Trans Am, Day 18: Rural Retreat, VA to Damascus, VA

The phrase “The Road to Damascus” is an obvious tagline, pregnant with portent.

But today’s ride, while uneventful, was simply quiet, serene and beautiful. Lots of rolling hills on tree shadowed roads, very little traffic, lots of deer and, for the first time, LOTS of cows. When the cows saw me coming, they were interested. When they didn’t see me until the last minute, they were terrified, and ran away. I didn’t stop to take any pictures of them, because the farmhouses are always nearby and I am really self-conscious about being a city-slicker who takes pictures of cows. 🙂

When I glanced at the ACA maps this morning, it looked like there were plenty of campgrounds in Damascus, so I figured I’d find one when I got there. This was just as well, because I never had phone service, which seems like it is going to be the rule from now on. So when I got to Damascus, I studied the map for the first time. In fact, there was only one campground, and the addendum indicated it was closed. There were serveral BnBs, so I went to each of them, including a couple not on the map, but nobody answered the doorbell. Finally, I found a nice motel with a view of the river, and wifi — the important thing!

As I was riding to Damascus, I was passed by at least a dozen vans with bicycle trailers. I had never heard of the Virginia Creeper Trail, but a local explained to me that they haul the bikes and riders to the top of the trail, and they ride downhill. Must be nice! 🙂

Rural Retreat Lake at dawn, with rising mist and a loon.
Rural Retreat Lake at dawn, with rising mist and a loon.
Another beautiful Virginia road.
Another beautiful Virginia road.

Stream beside the road
Stream beside the road
The beast, taking a break.  Oh, wait, I was taking a break!
The beast, taking a break. Oh, wait, I was taking a break!
The spillway outside my motel room in Damascus.
The spillway outside my motel room in Damascus.

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