New London, OH

Yesterday was a tough bicycling day. The wind blew straight out of the west, there was heavy rain, and a fair amount of traffic.  Places to stay were few and far between.  I found a campground with rustic cabins, a little bit of heat, and a few amenities. It's early in the season so finding such facilities is a bit difficult.  I feel myself getting stronger each day; my legs feel like iron now, my knees still give me a little bit of a problem but it is manageable.  Biggest challenge that I've seen so far is that when it is raining like crazy, the wind is roaring, and there is nowhere or anyone around, one is simply on his own and dependent upon his own wits.  Looks like more rain today and it is still pretty cold. Still drying out from yesterday. May have a rest day today; still deciding.

Home Sweet Home for tonight

You never know who you'll meet

I do believe the most fun experiences related to traveling by bicycle has to do with the people you meet. Case in point, Jenny Etain and her Turkish boyfriend were a couple that I met in a coffee shop in Ohio. They had returned from three years in Turkey and were home visiting Jenny's family.  They overheard me asking for directions for a bicycle safe route, intervened, and offered the use of their computer to investigate options.  Soft-spoken, very gracious, and very approachable, I immediately took to them.  In the course of our conversation I asked what they did. Jenny responded "I'm a belly dancer."  "No way!"  Yes, that was indeed the case and she's an artist. Jenny showed me some of the films of her dancing, and needless to say she's very graceful, very pretty, and very talented.  It was a pleasure meeting you both. I wish you safe travels, great dancing, and the love of the world.

Lt. Carr

I met Mr. Carr who had been a lieutenant with the fourth division in Vietnam one year before I arrived in country.  He served in the same areas where I served, therefore fed the mosquitoes and every other insect known to man that ultimately fed on me a year later.  Perhaps our only accomplishment was we kept the insect species vibrant, healthy, and perpetuating into the future.

Into Ohio

What great people! Doug and Terry went way out of their way to make certain that I was fed, kept warm, and enjoyed my stay in their lovely home.  Their two daughters are not only pretty but witty and very good bike riders.  Doug posted a great video that covered their ride through the Chesapeake and Ohio towpath as well as the Allegheny. It was so fun to watch!  I really enjoyed my stay here, and it was so nice that in the morning Doug rode with me to assure that I got off safely.  Traffic has been a bit of a challenge here in Ohio.  Today I hope to hit smaller roads, confront less traffic, and be able to relax as I did on the bicycle trails.  Doug and Terry, thank you for a great time at your place. I may have just been hungry but I do believe that was the best spaghetti that I ever ate!

The Kempthorne Family
My Warm Showers hosts in Homeworth, OH

Home sweet home for the night--Doug's "office"

Someone, without naming who, bought my breakfast because it was always their desire to ride across the United States. I guess the waitress told them about my trip and they bought my breakfast as they were leaving. I had no opportunity to thank my mysterious benefactor.  I in turn paid for another breakfast without telling them who it was.

April 22, 2014

In Weirton, West Virginia, I met my first "road angels." What was really nice about this was that I did not seek them out, but they sought me out recognizing that I was in need of help.  Well experienced in travel, they can see when a fellow traveler is experiencing problems.  Unfortunately, Weirton, West Virginia, while very beautiful, is not bicycle friendly.  From the standpoint of roads, there is no shoulder and those present are in disrepair, signage is minimal, and the traffic heavy.  I left from Weirton rather late, and I attempted to travel from Weirton to E. Liverpool on Hwy 2.  It simply wasn't safe.  Don and Sharon Green intervened, welcomed me into their home and their lives, give me a place to stay for the night, and then helped me plan a course through the rough spots.  They have agreed to convey me to East Liverpool (a distance of some 10 to 15 miles) and from there I will resume my ride.  What fun people - and kindred spirits. They're incredibly well-traveled, resourceful, and possess a strong business spirit. Don is a hyperkinetic free spirit loaded with ideas, has a number of inventions (some of which are laying around the house), and is in the process of building an airplane in their basement.  Sharon has done a little bit of everything from teaching to being a booking agent for a number of well-known groups, and a partner in the business that they run out of their home.  They have decided to sell out, buy a boat, and sail around the world.  They see this as a great escape, a way to refresh their creativity.  Totally fun folks!

The Montour to the Panhandle Trail, PA

Definitely do not drink the water in McDonald, Pennsylvania!

No room at the inn

 

 

 

 

Well, through all of these miles I finally encountered my first lack of hospitality.  Asked if I could pitch my tent on their lawn and was turned down.   Let's make sure we never do that at Grace United Methodist Church.

(Five miles down the trail, someone from the church called my cell phone and they had changed their mind, but it was too late for me.  This might help the next cyclist who comes along.)

Pittsburgh, PA, & Montour Trail

The rejuvenation is incredible up river but down river as you get closer to Pittsburgh, you see a lot of the residual factories where steel and coal were processed.  The impact on the landscape is striking. This said, Pittsburgh is a beautiful city.  This was my first visit ever, and I found the people to be friendly and very helpful.   I've traveled far enough now that when folks ask where I started from, they are shocked when I say "Washington DC."  All dirt trails from Washington DC to Cumberland and then Cumberland to Pittsburgh certainly presented challenges.  Certainly Washington DC to Cumberland was the most challenging with very bumpy, rocky, rutted trails.  If you plan to take this trip, plan on no more than 20 to 25 miles per day.  Plan to camp at remote campsites, where you will need water, food, and the appropriate gear.  Some sites do have handpumps, but there is a very strong iodine smell in the water.  This said, this was a trip of a lifetime!

Well, I have now done the Chesapeake & Ohio Towpath, the Great Allegheny Passage, and now I plan to do the Montour and Panhandle Trails to reach Raccoon Creek Campground.  This is a distance of about 40 miles, uncharted routes, and I will be flying by the seat of my pants.  Looks to be a nice day, a good day for a ride!

 

So far everything has been uphill. I know there's got to be downhill somewhere along this trail.

Easter Morning

What a wonderful surprise...they made breakfast for me as well. How's that for an Easter treat? People here are so gracious, so wonderful, so nice. Thank you for a wonderful breakfast to the start of a beautiful Easter day.

"Come on over for coffee"

And here's the cook