Day 30, We are on the Home Stretch!

Started in Whitley Kentucky, to Tenn. to Virginia.  It was great to see the Welcome to Virginia!  Beautiful day in Kentucky, rode on Rt 92  just like riding at home,  lots of ups and downs.  Rode through the Cumberland Gap,  we had to be escorted through the Cumberland Gap tunnel,   just like the tunnels at Wytheville, VA.    We enter into Tenn.  for about 3 miles  and then the home stretch of Virginia.   Rode 100+ miles.  Stay in the Cumberland Gap National Forest, every nice.  Tom found a kitten along the road,  took it to a gas station.   We will be riding the next two days in the mountains of Virginia,  highest points in Virginia. Forget about the bear scare Allyson and I had going to the bathroom in the National Park (it ended up being a lady walking her bulldog in the woods about 10:00 at night, with no light.)

Birthday and 100 miles

We celebrated Alinda's birthday today on the road,   left Monroe KY and ended in Daniel Boone National Forest traveling on Rt. 27 East!  You would think in a National Forest you could find camping, wrong,  ended up in some town in the motel parking lot,  We have now peddled 2,711 miles,   4 time zones,   back into Eastern time zone!  We hope to be in Virginia tomorrow,  will see,   we rode along the Cumberland River and now are crossing over the Appalachians! Everyone is still riding strong,   John had some bikes troubles today,  he only  has his big gear in the front!  We keep peddling,  everyone is ready  to be done!

FEELS LIKE HOME! 101.4 miles

I guess I was a little home sick,  when we started seeing the Appalachians Mountains, I got misty eyed.  Riding yesterday was like home,  we love the mountains!  Great day on the bike,  no rain,  we rode on country roads, beautiful farms,  saw lots of barns with the tobacco drying.  Finished the day in Monroe KY.  Stay at Hidden Cave KOA RV park,  we will back tract to Monroe this  morning and start again.

Day 27

Bikers candy!  This is how we crossed America!

Day 27 again!

We are somewhere in IL,  headed to Indiana and KY!   Made it across the Walbash River into New Harmony Indiana,  lots of history in New Harmony we spent a little time there,   still raining,  still lots of traffic and road construction.   Harvest rain so far.  We now have traveled through 11 states and 2500+ miles.  We crossed over into Ky late yesterday evening.  We are staying in the Owensboro KY  Diamond Lake Resort RV  Park!!!    9 loads of laundry last night! 
Only Kentucky and Virginia left!

102.4 Miles! Day 27

Welcome to the East!  Starting point on Highway 14 and 41!  Rain!   Since we have crossed the Mississippi we have had rain,  lots of traffic and road detours, roads closed and lots of  road construction.  We are still peddling!  They lay the land is farming flat to rolling,  we are seeing lots of soyabeans, corn.  We should be close to the Ky Line by this evening.

2nd glace at Kanas and The Missouri Bluff

First impressions are often our only impressions.
We almost made that mistake in Kanas.
For example, Hwy 36 is the West/East Highway. As we traveled, we only noticed the few gas stations along the way. Then we started looking a little deeper. Just blocks to the north or south were wonderful old buildings, communities with clean landscapes, city parks, even RV hookups.

As we entered a grocery store, we noticed local high school shirts for sale. At the Buckshot Inn, John  began a conversation with the hostess who informed him that the local high school team won 60+ games and a book was written about the team and coach, Roger Barta. The next day, we reentered the grocery store and bought the books. Yes, a deeper look into the dedication, hard work, and determination of this community. How proud they are of their youth.

The terrain of Kansas ---on first glance we gleefully pedaled up the hills and flew down the hills. Then we realized the 3 types of terrain--rollys,  poleys, and humptys (small hill within the rolly poley).  Here's the math question for the day. We rode 103 miles, started at an elevation of 1,680 and ended at an elevation of 1,680. We climbed 5000 feet, How many rollys poleys did we climb? Plus wind. So Kansas offered more than at mere glance. In fact, Kansas prepared us for the final leg of the trip.

So take a lesson from Kansas, take a 2nd look in life--there is more than meets the eye.

Missouri Bluffs. After Kansas we gleamed with joy at a slightly forgiving terrain with less cross wind. We discovered that riding in the "Lane Closed" side was really fun--as long as we looked for the "Gravel" We had our best day of the bike until... Missouri called our bluff on Hw 79 south for 80 miles. The Mississippi River Trail is a scenic highway with gorgeous views of the Mississippi--yes on top of the bluff. Steep climbs, relatively short --.5 to .75 climbs--3,4,5 mile per hour steep. We soon realized that Missouri had called our bluff and we did work to finish the state. Thru the gravel road, we learned  perservance. Most of all we had opportunity to see the lowlands along the Mississippi. The lushness of Missouri is a welcome sight. This state has a strong history--in fact we passed the Stark Brothers original nursery of 1818 in Louisiana, Missouri.

How's the group doing after Kansas and Missouri? Bayer Back and Body is our drug of choice. Paul keeps us fueled with fruits, wonderful breakfasts and dinners. Our morning routine is taking less time and we continously laugh. Patty reminded us that when we get home we are to tell her to tear up her bucket list. Ha! With all the pedaling, our minds are clear and our hearts are happy.
We are blessed as we  safely travel. We feel your prayers and support. We love to hear from you and we think of you often.
Thanks for all your support. See you soon.
Keep pedaling!

Alinda Perrine, Free Spirit Adventures, 135 Bicycle lane, Caldwell,WV  24925