Kentucky Days

Beautiful winding roads

Climbing

Ted and I named this cat Morris Can you believe
Ted is petting the cat?

This is my caffeinated Girl!

Kentucky Horses

Running Water Cliff Side

Kentucky Coal Miners country

Aloha Everyone,
After not being able to connect to the internet I went and did laundry and tried again with success. Boy the last couple of days has been rough. The weather has been thunderstorms for three days not all day but last night it stormed heavily. We had to camp at a gas station because we could not make our destination before dark. So Ted at the BP station said we could camp in the yard next door and he would leave the bathrooms open for us. Then after dinner with Leigh and Margaret they camped with us too we went back to the gas station and another man came up and said he owned the land we were camping on but said no problem we could camp there and pee in the woods as he had a nice path cut. Somehow the bathroom door got locked so we were without a toilet till 6am. It stormed like mad last night this morning everything was wet! We have been doing some killer climbs like 10% to I'm not sure but possibly 14%. They look straight up and keep going. We had to ride on the highway this afternoon as well which was tough, big hills to climb with the coat trucks flying past us. This part of Kentucky is really sad, garbage in the rivers and roads and most of the people don't care. Yesterday I stopped counting after 8 dogs had come out after us only the first one really scared me as he was a huge German Shephard and he was running down the hill towards us. I rode for probably 20 miles with the pepper spray in my hands. Most of the dogs though just want to run along side and bark and carry on. We thought things were going to get easier once into Kentucky but this place is equally hard. Everything I own is wet. I have taken up to peeing on the side of the road because ticks are a major problem around here and I don't want any ticks where the sun doesn't shine so I just do it! These folks pump gas while smoking a cigarette even saw one guy leave his truck running and smoking while pumping can you imagine? We have a couple more big climbs tomorrow but having this nice bed to sleep in tonight should help my morale. I will try to post some pictures.

Keep the Rubber side down,
Lisa

Many Days from Friday to Tuesday

Aloha everyone,

So sorry I have not been able to update for awhile I wrote a real nice summary in txt but cannot post for some reason so I hope you all have been reading teds blog you can link to teds blog from my page on the right hand side. So with that said I will try to catch up to date before we go to dinner.

Friday Christiansburg to Wytheville
We left this morning with traffic not too bad considering we are riding in a big town for us. Up and down started again but alot of good riding.

Saturday Wytheville to Troutdale
Had a great day for riding and lots of ups and downs. We stayed at the Baptist Church Hostel which was great. The applachian through hikers were staying too. They are going fromGeoriga to Maine by hiking this trail those guys are nuts. Jerry kitchen is where the grinds are. We had a wonderful dinner and breakfast. I think Ted is really starting like biscuits and gravy, I told him he could even get gravy on his dinner if he wants too. Rode past a young lady to day and I said hi and she responded with Howdy!

Sunday Troutdale to Damascus
We loaded up with our stuff and stopped on the way out of town for our breakfast of biscuits and gravy, eggs, potatoes, coffee. The hills were still pretty steep and just today we saw a couple who had the elevation profiles and Wow we did some climbing and my legs can tell. We got to Damascus early as planned so we ould get our laundry done and check out the town. It was a little rainy when we got in but not too bad. We stayed at the Methodist church Hostel which was pretty dirty.

Damascus to Council Not all Sunday drivers are alike.
Today the people were anxious for a Holiday Sunday. I had one guy yell at me and another lady got up along side of me and honked at me. I told Ted I was going to find her and give her a piece of my mind. I did see her in town but kept my mouth closed.
Today was good we rolled out pretty early in the morning and had biscuits and gravy you know the routine. The sky was looking a little rainy and we did get rain towards the end of the day. Man today was tough we had a constant 4 mile climb I called it to heaven. Wow we stopped halfway up for lunch. Then on again and then the rain started but not before we did some more ups and downs. We stopped in town and talked to a young. Sorry got side tracked a big lightening bolt just zapped outside the window. Wow...... Anyways this young man told us only 2 more hills to council man was I glad but he was mistaken not only was it raining and traffic like crazy cars and trucks zooming by we had more than 2 hills to go. I told Ted to please stop me from ever asking a local person how many more hills to the top. We got to the park and no one was around and the pool was closed so we found a nice picnic shelter located by the bathrooms and set up camp thinking someone would be by to take care of us but no one ever showed up. So we had a good nights sleep under the picnic shelter.

Council to Breaks Interstate Park Day 14
Got up and had oatmeal for breakfast as we were out in the middle of nowhere and thought there was a store about a mile up ahead. We had to climb to get out of the park, ugh as my legs were tired from yesterday. There was no store but we were good anyways. Further down we happened upon a gas station and got Bacon Cheeseburgers the kind you microwave and gatorade and for me a diet coke. All set we took off through really nice countryside and said good morning to the cows and sheep as we passed by. The day was going well we pulled into Haysi and found a subway sandwich shop so we picked up sandwiches and had a coke. Oh my leaving town was a surprise this was the steepest part so far I had to walk as I was not prepared for this section and the coal trucks were zooming by and really scary. We decided to get off our bikes when we hear them coming as they are so loud you can't mistake them. We continued on for a good 4 miles and decided to stop for lunch alongside the road we sat our butts right down on the dirt we did not care at this point we just needed a break. I told Ted I thought today was the first time on our trip that I actually thought I was going to throw up, it was the chugging of the coke when we got our sandwiches but I didn't. After lunch we continued our climb and saw a scenic rest stop ahead so we pulled over and some young guys on motorcyles engaged us in conversation and let us know to go out about 300 yards to the lookout we did and it was beautfiul. THEN the Rain started we heard the thunder boomers coming over our shoulders we waited out the rain for the most part and took off for our destination which was fairly close we pulled into Breaks Intersate Park paid the lady and continued uphill to the Lodge we are staying here inside and I am so happy about that because the sky poured rain. This area is considered the Grand Canyon of the East I wish someone would of told me that before we climbed for 8 miles. Not really I think it's better not to know it is stunning. Reminds me alot of Waimea canyon on kauai except more green.
We met another couple from Alaska who missed the rain but I now if they stayed here to camp they are wet now. Ok
Keep the Rubber Side down,
Lisa

Various Photos from the Road

Blue Ridge Park way Virginia

Ted with the Cookie Lady Afton Viriginia


Aloha,
Thursday May 21st Day 10
Today we are having a rest day in Christiansburg Virginia. Ted friend Paula came up from South Carolina to visit. We went to Dinner at Outback Steak House and then today we went to the movies and the mall. Please enjoy the photos I hope to keep up better with my blog but on my main page you can link to Ted's blog which more current and alot nicer pictures than mine.

These guys were playing all tough and barking and kinda running towards us. I just showed them the pepper spray can and they put on the brakes.

Many days and pictures

Day 5 charlottesville Virginia Rest Day number 1
This morning we had to move out of our motel as it was full for the University off Virginia Graduation. We moved to the Alexander House across town it is a hostel run by Brad. It was perfect we shared a room with a couple one from Oregon and one from Hawaii how is that for ironic. Fabian got the single room because it was his birthday otherwise I would of pulled my cards by being the female. Ted and I went and cruised downtown area very nice. They had a really cool cat store but I could not buy anything. We went out to dinner at a place called Beer Run they had 300 plus kinds of beer I sampled a few they were good and had black bean nachos for dinner. Then we had to run to our hostel because the sky opened up into a huge thunderstorm. I do miss the thunder and lightening. Off to bed as we had a big day on Sunday. We also met a couple of ladies from Arizona Tricia and Sarah from Washington D.c. Tricia gave me a button for my bike and talked story for awhile. They are going to follow our blog.





Day 6 Charlottesville to Afton Virginia 35 miles.
We meandered through town Sunday morning a little rainy but not complaining. We had to go through the University of Virginia and through 450000 people trying to get to graduation. Wow it was crazy. We went to breakfast at the little diner we had dinner at before. I had another huge breakfast and we were ready to roll by about 10am. Leaving Charlottesville it was cold Ted and I were bundled up like little snow people. We had some nice climbs and soon we were sweating and wanting to remove all the clothes we had on but Ted said we should keep them on beacause the downhills will make us cold. BRRRR. We had a lunch stop at another famous gas station. We bought peanut butter and jelly and bread as there were not any other stops along the way and we were going to the cookie lady. There were some big hills going to the cookie lady the last one in particular was a 3 mile climb and here place was right about the 2 mile section. We pulled up the the cookie lady house and her cousin renee helped us and opened the door. Wow, I was almost in tears to actually be here standing in her living museum. We logged our names in the register and got ready for dinner. Cup of Noodles and sandwiches. The house was freezing cold but Ted was the only brave one to take a cold shower outside in the mountains. I could not do that so I went to bed dirty and cold underneath 4 blankets.


Day 7 Afton Virginia to 10 miles Outside Vesuvius 44 miles

The thermometer read 42 degrees this morning. Heated up some coffee on the stove top had a danish and went to meet June Curry the Cookie Lady. She was expecting us when we walked up she was feeding her Rooster and wild Black Cat. She is 88 years old and is truly a living legend so sweet. We talked story for a good hour. She told us how she became the cookie lady all the way up to today and what is going on. We had our picture taken and it will become part of the cookie lady legend. She has a helper recording everyone who has come through. We stalled long enough it was time to get moving up the rest of the hill. I was in the lowest possible gear and made it up very slowly but I made it. Yeah Yippee I am so happy. Fabian has been having trouble with his knee so we split at this point and he is on his way to Waynesboro to see a Dr. and decide what to do. Ted and I pushed on and entered the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped at the entrance and decided he would be Clark and I will be Lewis silly I know but who cares. The Parkway is stunning and all uphill we climbed just in the parkway 2810 Feet. We stopped at most of the overlooks to stretch and take in the scenery. We had to pack everything we needed for the next 30 miles as there are no services in the parkway. We stopped at the Visitor center and had peanut butter sandwiches. Pat and Virgnia caught up to us and had lunch on our rock. As we were leaving a really nice family stopped and asked what we were doing and wanted to take our picture. Off again to do some more climbing needing to take it slowly but not having to walk my bike that makes me smile. It was really cold up there we went up to 3200 feet at one point. The Mountains were incredible. A lot of motorycycle tourists came flying by us. We got off the Parkway about 5pm and had to go down the Mountain to Vesuvius. This is by far the steepest scariest thing I have ever done on a fully loaded bicycle. Wow 4 miles of adrenaline pumping excitement. We had to feather our brakes to keep them from blowing out our tires as the rims get so hot they burst the rubber. We stopped a couple of times. We pulled into Getites Store and got dinner which consisted of sandwiches and crackers with military cheese. Gertie let us sign the wall in the store because we were from hawaii. She gave us a postcard of the store and asked us to mail a card to her when we get home. The people out here are so kind. Each time we approach another small town I get out my pepper spray because it goes without saying some little or big dog is going to come after us. A lot of people do have the invisible fence around there yard which is good. The invisible fence worked really well when a HUGE Rottweiller came charging after me and he stopped on a dime at his designated fence underground. Thank goodness because I was thinking I don't have enough pepper spray for this guy. Most of the dogs see the can and retreat back to their yard as if to say oh ok you have that stuff never mind. We cruised to our Hostel at Mallard Duck and met up with Virginia and Pat and met another guy named James. We showered with Hot water “yes” and relaxed until 9pm and then we all had lights out. It was the end of the toughest day I think really ever for me. The ride out of Vesiuvius was very beautiful the river ran right along side of us and the railroad track was on the other side now thats's what I call riding.




Day 8 Mallard Duck to Troutville Virginia 54 miles

1.When we woke this morning Pat's thermometer read 34 degrees. It was really hard to get moving and so we stalled until almost 10am as the temp was almost 50 by then. We were bundled up. The river was next to us this morning and was so beautfiul we even saw a few guys out there fishing. We stopped at the gas station for breakfast and were outside eating when Chuck and Matt pulled in. They just met up to do this ride Matt is from Neatherlands and Chuck is from California. Matt is totally Gung Ho riding like 18 miles and hour so they agree on a spot to catch up with one another. We rode Through Lexington hoping to find a Macdonalds or Taco Bell but no luck so we continued on. The hills were not bad today and if I had to choose my favorite day so far this would be it. I really like riding next to the river. It did warm up and we removed our outer garmets and enjoyed the sunshine. We passed up going to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World at Natural Bridge beacause it is tooo touristy. We stopped at the gas station for more fuel and continued on through doing a little more climbing and getting a little turned around since Fabian is not with us it's up to Ted and I to figure out where we are going and since I don't have an odometer I have to ask Ted to track the mileage and it gets a little confusing but all is good. We came into Buchanon and I spotted the Burger King so we stopped and picked up our dinner for this evening. Then it was off to Troutville 14 miles away, the afternoon was warm and sunny doing a little more climbing sometimes I think all we do is travel uphill. My Legs are sore. We pulled into Troutville and found the park and Lee and Lynn flagged us in and showed us where to set up and we talked story with them for a while. They said Cecil would be by later to have us sign the guest book. We ate our dinner and then I went across the street to the fire station and had a hot shower. Cecil came by and we talked for a while and then I got to work at writing this journal we have been without internet but I can atleast type and then cut and paste. It is after 10pm so I must stop for now because I need my rest. Ok everyone thanks for reading and until next time Keep the Rubber side down,
2.Lisa

Day 4 Mineral to Charlottesville Virginia

Aloha Everyone,

This is where we camped in Mineral at the Fire Station and you see the train how close it is Thank Goodness for Ear Plugs! I think the train came through 2times and then we had a thunderstorm and it rained real hard for a while. This was our first night camping. Then we got to use the showers in the fire station. OUr day to charlottesville was another long one we clocked 58 miles. Getting stronger but it was tough we had some good hills to climb and I almost had to walk for the first time. It feels like my legs are on fire or just too heavy to move. We had alot of traffic in parts of this day. We went 30 miles without any services so we prepared for that. We met Claudia and Missy at Kents Store post office and they were very energetic and fun. Please check out Teds Post by going to the right of my page I have a link to his journal. Also, I will put Fabians Link on there too. They have the really good cameras and alot more stories than me. We had lunch at this hitchin Post in Palmyra. We made Charlottesville just before 8pm we are at the Budget Inn across from this awesome Diner. On the road we met Danny who is going towards California and has to be back by mid july. I must go for now. Gotta get the laundry done before we head out.

Keep the Rubber side down,
Lisa

Day 3 Mechanicsville to Mineral virginia

Aloha Everyone,










First off I am so excited to be getting this done and thanks for your patience. Leaving Mechanicsville was beautiful scenery as all of this part of Virginia is. We meandered along the countryside and had lunch in Ashland. We lunched at some hippie coffee bar with a lot of college students from Randolph Macon college. Ted and I had Panini's cause he did not know what else to order:-) On our way we started to climb a few hills and it was pretty quiet. It is so nice to travel without any cars. My legs were starting to get tired as this was our first 60 mile day. Woohoo. Pulling into Mineral we had to climb a hill so we rested in someone's driveway and he came out and asked if we were ok and to let us know we were close to the fire station. Hallelujah! We pulled into the fire station and unloaded our gear and put up our tents and went promptly to the gas station for Beer. Then we went across the street and I had pizza and a brownie. Can yo imagine the guilt I feel with consuming these calories only to wake up hungry in the middle of the night. So far to date I think I have eaten 3 homemade brownies, a piece of carrot cake, hot dog, hamburger, pizza, beer, bagels, chips, jolly ranchers and other crap I'm sure I'm I can't remember right now. I have also had salad and tons of bananas. I find I have to be careful what I eat for lunch because it has a tendancy to come back at me on the first climb out of town so I have consumed all of my tums. My body is getting stronger everyday and we are all a little worried about what's up ahead. But One day at a time. enjoy the photos.
Until Then,



Keep the Rubber side down,

Lisa

Day 1 photo

Aloha Everyone,

I have been having several delays in getting my blog done mostly being too tired at the end of the day. Here are a few photos to enjoy The top one is how I officially dipped my tire in the Atlantic Ocean, I did not want to get my rims wet with salt water. Next almost right off the bat Virginia and her Dad Pat started having bike problems. Pat ended up going to Washington D.C. that evening with his wife who is sagging for them and getting a new bike. What a start for them. Here is Kevin who is from Hawaii came out and rode with us for the day and then made homemade Musubi for us. MMMM boy that was the best Spam I have ever eaten. Gatorade too. The last picture is where we stayed the first night River Rest Marina in Outside of Charles City.

I hope you all enjoy the photos.

Day 2 Charles City to Mechanicsville Virginia

Aloha Everyone,

We left Charles City River Rest Marina about 9am and meandered through beautiful countryside. We saw bunches of Eagles flying low looking for breakfast and hoping we were not it. We stopped about 10 miles in at a little gas station/store and had breakfast sitting outside watching all the local traffic prepare for their days. Ted made a comment about how slow these people move. I thought that was funny since we live on Molokai which is pretty slow already. Then he says I notice these people always say How Ya-all Doing? So I did have a couple of good laughs. Riding on through the beautiful countryside we were amazed at how courteous most drivers were. Only a couple of crazy trucks came whizzing by. The afternoon saw Heavy traffic coming into Mechanicville and we decided to stop and get a hotel as it is real cold in the morning when we wake up. Had a great dinner at Ruby Tuesday then I was off to do laundry next door so when I got back I was too tired to write my log or upload pictures so here is short version for now. Enjoy

Day 1 Yorktown to Chalres City Virginia

Day 1 May 12, 2009

We left the hotel about 9:00am and went to 7-11 to get air in my tires. We started riding towards the victory monument in Yorktown to do the official picture taking and dipping of the tires in the Atlantic ocean. Before we arrived at the monument we were peddaling along and all of a sudden bang not more than 20 feet from Ted and I two cars smashed into one another, talk about an adrenaline rush to an already nervous feeling as we are just starting our journey across america. We were all a little shuck up we stopped to make sure everyone was ok and only one of the drivers was a little shocky and the police arrived so we went on our way. My thought was good we got that out of the way.
We did the dipping and photoing and went on our way to Williamsburg and was looking out for Kevin to come and meet us from the opposite direction. Not more than 5 miles down the road Pat and his daughter virignia were pulled over and having problems and needed a special wrench we did not have it so we went on as his wife was sagging for them and would be by shortly. Kevin met up with us and we ventured into Williamsburg which is really neat and authentic so much so we could not find a fast food restaurant so we ate at the Wawa market. I had a hot dog, pretzel and fig newtons. On our way again to Jamestowne were Kevin had left his car and we had musubi and gatorade there went to bathroom. Then we got to ride on the Capitol Trail which was perfect as not motor vehicles are allowed. When this ended we had to go onScenic route 5 wwhich is really narrow and no shoulder. We called ahead to River Rest Marina and booked a room for $65.00 and then went straight to the restaurant for a couple of beers while Ted took his shower and did his laundry. I was next with the Shower followed by Fabian. We then had bagels, chips and salsa for dinner with coffee. Fabian says we burned approximately 3500 calories today.
Here tonight loading up pictures and relaxing as the night is turning dark and a little cold. There are Bald Eagles all over the place and a lot of fishermen, they are catching catfish. Sure wish I could have some of that.
Ok, I'm done.

Keep The Rubber Side Down,
Lisa
42 miles and smiling.

Hours and Counting

Aloha Everyone,

We are down to a few precious hours until the official start. My bags are packed but as I look over I see Ted's bed is still covered with stuff. We had to turn the heat on tonight as we are freezing. Crystal and Anthony came and took us to the Laundromat and out to dinner. We also stopped by the local bike shop and picked up flags, vests and couple other items. Then we went to GI Joes and we purchased our pepper spray, I got a baclava for my face and a hat. So take a look at the photo below and let me know if you recognize this guy and if you do would you be afraid of him on a bicycle cause I am. He reminds me of Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs I told to stay away from me as I am loaded with pepper spray.

One question I have is why do we use pepper spray on the dogs and ring a little bell on our bikes to keep the Bears away? Seems a little odd to me.

We meet Fabian at 7am and we go to breakfast then it's off to Yorktown for official dipping of the rear tire in the Atlantic Ocean.

I'm not sure when we will have internet access again so until then Keep the Rubber side down,

Lisa

YorkTown Virginia Hotel

Aloha,

This is a picture of our room in YorkTown Virginia it looks like a housekeepers nightmare but it's not. Do you think we have enough stuff? I do :-)

Today we met a guy named Fabian who is also starting the transam on Tueday so I think we might all start together or at least kinda keep up with each other during our trip. He is from Portland Oregon.

Crystal and Anthony came and got us today we went to Wal-Mart for our last minute stuff. Ted put our bikes together and everything seems to be working nicely. Yeah, thanks Ted your da bomb.
Today was warm and sunny. PS, there are ticks and mosquitos here.

Keep the Rubber Side Down,

Lisa

Planes Planes every where a plane.

Aloha Everyone,
I left Molokai onThursday and spent the night in Oahu for the night. My adventure started right off the bat with my first flight. It took us almost 1 hour to get to Oahu. I don't know where we went but we did take the long way. I finally mentioned to my seat mate sitting with me at the exit row as to why we had been in the air for so long as I had seen the land like 10 minutes ago and her response was did the landing gear come down and for all of you who know me my heart started racing and I wanted off this plane. I said now that you mention it no it did not come down. She says let me look out the window, by this time I am beside myself and I jokinly tell her she has to go sit in the back of plane because now I am scared. She apologized and informed me she had been a flight attendant for 17 years and so I told her to stay right here as I might need her to open the emergency door. Finally we landed and still don't have any idea what was going on. Took the bus to Waikiki and enjoyed my time there and then boarded the bus the next morning and headed back to the airport. I took United flight 2 from Oahu changed planes in Chicago and arrived in 'charlotte North Carolina changed planes again and arrived in New Port News Viriginia just after lunch. Teds daughter Crystal and her friend Anthony came to town and we all went to lunch and to the verizon store to get Ted a telephone. We are in the room now and trying to figure out where the Wal mart store is. As soon as I get batteries for my camera I will have some pictures. Ok I am signing out and going to try and get some rest for now. Everything seems very surreal at the moment. Ted noticed there are no shoulders on these roads. HMM.

Keep the rubber side down,
Lisa

Sushi Sale

Aloha,
Well here I am the night before my departure for Oahu uploading more music for my ipod and cleaning house.
This week has been flying by so far.

Monday Marcel and family put on a sushi sale for Ted and I. Bless her Heart Marcel got up at 3:30am to prepare all of the sushi for our sale. This is the second time she has been so generous and hosted a sushi sale. We owe her big time! It was a success.

Tuesday we went to the school and gave a presentation of the trans America bike trail. The kids were really quite impressed with the presentation and have asked us to come back after our trip and show them our modern day photos. Anna brought her slides from 1979-80 from when she did the bike trail and the slide projector was an interesting topic as the teacher had never seen such an antique. They use all digital equipment these days. It was pretty funny. So thanks to Anna she had the pictures for all of us to see.

Wednesday was my last day of work. Liz the Fed ex driver came and picked up my boxes of personal stuff, it will be there waiting for me in Virginia. 50lbs can you believe it? I can't.
Teri brought over Chili Verde for dinner mmmm very good. So at this point my house is clean and ready for my departure. I have turned over all the keys and responsibilities to Fern.

Ok, I gotta run it's time to change cd's

Keep The Rubber Side Down,
Lisa