(Sorry for the anachronistic posting...was away all weekend and just received Paul's postcard!!)
Nina,
Today, or two days ago, the days seem to blur together, I met two musicians in the old town area of Berea, Kentucky. I didn't really talk about music much, but the two had graduated from Berea College and basically told me coffee shops were the coolest things on Sunday afternoons! Josh was chillin at "The Black Feather" since he'd been kicked out of "Coffee & Tea." Sad day for Josh.
Love,
Paul
June 1, 2010
May 28, 2010
Some notes from Paul
Picture of the crew in Yeaman, KY. Front - Left to Right Bryn (NY), Amber (VA), Me, Bill (KS), Randy and Meg (ID), Ray (Can), James (VA), Michel (CAN), Back - Lee (UK), Joe (PA), Robert (FL), Olaf (GER), Jack (CO), Mort (NOR), Will (OR).
The people we stayed with were welcoming, homily and very hospitable. Gary and Beth recently moved from Trenton, NJ and Gary claims Beth has been getting lonesome in the countryside - she normally hosts over a hundred for Memorial Day weekend with a crab dinner! So, she's decide to get into the vicious sport of Blog-stalking and found a blog from our group - Meg and Randy's. It's about ten million times better than this one; so much so, I'm slightly embarrassed to give you the link . They both invited us out to their barn, where we were met with cold drinks (since they're from NJ, they were huge Yuengling fans), Burgers, a place to camp or stay indoors if we chose.
Beth was quite the hostess, showing off her beautiful home, filled almost exclusively with original art, a custom built fireplace, and had all the outgoing skills one would need to serve guests well. Gary wasn't quite the socialite, but really came alive when most of the group went to bed, telling me about his passion for reading vampire novels, and why they decided to move to a rural lifestyle.
Cheers from Marion, Kentucky (that's a joke, since it's a dry town)
Paul
May 25, 2010
Phone chat with Mom
5-25-10
I spoke to Paul today who was in Springfield, KY, yesterday had been in Berea, KY where the hotel plan conflicted with Berea College graduation. He enjoyed Berea. It was a long ride, sunny and hot, of 75 miles to Springfield Monday 5-24. They are headed west but a short day of only 40 miles so he was able to sleep in. He got to share the hotel room with the 'loudest snorer' in the group but had no problems sleeping - he can sleep through anything [good training as a college freshman in a triple @ Villanova].
He is really enjoying seeing the country. Dogs are still present but being dealt with. The weather has been mostly good.
I spoke to Paul today who was in Springfield, KY, yesterday had been in Berea, KY where the hotel plan conflicted with Berea College graduation. He enjoyed Berea. It was a long ride, sunny and hot, of 75 miles to Springfield Monday 5-24. They are headed west but a short day of only 40 miles so he was able to sleep in. He got to share the hotel room with the 'loudest snorer' in the group but had no problems sleeping - he can sleep through anything [good training as a college freshman in a triple @ Villanova].
He is really enjoying seeing the country. Dogs are still present but being dealt with. The weather has been mostly good.
May 24, 2010
5-21-10
Paul's mail:
letter dated 5/21/10, plain paper
Mom
Last night we stayed in KY for the first night at a heritage historical society. They let people camp, serve breakfast [real fruit!], cake, even a shot of moonshine before bed. I think the town was Hindelman, about 60 miles from the KY state line.
It's been raining A LOT here, almost every night. The most noticeable difference between VA and KY are the dogs! Pretty much every house has one and most will chase you down the street. Some of the bike group has pepper spray or use their air pumps to avoid bites. I've found if you just get off your bike and walk, they growl but stay away. Most of the energetic ones are little, anyways.
I will say, I'm looking forward to big hills because that means no dogs will attach you [you don't see any houses on the steep hills].
That's all for now!.
Love, Paul
PS The post office in Emmalena, KY gave me a free stamp.
letter dated 5/21/10, plain paper
Mom
Last night we stayed in KY for the first night at a heritage historical society. They let people camp, serve breakfast [real fruit!], cake, even a shot of moonshine before bed. I think the town was Hindelman, about 60 miles from the KY state line.
It's been raining A LOT here, almost every night. The most noticeable difference between VA and KY are the dogs! Pretty much every house has one and most will chase you down the street. Some of the bike group has pepper spray or use their air pumps to avoid bites. I've found if you just get off your bike and walk, they growl but stay away. Most of the energetic ones are little, anyways.
I will say, I'm looking forward to big hills because that means no dogs will attach you [you don't see any houses on the steep hills].
That's all for now!.
Love, Paul
PS The post office in Emmalena, KY gave me a free stamp.
May 20, 2010
Still in Virginia...
J & Shells,
So I saw part of this gorgeous lake. Got to bike on a highway over some sweet river in Radford as well...believe it or not, Radford, VA, is a pretty small, insignificant town, much like every other town I've been going through. I see a town on the map then, before I realize I'm out of it, I am! It's as if the "town" is one store/post office, if that! All very exciting, but no culture.
love,
Paul
(note #1 from the recipients: the front of the post card had the gazebo and, on further investigation, said gazebo is noted as a pretty popular site for weddings, for those who want a wedding in a state park...note #2: that store and post office is the culture Paul. welcome to small town america.)
May 18, 2010
Somewhere in SW VA
Allan, Annie, Clara,
So I'm sending you mail two days in a row! Don't get too used to it! In the small towns I'm having a hard time finding cool postcards; The post office cards will have to do. So far, The days have been hilly -> usually over 2000' of vertical climb a day. I'm smoking everyone up the hills since I'm running about 30 lbs lighter than they are.
Love, Paul
(editor's addition)
I talked to Paul Sunday night and he said yesterday was a layover day in some tiny town near Tennessee. Paul and one of his compatriots walked into TN for posterity. He was saying they got a bit of rain in the past few days and so going fast downhill hasn't been a great opportunity to bomb down hills. Apparently one of his group-mates bought a ton of keystone and Busch light and no one wanted to drink it so they ended up throwing it out instead of carrying it on to the next stop. He sounded in good spirits. More updates to come.
So I'm sending you mail two days in a row! Don't get too used to it! In the small towns I'm having a hard time finding cool postcards; The post office cards will have to do. So far, The days have been hilly -> usually over 2000' of vertical climb a day. I'm smoking everyone up the hills since I'm running about 30 lbs lighter than they are.
Love, Paul
(editor's addition)
I talked to Paul Sunday night and he said yesterday was a layover day in some tiny town near Tennessee. Paul and one of his compatriots walked into TN for posterity. He was saying they got a bit of rain in the past few days and so going fast downhill hasn't been a great opportunity to bomb down hills. Apparently one of his group-mates bought a ton of keystone and Busch light and no one wanted to drink it so they ended up throwing it out instead of carrying it on to the next stop. He sounded in good spirits. More updates to come.
Rockfish Gap - Afton Mountain, VA
Allan/Annie,
So yesterday I Biked over 5,000 feet of climbing! makes that hill in portland feel like a joke. Basically my group went about 17 mi in 3.5 hours! Gorgeous though, wanted to stop and see the view around every turn. Slept like a baby last night -> finally able to sleep now that i stole a pillow from Motel!
Love, Paul
So yesterday I Biked over 5,000 feet of climbing! makes that hill in portland feel like a joke. Basically my group went about 17 mi in 3.5 hours! Gorgeous though, wanted to stop and see the view around every turn. Slept like a baby last night -> finally able to sleep now that i stole a pillow from Motel!
Love, Paul
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