Clendenin, West Virginia to West Hamlin, West Virginia. Stop in Charleston in the am to pick up mail. Last full day in West Virginia.
Up at 6 AM. Still dark, must be moving west through the time zone, eh? Hey folks, you haven’t lived till you’ve had breakfast at Tudor’s Biscuit World! MMMM - that’s good eatin!
7 AM start - 20 miles still to go to Charleston, WV. Will probably be riding into town with commuter traffic but General Delivery Mail is very close now. Oh, oh - I was just about ready to leave but first I had some bike maintenance and some toenail maintenance to do. So I was sitting in a remote corner of Tudor’s Biscuit World’s parking lot clipping my toenails. Just finished and had bike all packed and ready to go when these 2 men motioned for me to come on over. I then met Jack Barnhouse, a 70 year old fellow, who I talked with for the next 45 minutes. He told me a lot about his life and said he was part Shawnee and part Cherokee. Then he showed me the palm of his hand and said, “See the ‘M’, that’s the Cherokee in me.” I showed him my palm and he said, “See, you got it too!”. Don’t get me wrong, but doesn’t everybody basically have the same “M-like” creases in their palms? I was too polite to dispute his claim. Anyway, he went on to invite me back to Clendenin, WV and also gave me an open invitation to stay at a condo he has in Gatlinburg, TN. “Bring the whole family,” he says. He also was very sure about me returning to Clendenin, someday. He told me stories about spirits and men living in the wilds. West Virginia - Wild & Wonderful!!
9:30 or so. 21.5 miles later arrive in Charleston, WV. Met Dooby - a dude on a bike going to work. He’s a cook at University of Charleston. I asked him for directions to the post office and he gave me a bike escort right to it. HEY MAIL - REAL MAIL - and no bills or junk mail!!!!
Well, less disappointed than Romney. One item - Peg’s package with maps for Kentucky, more stamped envelopes and some candy. I guess this General Delivery Mail thing really works!
The day started with a lot of promise but after the letdown of no mail (other than Peg's) at the post office, the day got hotter and very humid. 97°. And worst of all, the hills and mountains returned. Had to pedal an extra 4 miles to get over the Kanawha River and head south out of Charleston. Then I had about 10 miles on a sweltering, long, uphill graded 4-lane. (Rte. 219) Was thinking how some encouraging mail might have helped take the edge off all this. Then, Somerco Summit - just west of Yawkey, WV on 214. Had to stop on the porch of a church and down a 20 oz. bottle of water laced with electrolytes. As Dorie Lenz (Channel 17 air personality) used to say, “Mother of God!” Rested for about 20 minutes and forged on up the hill to the summit. Threw a chain (third time of the trip) on a short downhill. Yeah, it’s not a good day. I’ve gone 50 miles so far with about 10 left to go. Am sitting in this oasis at the junction of Rtes. 214 and 3. I guess I’m gonna be all right. Should I go for the side order of livers and gizzards? NAH....
Made it to Hamlin, WV around 4 PM. Flat ride - Yay! Stopped at library and checked email and website. Mainly got out of 95° heat. Hamlin, WV is the hometown of Chuck Yeager.
Left at 5 PM. Called my mom to say hello. Then decided to ride some more. Ended up in West Hamlin and found a well-needed laundromat. Will stay here for the night.
Route today: 119 South to 214 South to 3 West
68.95 miles on the day - 6 hr. 4 min. actual ride time - 637.6 total
A word about DOGS:
Today, about 5 miles east of Hamlin, a nasty bulldog came charging across a big lawn and I realized he was not gonna stop. I pedaled as fast as I possibly could and managed to out run him, but not by much. Little fucker! That was my 4th dog incident! One dog was chained up on a hill about 400 yards away and he was yelping when I went by. Many just come charging at you as you ride by, but see the chain or rope attached and stay cool as they run out of rope or chain and their ass spins forward as their head is stopped.
And why me? I come pedaling by quietly, minding my own business and polluting not. But when a stinky truck, bilging thick, black smoke goes roaring by, they just sit there.
Well, this is my last night in West Virginia. 35 miles to Kentucky. Took the picture of the day on a bridge over the Kanawha River , overlooking Charleston, WV.
Slept on lawn of another church. Heat lightning turned into thunder and lightning in the distance. Had to set up rain fly and guy it out. Prepared for the storm which never came. Only a few drops. Grass under tent was comfortable enough to not need the air mattress. Only real problem was trying to sleep with all the dogs yelping in the distance. Two of them, blocks apart and in opposite directions. Will they ever shut up? Hey Vinnie, now I understand... Now I understand!