All the way to Berea, KY

Tuesday, 11-15-11
Kentucky had not changed much since I graduated from WKU in 2003, but then again it has.
I am seeing it from a new perspective of being on a bicycle as a tourist.
From a cyclists point of view, KY is not that bad as far as the vehicular traffic. The drivers are more respectful than the other state drivers in that they are more likely to slow down and give you enough room when they pass.
KY has its downs as well, in that there are tons of HILLS!!!
We have been told over and over again that the APPS are harder than the Rockies. How can this be? The Rockies reach higher altitudes, in the 9,000-11,000ft. when the Appalachians only reach about 4,000ft.
The difference I was told is the grade in which the roads are. where the Rockies were higher, they had a smaller gradual grade. The Apps have extremely steep grades for a shorter distance.
I guess it is all based on which you prefer.

After our stay with Rich and Mare who so very graciously dropped us off in KY at the hostel in Sebree.
The First Baptist Church is a cyclist mainstay. there we met Katie, a grandmother who was cycling the Trans Am on her own for the first time.
The church made dinner, our own room as well as a hot shower.
The following day, we continued through KY following the Trans Am with the ACA map.
The Falls of Rough at the Airport was our next camping destination. 80 miles we cycled even in the night.
We "Air Camped" there at the Airport in 27deg. temps.
Ready to head on down the road when once again, Vesper woke with a flat tire.
We were trying to find a warm shower for our next destination after the cold night stay and were willing to cycle out of our way for just that reason.
We were planning to go to Elizabethtown when our host suggested that we visit Leitchfield because they had a bike shop.
We contacted the owner of Embry's Bike Shop where Rick suggested that we cycle off the ACA trail to his place where he would not only give our bikes a tune up, but would put us up for the night in his home.
After traveling a short 18 miles, we arrived in Leitchfield, KY at the bike shop after long up and downs south.
Joyce had cooked a beef stew that was so tender and full of flavor. She also cooked some cornbread and a Lemon Bunt Cake. We were well stuffed and ready for bed. We also turned Rick Embry onto the Warmshowers.org website for touring as a guest as well as hosting other cyclists like they did us.
Thank you for the help and generosity you both had shown us.
The following day, we headed towards Howardstown about 50 miles away where there would be a campsite for us to rest. We stayed at the Larue County Park under an awning for shelter from the weather. A cold front was headed our way, and the wind let us know!!
All night the wind whipped and blew the tent as if a tornado was above us.
The following day we headed east again pushing through the wind on towards Bardstown where we stayed at the "My Old Kentucky Home State Park" in our tent once again.
We continued east the next morning hoping to find shelter knowing that it was only a matter of time before we got rained on. We decided to head towards Danville because they had a campground as well as it having the last known bike shop until we were over the Appalachians. As we were headed south on 127, Mark Morgan stopped and offered us a place to stay at his home there in Danville. seeing as how we were not going to make it to Berea, we agreed to his offer and headed to his home.
Mark and Joni were very nice and giving as were all of our angels along the way. They took us out to dinner and even introduced us to there son Daniel who lived there in Danville.
Joni is a quilter who makes very unique quilts that anyone would love to have across their bed.
Mark is a lawyer who is progressive and with the times. They both cycle and lead healthy lives.
We are blessed to have met them.
After a restful and warm nights sleep, we left Danville on our way to Berea where we had a warmshower lined up. The only problem is that it was raining. So with strange looks from all of Kentucky, we peddled on in the rain all day long until we finally reached Berea.
In Berea we met our warmshower connection Paige. We peddled through hill upon hill to her home about 3 miles out of town. We were greeted by her dogs and later her family.
Now with our stomachs filled with country ham, we will go to sleep and awake fresh and new for the Appalachians.