Wednesday, October 27th Williamsburg to Yorktown, Va.

Under threatening skies we headed out for our LAST day of biking. We tried to savor every mile as we covered the short distance to Yorktown. About half way into town, Mary's sister Betsy showed up to help cheer us on. She got to the hotel about 1:30 this morning but was up bright and early, banner in hand, to greet us.

The bimbos agreed that today's post was going to be a tribute to the bimboys. For the past eight weeks they have been our chauffers, mechanics, water boys, garmen, problem solvers and have basically done whatever we have asked. We can not thank them enough for getting us from coast to coast while taking great pictures along the way. Their presence changed what could have been a grueling or hazardous ride into a pleasurable, safe one. We owe them big time!

While we are on the subject of thanks, we want all of you to know how much we appreciate your visiting us or providing a home cooked meal along the way, emailing us your words of encouragement, and logging on to our blog. We appreciate your good thoughts and prayers. They have made a difference. We have had a wonderful 8 weeks together. We hope we can return the favor and support you when you're checking something off your "bucket list".

Tonight "shout out" goes to Jennifer Weber Aronson for our wonderful hotel discounts. We slept well.

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Tuesday, October 26th Glen Allen to Williamsburg, Va.

Finally, our last long day. Tomorrow we have a "cake walk into town," only 15 miles or so to Yorktown. We are hoping Mary's sister, Betsy, will be there to greet us. Due to a bad storm crossing the northern plains, air traffic has come to a halt.

We spent time on our bikes today discussing the past eight weeks. We decided that we probably are the most tired of yelling, "car back," followed by a death grip on the handle bars as one or more cars, trucks, semi's, trailers....you name it, just misses us. Our standard lunch consisting of hummus, avocados, sweet peppers and cheese sandwiches, along with a handful of Fritos and a piece of fruit is also getting a little old.

We agreed that Middle Gate Station, Nevada, is still our most memorable night's stay and The Carriage House Motel in Eureka, Kansas, was the one we'd like to forget.

Top 10 Places: (not necessarily in this order)

1. Slot canyon in Bryce National Park

2. The road from Dolores to Telluride

3. Orvis Hot Spring Spa near Ridgeway, Co.

4. Elizabethtown, IL

5. Cedar Breaks National Monument

6. Alley Springs, MO, along the Jack's Fork

7. The river trail through Sacramento

8. Restaurants in Boulder, UT (go figure)

9. The front porch of the B&B in Girard

10. Monticello near Charlottesville, VA

Monday, October 25 Charlottesville to Glen Allen, Va.

We had a terrific time in Charlottesville! Besides spending the afternoon at Monticello, we took a quick self tour of the University of Virginia. We were so impressed with Jefferson's accomplishments that we had to see his last big project, the University of Virginia. The architecture is stunning and spreads over more than a thousand acres. We found a great Irish pub to finish off the evening (and a few beers).

Today rain threatened us most of the day but, as is our luck, we were only sprinkled on a few times. The Virginia scenery ranks right up there. We often debate the prettiest state as we bike along. We have yet to decide.

If you check our early post from September 2 (Day Three Pictorial), you'll see a picture of us having dinner with our "new friend" CK who was two days from finishing his ride while we were two days into our ride. We hardly let the poor man eat, we were so full of questions about the ride. We marveled at how it must feel to be so close to finishing. Now we are in CK's enviable position - two days from Yorktown. We're excited and we're tired.

Tonight's "shout outs" go to Barb Schupp and Beth Titterington who both have birthdays tomorrow. Happy birthday, Barb and Beth!

IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT FLAT FOOTIN' IS

FYI, these kids are maybe 10 or 12! None were shy, and jumped up every time there was an opportunity.

WYTHEVILLE & CHRISTIANSBURG, VA 10/22 & 23

Red Barn Bluegrass fun near Wytheville last night. The female vocalist, mandolin player and fiddler are all 15. The upright bass player is 13! Lots of flat footin' and toe tappin'.

Man am I getting sick of nice scenery.

A cold morning in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Today we stopped near Draper at one of the stopping points on the New River Bike Trail. This is Johnny from North Carolina. On his bike every weekend! Go, Johnny, go! By the way, we gave out a record 2 bumper stickers today. Of the original print run of 1,200 I think we'll have about 1,100 left when we get home. You might get one in the mail instead of a Christmas card this year.





The BIMBOs will do anything to get attention including the Broom Dance. They were a little too timid to participate in the Flat Footin' contest though.

October 22 Damascus to Wytheville, Viginia

Today's ride was a 9+! The only detractor was being cold this morning. Fortunately, we climbed early to warm up. At mile 23 we had our first "brunch". While warming up to hot drinks and melted cheese sandwiches, we were offered raffle tickets to win a shotgun, a quilt, and a load of firewood. Having no need for the aforementioned, we donated $5 to the cause and were thanked profusely. After another 23 miles of gorgeous country, we stopped for our second lunch in Rural Retreat at a winery and deli. Great soup, salad, and sandwiches were followed by wine tasting and purchasing. Bimbos I and IV proved that they could hold their wine, by getting back on their bikes and swerving to Wwwythevvville. We didn't expect Wytheville to have much to offer. Little did we know that it is the "Hub of southwest Virginia". Tonight we're going to a bluegrass and mountain music concert and cookout.

"Shout outs" tonight go to: Lori Wells - have a quick recovery from your knee surgery. And congratulations to the Lee's Summit High School's 25th anniversary class, especially Miss T's 4th and 6th graders from Pleasant Lea Elementary.

October 21, Abingdon, Virginia

It doesn't get any better than this! (Just outside Damascus, VA)
The Bimbos and Bimboys enjoyed a great home-cooked meal at the hands of Nancy Bednar (Debra's sister), Marie Moody, and Mary LaMontagne.
This is the beautiful view from Mary and Brad LaMontagne's back deck.

Jim takes a picture of Debra taking a picture of Nancy, who just wants to bike!
Mary passes the biscuits and honey at a rest stop. Will it be enough to get us over the next mountain?
We waited for the fog to lift as we breakfasted at Breaks Interstate Park.

Oct20-21Elkhorn City, Kentucky to Damascus, Virginia

Finally our last state! Although we are excited to be this far along, it seems that the time has gone by quickly. The fall foliage is still spectacular but is now often raining down upon us as we bike along.

We were entertained our first night by friends of Debra's sister, Nancy Bednar. Brad and Mary LaMontagne along with Mary's sister, Marie Moody, and Nancy made a delicious dinner for us. We enjoyed getting to know these new friends as well as being hustled at pool and soaking in their new psychedelic hot tub.

Today we enjoyed our last rest day before moving along to our final destination, Yorktown, Virginia. The highlight of the day was our lunch at author Barbara Kingsolver's Harvest Table Restaurant in the small town of Meadowview. Next we saw The Social Network - Anyone want to "Facebook"?. Tonight's dinner is up for grabs. Tomorrow we climb over the highest point in Virginia to our overnight town of Wytheville. (Our quads are already complaining!)

Candice, please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Our "shout out" tonight goes to Mai Tseng - Happy birthday, Mai. We love you!

HAZARD, KY TO BREAKS INTERSTATE PARK, VA 10/19/10

Eastern Kentucky

Same

October 19th/ Breaks Interstate Park, VA

Today we entered our ninth and final state - Virginia. Kentucky was ablaze with fall colors and brimming with challenging hills. The ascents made us perspire with exertion - the descents made us sweat with fear. Kentucky has more dogs per capita than any state we've been through. Even at break-neck downhill speed, they gave us a run for our money! At one point Bimboy I maneuvered his vehicle between a pack of dogs and his wife, his horn blaring in competition with the dogs baying.

The last two days have been through coal-mining country. Eastern Kentucky has even more cars than dogs - but while the dogs run, the cars don't. They sit in yards supporting towers of kudzu.

Tomorrow we venture farther into Virginia with a mountainous ride into Damascus. There Bimbo I's little sister, Nancy Bednar, and her friends will host us for a home-cooked lasagna dinner - yum! Damascus will also be "our final resting place" before pushing on to the finish in Yorktown!

Our "shout-out" tonight goes to Marti Lamar, who is having rotator cuff surgery tomorrow. Heal well and quickly, Marti!

SOMEWHERE IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, 10/18/10

Would anyone care for a furit?

October 18th, Hazard Kentucky

Today we ventured into the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. The name of the first town, Big Hill, should have given us a clue of what was in store. We continue to be blessed with amazing fall weather. The trees on the mountains were breathtaking as we entered Hazard. Tomorrow is our last full day in Kentucky as we ride the hills into Elkhorn City on the Kentucky/Virginia state line. Today marked the end of the seventh week of our adventure.....can you tell we are getting eager to reach the east coast?

Once again we were joined by family as Margi's brother, Steve, and his wife, Kelli, from Lexington, KY, joined us for dinner in Berea. Steve helped us plot tomorrow's route into Hazard.

October 15-17/Falls of Rough, Bardstown, Berea, KY

Bimboy II gets lots of practice, as Margi has a two-flat day.
Heavy fog gave us an excuse to dawdle over our breakfast buffet in Falls of Rough State Park.
At this point in the journey, we're pathetic - Bimbo I needs help getting off the sofa.
Late sunlight and autumn leaves at Falls of Rough. We continue to enjoy spectacular scenery.
The Bimbos finally meet their match - Can you tell who the "real girls" are?

October 15-17 Owensboro to Falls of Rough to Bardstown to Berea, KY

We are sorry that we have had no WI-FI the past two nights. There is a lot of catching up to do. The semi short (47 mile) ride from Owensboro, Kentucky to Falls of Rough was scenic and a little less hilly than the previous days ride. As it turns out, Rough is a river. We never saw the falls but understand that they do exist in times of less drought. When we arrived in the town of Falls of Rough we had no clue what was in store for us. The state park was not readily found so we had to call and ask for directions. It was about this time we began wondering what a "deluxe" cabin at Falls of Rough might be like. We eventually made it to the park headquarters where we entered an awesome looking building overlooking a drop dead gorgeous Rough River meandering through the park. Downstairs we found the restaurant. It was so good we had our next three meals there! Our cabin was great (once we found the second bathroom) and had a nice deck overlooking the woods and trail along the Rough River.

The next morning the fog was so thick we could hardly make it back to the restaurant. It was also the day we entered EDT. With two daylight hours lost (one due to the fog and the other, EDT) we decided to get creative about the days 97 mile route. Our bike routes are, for the most part, on rural backroads. While beautiful, they tend to be longer and hillier than they need to be. We decided to try a state highway or two and found them to be great. For the most part, the shoulders are wide and they are a lot less hilly.

We arrived in Bardstown with plenty of daylight left. Although we were staying at a hotel with WI-FI, it was apparently down for the next few days. We are loving the old cities we bike through. In, Elizabethtown, Illinois, it was fun staying in a building built in 1812. Last night, we tried having dinner in a tavern built in 1779. With an hour wait, we went across the street to an equally old, though not as good, restaurant.

We merged today's route with a few state roads and again made it to Berea before dark. We even had enough time to soak in the hot tub before dinner. Tomorrow's ride is 95 miles so we will see what creative rerouting we can dream up in the morning.

Our "shout out" tonight is a day late and we are sorry for that. Happy Birthday to Ann Cook who celebrated her 60th by doing the Long Beach 1/2 marathon yesterday with her husband Bob!

OWENSBORO, KY 10/15/10

Seven states down and two to go. Twelve biking days left to Yorktown, Virginia. The bikes are beginning to smell the barn!

We will be thinking of all of our friends running the Kansas City Marathon tomorrow. We hope the weather there will be a glorious as it has been here. Just so you know, not one of us has run a step since we left San Francisco.

Our "shout out" today goes to Norma Reynolds. Happy Birthday!

OWENSBORO, KY 10/14/10

"Go big or go home"
Ilea

You know, we make friends quickly. Ilea waited on our table tonight at the Texas Roadhouse and we knew right off the bat that she was part of the family. To hell with waiting tables. Go get your bike.

ELIZABETHTOWN, IL TO OWENSBORO, KY 10/14/10

Amish country Kentucky

Huh?

They forgot to put in the "Chas"

ELIZABETHTOWN, IL TO OWENSBORO, KY 10/14/10

River Rose Inn B&B. Ohio River in the background.

Grand Rose Hotel across the street from the B&B. Built in 1812!!

Ferry across the Ohio. FREE!

MURPHYSBORO TO ELIZABETHTOWN, IL 10/13/10

I cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of dates, images, or places any longer. I have no idea where I am or what day of the week it is. BIMBOY I


I do know that this photo was taken in Murphysboro just before a huge storm with wind, lightning, and hail.

Hmmm. I guess she is writing a letter to the Chilean miners. (in the bathtub??)

This is code. Some of you will recognize the River to River road markings.

BIMBO III before the rain hit going into Elizabethtown. This was the first time the pavement was wet when they finished the ride.

BIMBO III wants all of you to know that the BIMBOYs were sitting on a B&B porch while the rain came down. Since I've spent thousands of dollars on therapy, I don't do guilt. The porch was very nice. BIMBOY I.