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This was a wet one! Gosh it rains a lot here!
After a snug night in my tent, I woke up and started getting ready to go..... just when the deluge hit! I could not have timed it any worse!
Darn it! Much of what I have got wet! ?
Part of the adventure I guess!
I stuffed all the wet stuff in the bags, loaded my bike and headed out.
One thing I have not mentioned much is the barking dogs. I think every resident in this state must have at least two dogs. Many are running free and love to chase us Bicyclists down the road. I haven’t felt really threatened yet, but it does get the heart rate up a bit!
I rode about 39 miles of the intended 70 mile day and then it started to rain. AGAIN!
HARD RAIN with CRASHING THUNDER and BLINDING LIGHTENING!
Now I can tell you all about earthquakes, but not this thunderstorm stuff. THIS WAS FRIGHTENING LOUD!
The kind of stuff pilots keep 30 miles away from!
I remember reading something about taking cover from lightning, but it is hard to
do when you are totally exposed. I rode for about 10 minutes more until I could take cover on someone’s porch!
Their indoor dog was very displeased, but the owners must have been gone. (I did leave them a thank you note!)
I sat there for a good half hour or more watching it pour! That’s when my phone buzzed with the severe thunderstorm alert!
Now I will tell you about the Guardian Angels looking over me!
My Garmin Edge 1000 has a Live Track feature that allows subscribers to follow my actual ride. Besides Denise; my Mom, Brother and Sister are tracking my ride.
I have to give a big shout out to Brother Steve and Sister Ann who have both been very helpful spotting food places down the road and texting them to me. Food stops are a rare commodity.
Steve has taken it upon himself to be my Concierge and look for sleeping opportunities up ahead. What a great little Bro!
Today he outdid himself! I texted him I was stranded in a huge thunderstorm and he took it upon himself to call the local radio station and ask them
to give me some help.
Wow! The little town of McKee Kentucky mobilized! I got a call from Dangerous Dan Caldwell the local broadcaster from WWAG who pinpointed my whereabouts and told me how to get to the station.
Then I got a call from Sherry Brockman, who turned around her car heading for North Carolina to come back to help. And finally McKee’s Mayor John Tompkins drove over with his SUV, loaded me up and took me to a local McKee Park shelter safe from the Severe Weather anticipated to last for hours!
People are amazingly wonderful!
BUT WAIT..... THERE’S MORE!
Sherry told me to go to Opel restaurant for dinner right next to the shelter I was in. I walked in and they said, Hi Bob, Sherry paid for your dinner. Unbelievable! Thank you Sherry!
A gentleman in the restaurant suggested I check with the local McKee Catholic Church for shelter tonight.
I arrived there to meet Rebecca, who invited me in, gave me a pillow, blanket and towels and pointed to the shower, bathroom, kitchen and couch and told me to make myself at home.
I am now clean,
fed and looking forward to a dry comfortable nights rest!
It does look like another day of rain tomorrow though.
When I get to Berea however, I have two day reservations at the Historic Berea Saloon Hotel! (My Concierge Steve spotted it for me!)
YES!
Thank you everyone who turned today into another great experience.
P.S. I forgot to mention the flat tire I had today. Fortunately it was only mild drizzle for that part of the adventure.
Tomorrow Berea.
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Breanna Sheldon
non-member comment
Wow! Adventure-packed as usual!
Really cool to see how willing/happy everyone is to help you out! The pictures on the porch made me laugh - I imagine the people will appreciate the thank you note :) Glad you were able to make it out of the horrible thunderstorms, and enjoy your well-deserved hotel tonight! Siblings are the best :) Love you dad!