The view at "Scenic" Cove Lake
Yes, the sign coming into Caryville, home of "Scenic" Cove Lake, has the quotes. That little touch made me smile yesterday. After a relaxing evening indoors, and two BBQ meals in one day, I started this morning at Scotty's. (What is it with small diners named Scotty's on this trip?) A cup of coffee, a couple eggs, some bacon, some toast, and great conversations with the locals. In fact, as each local came in, I was asked about my bike, where I was from, where I was going, and I repeated the story, to the delight of everyone in the restaurant.
After spending more time than I had planned to, I got ready to leave. One of the men at the counter handed me his card and asked me to remember him when I write my book. Now, this is no book, but I suspect I'll remember Bill and his friends for a good long time.
Fueled up for a day of climbing, I set off to climb Jellico Parkway over Pine Mountain. It was a long, winding road with the tiniest shoulders I've ever seen. It was muggy and warm the whole way up, and about as lush as a rain forest. I spent over an hour making the climb, then flew down the descent with nary a peddle stroke. After the mountain, it was a few more miles to Jellico, a sleepy little town where I passed by all the fast food options only to find there were no other options available.
Luckily, Williamsburg wasn't far, and I quickly pulled into town and found a great little Mexican joint. One lunch special with about 5 glasses of water later, I headed back to the road. Along with the much needed food and water, I also got to catch a little World Cup action. The waiter seemed more surprised that I was interested in the World Cup than the fact that I had biked to the restaurant.
From Williamsburg, I headed to Corbin, home of KFC. I passed a sign for the Col. Sanders Museum, but I didn't ride by it. Instead, I found a vacant lot filled with decorated trains. While I was taking pictures, an older gentleman walked up and offered to take my picture. We chatted a bit, and it turns out this man was the chief of police's father. After finishing my picture taking, and getting some local directions, I headed for the KOA.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the KOA....I realized I wasn't ready to stop peddling yet. After several days of brutal heat and humidity, the day turned out to be warm, but very pleasant. Not too humid, a little bit of a cooling breeze, blue skies with a few fluffy clouds...How could I call it a day when the next town was just 12 miles ahead? Short answer: I couldn't.
I just kept pedaling right to London. As I came into town, I stopped for a quick milkshake before getting a room for the night.
One of the best parts of the trip so far has been the conversations I've had with complete strangers. Whether it's the regulars at Scotty's, or a little girl and her father at the Mexican restaurant, every interaction has been incredibly positive. Some folks have said the thought of me riding from Atlanta to Detroit is inspiring to them. Some have said, with a giant grin on their faces, that this ride is crazy, and they wish they could do one too. Everyone of the conversations ends with someone wishing me well. Telling me to take care of myself and be careful out there.
It's really great to see just how common caring and common decency are.
Miles Today: 81.33 miles
Max Speed: 31.5 mph
Total Miles: 358.9 miles
Tomorrow is a short ride (50 miles) to Berea, where I'll spend two days. I'm staying with some Warmshowers hosts, so I'm looking forward to learning all about the town.
After spending more time than I had planned to, I got ready to leave. One of the men at the counter handed me his card and asked me to remember him when I write my book. Now, this is no book, but I suspect I'll remember Bill and his friends for a good long time.
Fueled up for a day of climbing, I set off to climb Jellico Parkway over Pine Mountain. It was a long, winding road with the tiniest shoulders I've ever seen. It was muggy and warm the whole way up, and about as lush as a rain forest. I spent over an hour making the climb, then flew down the descent with nary a peddle stroke. After the mountain, it was a few more miles to Jellico, a sleepy little town where I passed by all the fast food options only to find there were no other options available.
Luckily, Williamsburg wasn't far, and I quickly pulled into town and found a great little Mexican joint. One lunch special with about 5 glasses of water later, I headed back to the road. Along with the much needed food and water, I also got to catch a little World Cup action. The waiter seemed more surprised that I was interested in the World Cup than the fact that I had biked to the restaurant.
From Williamsburg, I headed to Corbin, home of KFC. I passed a sign for the Col. Sanders Museum, but I didn't ride by it. Instead, I found a vacant lot filled with decorated trains. While I was taking pictures, an older gentleman walked up and offered to take my picture. We chatted a bit, and it turns out this man was the chief of police's father. After finishing my picture taking, and getting some local directions, I headed for the KOA.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the KOA....I realized I wasn't ready to stop peddling yet. After several days of brutal heat and humidity, the day turned out to be warm, but very pleasant. Not too humid, a little bit of a cooling breeze, blue skies with a few fluffy clouds...How could I call it a day when the next town was just 12 miles ahead? Short answer: I couldn't.
I just kept pedaling right to London. As I came into town, I stopped for a quick milkshake before getting a room for the night.
One of the best parts of the trip so far has been the conversations I've had with complete strangers. Whether it's the regulars at Scotty's, or a little girl and her father at the Mexican restaurant, every interaction has been incredibly positive. Some folks have said the thought of me riding from Atlanta to Detroit is inspiring to them. Some have said, with a giant grin on their faces, that this ride is crazy, and they wish they could do one too. Everyone of the conversations ends with someone wishing me well. Telling me to take care of myself and be careful out there.
It's really great to see just how common caring and common decency are.
Miles Today: 81.33 miles
Max Speed: 31.5 mph
Total Miles: 358.9 miles
Tomorrow is a short ride (50 miles) to Berea, where I'll spend two days. I'm staying with some Warmshowers hosts, so I'm looking forward to learning all about the town.
Small world! Stacey and I are staying the night tonight in Corbin, KY on our way up to Canada. We'll pass you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts as to why the little trains were there? Are those tracks in the background?
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the World Cup, the US just got ripped off. Now we need some help.
Those are train tracks in the background, and CSX seemed to be running a lot of coal cars through the area, so I think CSX's presence might explain the trains. It seems more reasonable than the decorated pigs in Cincinatti (which I may pass by on Monday).
ReplyDeleteStephen (and Stacey), hope your drive up to Canada is going well. I'll see you back in Atlanta in a few weeks!