Our apologies, it's been a while since updating

Yes, we have been a bit behind on updating this thing so we will try to jam as many pics and as much info as possible to get up to speed. Last time we posted from Lexington, VA. We have finally made exit from VA and are now in Hindman, KY. It has been a pretty wild past couple of days. We are certainly in more rural areas than we have ever been in. We were warned today of two big hills (which were fairly tough), trucks that will run us off the road (which is pretty accurate) and elk everywhere (of which we did not get to see one). So for our warnings, we were 2 for 3, too bad we missed out on the best one. Kentucky's moto is apparently "the land of unbridled spirit." We can defintely concur with their claim. Everyone drives around in four wheelers, huge american trucks (funny how few imports we have seen... Chevy's marketing department may actually know what they are doing), no one wears a helmet, everyone has dogs that are just insane and bark all night and roosters are always crowing everywhere. But, so far for the most part everyone has been very nice to us, so we are quite greatful for that.

Now we'll try and give you some idea of what we have been up to the past couple of days. After Lexington we headed towards Christiansburg, VA out side of Blacksburg and VT. Our maps began in Christiansburg so we arent pulling out hairs trying to make routes anymore. Riding into town the sky was black and things were looking ominous but we met a fellow cyclist at the supermarket who let us stay in his back yard, and the weather turned out fine anyway. The friendly fellow was a biochemist who worked at VT and had about 6 old cars he was working on including 2 Karmann Ghias, 2 volvos, and a bug. We passed out after some oversized omlettes made from fresh local farm eggs (18 for 3$) and the next day we were on our way to Wytheville, VA. Walker beat the challenge at a local restaurant to eat two sizable cheese steakes in a half hour, and got the $18.72 meal for free. We slept on a stage in a local park that night surrounded by a nice meandering creek, christmas lights up in the trees, and cooling rain. Next day we hit Damascus VA, where the Virgina Creeper, Appalachian, and Trans am bike trails all converge. We met some awesome AT through hikers and shared about 7 pitchers with them, then we cleaned house at the grocery store. Someone ate a zebra cake, star crunch, fudge round, and two hostess fruit pies that night... Damascus is a great town with super friendly people willing to help you out with whatever you need, anything from long distance phone service to a free place to stay. We stayed at a hostile known as "the place" for 4$ a night, which was a great deal for the showers and beds. The next day on our day off we fixed up our bikes, swam in the creek, caught some fish, and generally rested our bones. Best hamburgers this side of the mississippi, for the best price can be found at the Dairy King in Damascus.

Alright...the next day. Headed to Breaks Interstate Park on the border of Kentucky and VA. Today was supposed to be about a 60 mile day but it turned into 80, and the last 10 or so were up hill. 8 miles in an hour and a half doesnt equal fun, but getting to the top was worth it. A special thanks to Shawn's mom for flying in and letting us stay in her hotel room that night. It had rained for the better part of the 80 miles we rode that day, the fog was bad too and a few spirits were almost broken; howerver, a couple of cold ones, little ceasars pizza, a mexican dinner at "Mi Finca # 4", a spectacular view of the Kentucky/ Viriginia border canyon country from our ridge top motel, and the end of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arc boosted our spirits enough to take us to Virgie Kentucky the next day (June 15). We slept in the side yard of The Virgie Middle School as trans american cyclers have been for years, and we ate some pretty impressive camp-style curry. Either a hound or a harp seal howled through the entire night, and in the morning it took a lot of Little Debbie treats and coffee to get us to where we are today, June 16th, which is Hindmen, KY. Along the way we found out why the call the bike route through Kentucky "the dog pound," and a few people had pepper spray ready incase any of the dogs chasing us had more than just a chase in mind. We also heard the lovely sound of rooster's crowing all day, and someone was kind enough to donate one to us. He has been a bit camera shy so far, but hopefully we'll get some pictures of him up soon.

Zoom in on that....

The Hindmen library has agreed to let us camp in their back yard so goodnight. (3:32 pm).
Also, thanks for the donation from Aaron's Uncle Bud!