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I had a quick ride to Berea today. No big mountains, NO RAIN, and only a few barking dogs. The road was very crowded and narrow. I’m glad it’s over!
I have checked into the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel with a nice but very small room. This is a place I would have taken for granted or even grumbled about a month ago, but today it is heaven!
It is amazing how my life has been modified by my environment.
When one has spent a career flying from one big city to another, staying in four star hotels and having unlimited food choices, this kind of world was hard to even imagine.
I thought people camped because they consider it fun. I have camped because there have been no other choices.
I am very grateful that so many churches along the way have been so wonderful about opening up to bicyclists!
Even in Berea, a city of 15,000, Starbucks doesn’t exist. One has to drive 12 miles to Richmond to find one. Two days ago I was excited to see a McDonalds and get an Egg McMuffin. A few days before, I reveled over a
Blizzard at DQ.
When I see a place along the road that sells food items I stop. My diet hasn’t been a very good one because there are few choices; Pizza, Fried Chicken, French Fries, biscuits and gravy...you get the point. Fried food or packaged Sweet Rolls. That’s the choice!
The point is, I am adapting from a lifestyle of unlimited choices to one of almost no choices. When one is on a bike ride like this, you modify your lifestyle.
One can’t jump in the car and drive to the next city with a motel. That’s why the bike is so compelling. One is immersed in their environment at the moment!
I’m OK with that! What the heck! Why not?
By the time I will have completed this adventure I will have a much greater appreciation for the different regions of this country and the life they lead. That was one of the reasons I wanted to do this.
This area of the country is vastly different than the one I’m from, and I’m sure that realization will continue as I continue this adventure.
Tomorrow I will explore Berea and then on
Sunday I’m back on the bike.
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Lynn
non-member comment
love your narrative and pictures
You are so brave to embrace such an adventure, I envy you. I love the narrative of what you're seeing and the people you encounter. This part of the country is different from SoCal, but so very friendly. Stay safe!