[Terrytaylor] Utica to East View KY

[Terry Taylor]

Utica was a great place to stay. But I am not homesteading so I push eastward. 
Stats for yesterday:
79 miles. 11.05 average mph. 4439 feet of up!
About44 miles it started to rain and constant  lightning and thunder. I came to an intersection and rthere was a closed building. It had about a four foot roof on the front. I was able to seek refuge
There. I have never seen such a lightning display it was constant. I heard three thunders going off at once. I stayed there an. Hour and forty five minutes it just wouldn't stop raining but had slowed to a steady light rain. I continued on and was soon quite soaked. There are not many towns in this rural area. I called one guy listed on the map left a message. He called me when I was an hour down the road. I told him that and he understood. 
I called a guy listed about ten miles ahead  of my position he said he had moved to Tennessee  so he was out of the taking in cyclists business. It was quite dark by now and I put my lights on. I was surprised when two cars coming toward me pulled into my lane then swerved back into their lane. I saw it was one of those horse and buggys that the Mennonites use. The horse was trotting very smartly no lights on it anywhere it might have had the reflective triangle on it I couldn't tell. I waved at the young lady driver and she waved back. Now I know why I have been dodging  horse droppings for the last many miles. 
I finally came to an open convience store , in this rural area they often close at 6pm. I got a cup. of hot chocolate as I was drying off and getting cold. As with all convience stores that have tables and chairs there will be anywhere from two to six older men never see any women sitting around visiting or what ever you call it. Anyway I sat down at a table to drink my chocolate. One of the men came over and asked which way I was headed which is the first question I get as they are used to cyclists. I told hi m East and he asked where I would spend the night. I told him I was running out of options. One of the others said that the volunteer FD in White Mjlls allows cyclists to stay there he said they leave the door unlocked. The guy next to me said he hadn't heard that and he told me to stay here and he would drive over and check  I like that kind of help. He returned and said it is all locked up.  
He told me he lives a block away and has a store building that he closed the pawn shop and I could sleep there. I thanked him and he went home after being sure I understand where he lives. I rode over there and he waved me into his driveway. He said he wasn't thinking as he has this big motorhome and I can sleep there. 
He plugged in the 110 and I was able to charge my phone etc. 
I was very thankful to have such a nice guy step up and help out this stranger. 
We shook hands and I told him my name and his is Beverly Morris. He said he and his wife don't get up early so good bye and have a safe trip. 
 That was one of my most difficult days and I was glad to finish it on a high note
Terry T


 













Sent from my iPhone


Sent from my iPhone