Farmington, MO

Crossed the Mississippi yesterday morning. Rained pretty much all day. Rode straight into the Ozark Mountains. Thought I was done with mountains for a while?? I guess not until Kansas. I stayed at an amazing hostel last night. It was more like a fancy loft apartment than your typical hostel. I started riding at daybreak yesterday so i finished early. The rest of my day in the fancy hostel was spent eating and sleeping and now this morning i feel great and I'm off to tackle some more mountains! 

Chester, IL

Elizabethtown, IL

Rode to Cave In Rock, IL today where I took a short ferry ride across and up the Ohio River to Elizabethtown, IL. The cave in the picture used to be home to river pirates who would attack and pillage the boats of unsuspecting travelers. Yargh! 

Sebree, KY

Well this will be my last night sleeping in Kentucky. I'm staying at a Baptist Church tonight that has a bike hostel in the back of it. Shower, washer and dryer, a mattress to sleep on, internet, and they're even cooking me dinner. Amazing!!! In the past few days I've traveled through Bardstown, the home of Bourbon. I've seen the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. I did my first century ride of the trip. And I've biked through miles and miles of tobacco, corn, and soy bean fields. Great job, Kentucky.

Harrodsburg, KY

Berea, KY

Elkhorn City, KY

^^^^^

                                    

Damascus, VA

My trip into Damascus sent me up and over Mt. Rogers (5,729 ft elevation) through pretty heavy rain. Despite the hills and the rain it was easily one of the best rides so far. The last ten miles or so were all downhill through lush, green forest complete with a river running next to the road the whole time with an occasional waterfall or two. The town of Damascus is basically here for travelers. The Appalachian trail runs through it and its directly on the TransAmerica trail as well. So there were hostels, cafes, bike shops, gear shops, and pubs a plenty. 

{{{{{}}}}}

===

lunchtime

Blue Ridge Mountains and The Cookie Lady

Riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains was hands down the BEST bike ride I've gone on. 

Charlottesville, VA

10 days in. At a hostel for the night. Blue Ridge Mountains tomorrow. Hope I'm ready for this.

Best pulled pork sandwich I've ever had.

Day 8. James City, VA to Mechanicsville, VA

Plantations, plantations, plantations.

free food and nice folks

As I pulled into my campground on Day 7 I asked these people for directions to the registration office and they, in turn, offered me friend chicken, pasta salad, and lemonade.

Is everyone in VA this nice?

After I'd set up camp and was off to take a shower I ran into Dave and Kim. Two Chicago transplants living in the area and out camping for the weekend. They were gracious enough to invite me to their camp to sample some crab they'd just caught that day. We ate steamed crab, mac and cheese, and some strawberry rhubarb pie. It was all amazingly delicious and I was so honored by their generosity. 

Awesome chefs and awesome folks!!