Today I dedicated my ride to honor Veteran CPL Joshua Langston-White. Please take a moment to honor him and check out his story. Thank you CPL Langston-White for your service and your sacrifice for our freedom. You are a hero!

I had plans to drive and follow the Adventure Cycling Association’s route. I thought staying in Grundy last night was close to it, but in reality the drive to get to the route was going to take me back the way I came and around a mountain. No going over it, just around it. I didn’t want to back track so we plugged in Damascus into the GPS and away we went. I was a little bummed, but it is what it is. Nothing about this trip has gone according to plans so far so why start now, right? We are just giving each day to God and doing our best. It has been nice to be spontaneous and able to change directions quickly. I googled bike paths near Damascus and find one in Abington, VA. I was going to follow that to Damascus. I unloaded the bike and realized the path was not paved. My bum has not healed at all from the saddle sore and actually was cause me a lot of pain. I tried to ride on the rocky path but I just couldn’t. I turned around and we loaded the bike back up and drove to where the ACA map was in that area. I made it about 8 miles and I was in utter pain. Kelly had pulled up next to me and asked if I wanted anything before she headed to Damascus and I just broke down and cried. She pulled over and we loaded up the bike. I feel defeated today for not being able to ride.

Abandoned… that’s the word of today’s ride. The countryside side is beautiful with all the winding roads that weave its way up and down the hills. I am not sure how many homes and barns had been boarded up and just left to rot. It’s sad to me that so many of these abandoned homes are in such a picturesque setting and there is no life in them to enjoy it. What is their story? I wish I knew. I was glad Kelly got some really great pictures of a few. I didn’t have much time to stop and take pictures today, I was in pain and knew if I stopped, I might not start again, turns out that is exactly what happened.

We had a delicious lunch at the Wicked Chicken Winghouse. (Thanks Chuck Sherry and Mom and Dad) Damascus, VA is a great little hiker town. I wanted to see this place because I hope to one day hike the Appalachian Trail which goes right through this town. Lots of hikers take a few days off here to resupply as well as do laundry and meet up with other hikers. The ACA trail goes right through this town too so there are several cyclist here as well. It has the drifter/hippy vibe which I rather enjoy.

I have one day left to go on this journey. It’s been an up and down ride emotionally for me today as I wrap my head around that simple fact. I could see the mountains in the distance and have very mixed emotions about not getting to ride over them. I have ridden this route in my mind several times in the planning phase when I would use Google Earth, Google Maps and read other cyclists journals of what this area was like riding through it. I was so excited and ready to do it for real. I am facing the emotions of utter disappointment and grieving not doing the full ride. It just wasn’t meant to be I suppose. I am thankful I have my family and friends who have supported me and all these emotions. I certainly hope in the future I can do a cross country trip in its entirety one day. I am thankful for what I have been able to do this trip. It has only increased my appetite for more cycling in different states.

We drove to Wilmington, NC tonight. Since I’m in so my pain right now, I am going to keep tomorrow’s ride very short so that I can enjoy the end of my journey. We found a pizza place to carry it back with us to the hotel. This is by far the worst hotel we have stayed out this whole trip, AND it was expensive! The rooms at the Baymount Inn were not as clean as you should expect. The people next to us was hanging out with more people in the next few rooms on the balcony smoking and playing loud music. Our room reeked of cigarettes and pot. There was a door inside that connected the two and apparently the neighbors wanted in our room and kept banging on the door. We opened the door outside and told the men standing in front of our room chatting that someone was trying to get in our room, and if they would kindly tell the person to stop banging on the door. They laughed and apologized and said she was drunk. Lovely. The knocking quickly stopped but the noise didn’t. So annoying. This is by far the worst place we have stayed out this entire trip. The bathroom was so yucky and the floor so grimy. I am glad I am going home tomorrow and going to be able to get into my own bed.

My route is planned for tomorrow. I haven’t ridden in a big city yet this trip so that’s a little unnerving for me but the route says it has bike lanes. If this is the case, I will be just fine. Praying Wilmington is a bike friendly city.

Thanks again for all who have supported us through your prayers, encouraging texts, and your donations throughout our journey. You’re the best! We appreciate you so much! Thank you also to those who have supported HFOT. Your donations to them help disabled Veterans, like CPL Langston, get a chance at reclaiming some of their personal freedoms in a new home. Many thanks! Night y’all, Be Blessed!