Today, Monday Nov. 28, 2011
First off, we were not able to rent a car to drive to Powhatan, VA for Thanksgiving Dinner at Norwood.
We needed a major CC or Car insurance with the use of a debit card in order to rent.
So... we pedaled on Thanksgiving Day to Whitesburg, KY. Not a long trek but we were looking for an easy ride with it being a holiday and all.
The following day we rode again looking to pass the KY border into VA. we headed north on 115 towards Jenkins, KY and turned east on the 23 towards VA. We crossed the Payne Gap towards Pound, VA on the SHOULDER LESS Hwy of 23 finally ending up in Wise, VA where we were able to get a hotel room at the Best Western where the manager gave a great deal on a $80 room for $55. Thank you Quinn!!
Please keep in mind that the route we had been taking since Hazard, KY has been off route (the ACA route across the Trans-Am). We were honked at more in VA than all the other state before. There is a good reason to stay on the route if not just for the purpose of not getting honked or yelled at.
While in Wise, we were contacted by a warmshower couple in Lebanon, VA who we had requested a warmshower from a couple days before. John and Patty Brenner are a very friendly couple who opened their home to us as if we were one of their children. We had so much fun getting to know the two of them in there cute town of Lebanon. Thank you John and Patty! We had a great time!!
After getting directions from John on the best way to return to the Trans-Am, we set off with Hayters Gap in our near future. Once we connected to Hwy 80, we back on route and on our way to Damascus, VA.
Hayters Gap, or "Haters Gap" was not that bad at all to Vesper and I. We felt like we had done worse working our way into Wise, VA than that. Some say it is harder going the other direction, which from looking at the map, I can agree.
We arrived in Damascus around 5pm and we know that the sun would be setting soon, so we started looking for a place to sleep. After watching the weather all day long, we decided that the best idea was to find indoor shelter in case it was to rain. For $10/person, we had a bunk house all to ourselves and a hot shower as well. The night was very warm around 61deg. and very calm. Vesper couldn't sleep due to my snoring and Yoshi's grooming, not to mention a nagging feeling that something was about to happen in the world of great proportions. I woke this morning with swollen fingers and sore muscles. I guess the "Haters" Gap was more than I had previously perceived. It wasn't raining, was still warm, but the dark clouds were really starting to move in. It was a gamble, but we decided to take a day off to let the rain pass before we moved on.
It still has not started to rain.
We are looking forward to getting to Norwood soon so we may have our own special Thanksgiving on the plantation.
Thanks for Reading,
WOS and Vesper
Our Touring Mission from Portland, Oregon to Texas. This Time We Have MAPS!
4 comments:
Thoes Virginians honk for your protection I hope. So rain seens to be upon you and your traveling smart by stoping. Great pictures and I hope you can make Norwood by next week....weather permiting. Safe travel and keep up the good spirits. Dad
Cousin!
We both know how high and affectionate I am to m special cousin, but you have really done something extraordinary! I love you also for this! RRock oooooooooon!!!!!!!
Hey u 3, still rode riding we see. It snowed here this AM, we hope you are all safe and warm somewhere on your special trail.
Miss u all and wish you all the safety and warmth we can muster
Rich, Mare and all the 12 4 leggers here in Southern Illinois
it was nice meeting you at the top of mill mountain in roanoke! i love your blog and you're trip is very inspiring! keep up the good work and enjoy the rest of virginia! best of luck!
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