An elaborate breakfast of cereal, eggs, hash browns and toast, at the campground restaurant started off the day on the right foot. More head winds and hills were on the menu, and I figured I might as well bulk up for the ride, as my food-supply had dwindled down to power bars, shot blocks, a few instant oatmeal packs, tuna cups and some Ramen noodles. I could see the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway now, and it was surely a bittersweet. Of course I needed to move on, but at the same time this National Park had become part of me, because of all its wonderful and rich experiences, and I wasn't eager to let go.
Today's route would finish in Afton, a rural town home to June Curry, also known as the cookie lady, the patron saint of cycling enthusiasts, who for the last thirty years has opened her doors in support of thousands of transam riders. Unfortunately I had to pass her by, as I was told that she was not in very good health these days. Sorry to have missed you June and many thanks for all your genuine support and hospitality.
At the Parkway terminus, I met Tom and Barbie from Toronto, while I was setting up for a bike picture next to the Parkway entrance. Barbie called me from the back of their Harley, and asked if I wanted her to take my picture. Sure thing, that would be so great, me and the bike at the end of a long parkway journey! They congratulated me on my successful completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and I for one was glad I ran in to them for this celebratory Blue Planet moment. After the picture ceremony we talked about my Tour-de-Water mission. Barbie made a comment about Tom's mustache that he has had now for thirty years, and that he should shave it off as a fund-raiser, since there is a great smile behind there, that she has never seen! I added that the number thirty was very significant in the water world, as it only takes $30 to provide safe drinking water for life for one person. We left it at that, and ended up at the same roadside motel, where Tom offered me an ice-cold beer before we said our good byes! And that is the life of my vagabond existence each day, meeting all these wonderful people along the way, some just for a moment, and others that will become life long friends. Life is just fabulicious!
Today's route would finish in Afton, a rural town home to June Curry, also known as the cookie lady, the patron saint of cycling enthusiasts, who for the last thirty years has opened her doors in support of thousands of transam riders. Unfortunately I had to pass her by, as I was told that she was not in very good health these days. Sorry to have missed you June and many thanks for all your genuine support and hospitality.
At the Parkway terminus, I met Tom and Barbie from Toronto, while I was setting up for a bike picture next to the Parkway entrance. Barbie called me from the back of their Harley, and asked if I wanted her to take my picture. Sure thing, that would be so great, me and the bike at the end of a long parkway journey! They congratulated me on my successful completion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and I for one was glad I ran in to them for this celebratory Blue Planet moment. After the picture ceremony we talked about my Tour-de-Water mission. Barbie made a comment about Tom's mustache that he has had now for thirty years, and that he should shave it off as a fund-raiser, since there is a great smile behind there, that she has never seen! I added that the number thirty was very significant in the water world, as it only takes $30 to provide safe drinking water for life for one person. We left it at that, and ended up at the same roadside motel, where Tom offered me an ice-cold beer before we said our good byes! And that is the life of my vagabond existence each day, meeting all these wonderful people along the way, some just for a moment, and others that will become life long friends. Life is just fabulicious!
No comments:
Post a Comment