up a high pitched whistle for the dogs. Maybe the post office has wind of something to keep the dogs away. Glad you weren't bitten by one of the mangy mutts. I have not ridden my bike since last Sunday, although my duppa is not sore anymore, our weather has been either rainy or windy. I have upped the dog walking however. Today, I do have a bicycle route mapped out for my errands. It should make for a possible 15 mile trip. Fortunately in Sacramento, the only incline is going over the freeways, otherwise it's as flat as a pancake! Have a great rest today. Glad you were able to find some things to buy. Good luck with your heels. Hope you are not in much pain.
Love ya - JA
Hey Steve,
Glad to see you are taking a breather and resting. But while you are blogging, shopping, and running from dogs, rumor has it that there is a HUGE party going on at your house this weekend! Kind of like a "Fahmiefest." I'll report back on how it goes. I was told that the solar panels can also be used as a trampoline.
Safe travels. Rob
Rob: I'm only sorry I'm not there to enjoy the party. I expect a picture of you doing a keg stand.
Joyce: So sorry about your cat. Glad you getting out & exercising!
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