After 900 miles in Virginia, I have finally made it to another state! I loved Virginia, but it was starting to seem impossibly long. Maybe I was going in circles?
When I woke up this morning, I was not really surprised to find that the bear HAD visited the park. There were trash bags and trash strewn everywhere, including the place where I had set up my tent. Lesson learned: listen to the locals.
As I set out, I was freezing. I checked my thermometer and it was 44°F! I need not have worried, though, because OF COURSE there were plenty of hills to keep me warm!
I stopped at a gas station and chatted with some guys hanging out while drinking coffee. One of them described the upcoming Breaks Interstate Park as the Grand Canyon of the east. I only caught one glimpse of the valley from an overlook, but it was magnificent and lush. It was a fitting way to end my journey through Virginia.
Tonight I am staying at the Freeda Harris Baptist Center. It is an auditorium used to collect food and charity goods for the community, and they also provide beds for touring cyclists.
I called them yesterday to arrange to stay here, and three women were waiting for me when I arrived. I have a kitchen, food, shower, bed and water, and they ask nothing in return, but I was so moved I felt compelled to make an offering.
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