Once again, I quit

Saturday, 15 November: I spent some time looking at weather reports last night, and saw that my future involved rain, snow, strong headwinds and very low temperatures. Realizing that my heart is not in this right now, I called in the cavalry. My dad and stepmom are on their way to pick me up and take me to their place in Alabama, where I will regroup and decide how the rest of my travels will be conducted.

Check back infrequently...

Another inch forward

Friday, 14 November: The weather was alright today, kinda sunny, not super windy, and I took yesterday off, so why is today so difficult?

A couple of hours into my ride, I stopped for some gas station coffee. I'm seriously addicted to that syrupy-sweet stuff that comes out of the "cappuccino" machine. I noticed there was a Greyhound station right behind the gas station, and was seriously tempted, but I decided to ride on. I kept following USBR 76, which is always taking long scenic detours around populated areas, which can be a good thing, unless you encounter a sign a couple miles into your hilly detour informing you that the road you are on is closed ahead. Sigh. No choice but to backtrack, unless I want to follow the posted detour route to who knows where and for how long. Since the backtracking brought me back to the bus station, I took it as a sign and went inside to inquire about the possibility of getting me and my Surly to Huntsville. The guy working there didn't know if they could take my bike, and said it was really up to the driver, and he had no way to ask. I could either hang around the bus station until after dark when the next bus was due to arrive, and hope that the driver would take pity and let me aboard, or ride on. Not wanting to risk a nighttime ride to shelter in the predicted rain, I rode on, reminding myself that there is no such thing as "a sign." A few minutes later, I had a roadside meltdown. When I saw that I was only a couple miles from a KOA, I called it a day. Sadly, I didn't get very far today, but at least I was able to dry out my tent (I packed up wet this morning) and do some laundry in the cheapest laundromat I have seen on this trip. Maybe tomorrow I will get somewhere, although the weather report suggests that may not be the case.

Lovely fall weather

Thursday, 13 November: It rained today. I stayed put.

Inching right along...

Wednesday, 12 November: Another cold, hilly day. In the afternoon I decided that, although it might have been possible to reach my intended destination (another KOA) before dark, I didn't want to try. Those hills are killer. I backtracked (blurg!) a couple of miles to a state park. I consoled myself about the short day and the backtracking by telling myself that at least it would be cheaper than the KOA. Wrong. They have done that thing that many state park campgrounds seem to do late in the season, which is to close down the cheap camping area and refuse to bargain on the price for the expensive sites. And there are way too many park employees milling around to try to cheat the system. I guess I could have put an empty envelope with a fake name and address in the drop box, but I just couldn't do it. Someone has to pay all of those park employees.

At least I got another hot shower and was able to charge all of my electronics.

Happy Veterans' Day!

Tuesday, 11 November: Today I was faced with a tough choice: stay on USBR 76 and skirt some large population areas, riding on tranquil country roads into a corner of the national forest where I could probably do some backcountry (free) camping, or stay on the highway through some cities and pay to camp at yet another pricey place. As much as this seems like an easy choice, there were complicating factors. 76 is a longer route, and appears to be more hilly as well. I am still feeling black bear-anoid, and tying my food up after dark is no fun. And last but not least, it has been pretty cold lately, and a hot shower before bed is great for bringing the feeling back into my toes. As I sat on a roadside break contemplating my options, a police officer pulled up and ran my ID and asked me a bunch of questions. It seems there have been some "B&Es" in the area recently (I had to ask: it's breaking and entering) and he thought it would be a good idea to question the transient. He was very nice about the whole thing, but this still helped me make my decision. I don't want to give these guys more reason to hassle me, so I went for the pay camping option.

The ride went fine, although it was less than pleasant going through the cities. In case you were wondering, Salem, VA is full of teenage boys who shout unintelligible things from their reeking filthy trucks. Seriously, doesn't Virginia have emissions laws?! My lungs are illin'! But I digress. The hills were manageable, and I made my destination before dark, where I received a pleasant surprise: I was only charged $8 to camp. Now that's more like it!

All in all, a pretty decent day.

KOA is still pricey

Monday, 10 November: Felt like crap. Stayed in my sleeping bag all day. Was bummed that I was wasting a sunny day, but thought that it would be better to take one day now than two or three later.

Today was almost like a do over of yesterday

Sunday, 9 November: I woke up late again today, but this time because of exhaustion, not partying. It wasn't warm like yesterday, but it was sunny. I had a cold, mean headwind.

For the third time this trip (or is it the fourth?), I sold my soul to the devil for cheap goods. When a girl needs such disparate items as headphones, tortillas and Luna bars, and is a little short on time, where else is she to go but Wal-Mart? My favorite headphones that I continue to buy because they are comfortable, even though the left ear always stops working in less than a year, were cheaper there than I've ever seen them. (What's the deal with that left ear, Sony?)

I got tired and called it quits early, since I was at the KOA, and my next camping opportunity was too far away to reach before dark. I seem to have lost the ability to find free or cheap camping. It's partly because of my mood, but also because I don't have enough daylight hours to go asking around and then move on if I'm out of luck.

I think this is the first time I've stayed at a KOA on this trip. To me they always seem like the epitome of luxury "kamping," but they are actually cheaper than the place I stayed last night. Which isn't saying much.

I'm basically following the I-81 corridor southwest through Virginia, and then will continue along I-75 through Kentucky on my way to northern Alabama. And camping is pricey this close to the freeway! At least it exists. If any of you know of someone along this route who would take in a stinky dirty cyclist, please let me know!