Dipping Wheels in the Atlantic - Finally

OK, Here we are at the Atlantic Ocean, Tybee Island off of Savannah, GA. Some have suggested that we come back another year and finish the last 200 miles, but this is most likely NOT HAPPENING! We made it far enough to call it good. Thanks to all of you for following us across the country and reading about our antics and our explorations.

It has been a great adventure for all three of us and we are definitely the better for all we have seen and encountered. It is sad to see it end, but end it must. We love you all. Thanks for so much support. Martha, Kit & Bill

Day 34 - Madison to Milledgeville, Almost, and an early end to the ride

I will start by backing up to last night when Martha's son, Dan, and wife, D'Arcy, drove down from outside Athens, GA to have dinner with us. It was great fun for all with lots of good conversation and good food. Kit and Bill had heard so much about them that it was a great pleasure to finally meet them.

The morning proved to be just as the weather report had predicted. Lovely, balmy, windless, in other words, perfect. We rode along at a nice pace enjoying the pleasant countryside and good roads. we stopped 18 miles down the road for a little rest in Shady Dale, nothing more than a crossroads where the bank and City Hall were in the same building!




We were concerned about getting to Phill and Diane's house too early in the day. They are a couple that we contacted through a web site called Warm Showers and they had offered to put us up for the night plus dinner at their restaurant in Milledgeville. We were looking forward to meeting them but didn't want to descend upon them too early in the day and we only had about 30 more miles to go.

Well about 9 more miles down the road it happened. We had just turned onto another country road when about 5 or 6 dogs came running out at us. Kit was in front and the fastest of the group headed for her bike. However, instead of just coming along side, it ran right in front and down she went. There were several minutes there when nether Martha or Kit were sure if she would be able to get up off the asphalt, but eventually she did. It was quickly evident that she was not getting back on a bicycle, however. Martha called Bill who had passed them sometime earlier. By the time Bill arrived Kit was ready for drugs, strong pain relieving drugs! So, it was off the the emergency room where xrays showed a broken rib. What really hurt however was the pelvic area and between the two, putting on pants and pullover shirt wasn't going to happen. Martha went off to Walmart while Kit was having xrays and returned with some darling frocks that buttoned up the front and guaranteed she would fit right in with the rural Georgia crowd.

Once we left the hospital we had a bite to eat and went onto Phill and Diane's who took exceptional care of us. They have a lovely home 10 miles NW of Milledgeville on a peaceful lake. It was a nice place to decompress after the events of the day. Unfortunately with all the excitement, we all forgot to get a photo of them, but we thank them from the bottom of our hearts non the less.

The next morning we decide to made lemonade from lemons and head to the Georgia Coastal Islands for a couple of days before going onto Savannah were we already had reservations. If Kit can negotiate the sand, we still plan to dip our wheels into the Atlantic Ocean. We feel like we deserve it!

So although we are not quite finished traveling, we are done with the blog. Kit and Bill will take a couple of weeks to head home and Martha is flying out of Atlanta early next week.

Goodbye!

Day 33 - Layover Day in Madison, GA

OK Folks! You get a day off from reading, just pretty pictures of the lovely old historic buildings in Madison.





Oh yes, and a few few photos from the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum!

Day 32 Stone Mountain to Madison: The Town Gen. Sherman Spared

56.6 miles, 4:14 hours, 13.3 average


We were out of our motel at Stone Mountain Park just after 8, riding at first along a heavily trafficked road, then through more residential areas, then back to some traffic through industrial parks and scrap metal yards. Well, the riding can't always be perfect.

We stopped in Conyers, GA. At the Welcome Center, the old railroad depot, we learned that Conyers was the location of the 1996 Olympics Equestrian Center and mountain biking events. Another sleepy town with an old downtown that is attempting to survive. We were ready for breakfast as we had not eaten much before starting out, so we went into Evans Pharmacy for a bite a the soda fountain. We got to talking to a local gentleman enjoying his coffee, then the lovely ladies behind the counter, then Mr. Evans, the owner/pharmacist. Before we knew it the local newspaper reporter and camerawoman were called to document the biggest event to take place in recent history: two crazy ladies on bikes crossing the country. We were interviewed and photographed and will perhaps make it into the paper. Here are our Conyers fans:


The next town was Covington with it's lovely courthouse and homes, many from the mid-1800s. And then to Rutledge in a successful search for ice cream in their cute tiny downtown and park. We found out later that this was the route General Sherman and his forces used on the March to the Sea, as it followed the railroad.






By mid-afternoon we were in Madison, the only town General Sherman spared after an agreement between he and pro-union Senator Joshua Hill. Tomorrow we will take a day off and wander around, on foot, to see some of the magnificent homes. We splurged and had booked rooms in the new, but historic looking, very lovely James Madison Inn.

Day 31 - Powder Springs to Stone Mountain, Ga - We survive biking Atlanta

Miles: 41.2 Time: 3 hr. 40 min. Average: 11 mph

We are not up an out early this morning. We want to wait for the crazy commuter traffic to finish the morning commute before we get on the road. Kit has gone out early to get two street maps of Atlanta, one for Martha and Kit and one for Bill. We mark our route on each one and then we ready to tackle the big city that we have been so forewarned about by everyone we've talked to. We actually start by finishing up the last 8 miles on the Silver Comet Trail before we have to hit the streets. At the end of the SCT a lady just starting her bike ride helps us with directions onto the streets. She is enamored with our trip and wishes she could come along with us.

Our bikes have had a little rest on the grass, our legs are strong and ready but we are nervous about what lies ahead. Off we go, we start off with a few wrong turns, but no disasters and the traffic is in fact light - post commuter traffic. Soon we are off heavily traveled roads and into a lovely well established heavily treed neighborhood on the NW corner of Atlanta. Then back onto a busy road as we get closer to the downtown area; we miss a turn and end up riding through the center of Mid Town Atlanta on 14th street. However it is no problem. We even stop to take some pictures of the beautiful high rise building and take in the whole down town flavor. 14th takes us right into Piedmont Park.

Piedmont Park is quite large with lakes and open grassy area, dog park area, botanic gardens (which Bill spends several hours visiting) and winding pathways. Everywhere people are out enjoying the park and the lovely day. It is a true gem in the city. We stop for a bit to eat and exit the park on the east side and into another more modest but still quite lovely residential area.

Soon we pick up signs for the bike path that we will take the rest of the way, the Stone Mountain Bike Trail. Once we are on it we can throw the maps away. We have maneuvered through what we thought would be a hair-raising route through a metropolitan area of 5.5 million people!

We get to Stone Mountain Park about the same time that Bill does. As we approach the mountain we are taken by how out of place it appears. The center attraction is a big granite dome standing out of the green forest like a forgotten cyclops. It history is, among other things, being a major meeting place for the KKK. The granite dome rises 400 feet about the surrounding land and the north face is dominated by a carving of General Lee, Jefferson Davis and Stonewall Jackson. The carving took 50 years to complete as the original "artist" was fired and WWII interrupted it also. The park itself is immense with golf course, several hotels, two restaurants, a tram to the to of the mountain, conference areas, lakes and much more. It is now under private hands and so the emphasis seems to be on making money, but it is very well maintained and bicyclist, runners and walkers don't have to pay the $10 car entrance fee. We stay at the Stone Mountain Inn in the biggest room we've ever been in. Kind of wish we were camping, but a bed is nice and it is getting close to the end of our trip.

Day 30 Centre AL to Powder Springs GA Georgia On Our Minds

We left Centre. AL, the crappie capital the world!

Oh my goodness, what a day! We decided to combine two short days into one long one, our longest for the entire crossing of the country! Why, just because.

87.08 miles, 6:26 hours, 13:52 average

We were out the door at 7am greeting another cool clear morning, down the road to Piedmont AL. By 9am we were feasting on espresso and croissant sandwiches at the Solid Rock Cafe, a cute place and the only business existing in the old downtown area of Piedmont. It is sad, we have seen so many towns mostly closed down due to changes in the economy over time. Fortunately for this business, cyclists from the rail-trail add to the local clientele.



We then headed to the Welcome Center for information on The Chief Ladiga Trail. The old railroad bed has been converted into a paved trail for cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians. The Chief Ladiga runs about 40 miles from Anniston south of Piedmont to the GA border. There the Silver Comet Trail continues into the western suburb of Atlanta, Smyrna. Totaling 90 miles, it is the longest in the country. The very well maintained trail was a delight to ride.


Soon we were at the Georgia border, bidding goodbye to the Chief Ladiga and continuing on the Silver Comet Trail. We remembered while fighting the wind in Kansas that we wondered if we would ever see the Georgia state line!





Soon we were in Cedartown. GA. The old depot had been converted into a Welcome Center.
Cedartown was a little bigger town than Piedmont, and their downtown was not quite so deserted. We found a cafe and got some sandwiches to-go for further down the trail.




There was very little traffic on the trail until we got within 15 miles of Smyrna, then it was fairly busy. We were impressed with the condition of the trail, the benches along the trail, the park-like settings of the trailheads and parking areas. In the more remote areas there were stop signs along the trail at road intersections. Once the trail started crossing suburban roads, there were stoplights that the trail users could activate to stop vehicles on the cross streets. Very well done. There were old railroad tunnels to enter and trestles to cross.







It was a long day and we were happy to be at a Holiday Inn Express for the night. Bill picked us up at a trailhead and we drove the two miles to the motel, to return to that spot to start the next day. We discovered Ted's Montana Grill. Yep, Ted Turner has a chain of restaurants serving "made-from-scratch comfort food." The first one opened in January 2002 in Colombus, Ohio, and now there are 50 in 19 states. We really enjoyed the bison meat loaf, garlic mashed potatoes, squash casserole, and apple crisp. We went to sleep tired and with full bellies, anxious about riding through Atlanta the next day.

Day 28 - Layover in Scottsboro, Alabama

No photos and not much to say. Bill did laundry for all three of us in the morning while Martha and Kit worked on the blog. In the afternoon Martha and Kit washed bikes. Bill painted and watched football.

We all got re-organized and relaxed. Layover days are just like that! The fun part of the day was ordering in a pizza and watching the Amazing Race on TV.

Such party animals.

Day 27 Tim's Ford State Park, TN to Scottsboro, AL Into Alabama and a Scottish Festival

56.24 miles, 4:17 hours, 13.11 average

Another gorgeous clear cool day. We are loving this weather. After 10 miles of warm up along homes and fields out of Winchester TN, we tackled the 2 mile 11% grade. Our strong legs and iron lungs took us to the top of the Cumberland Plateau. Bill awaited us to document the climb.





We were able to peek through some residence's yards to see the view back down into the valley below. Several small towns and residences dotted the plateau as well as a wildlife management area. We wondered about the trailheads to the "Walls of Jericho." That 4 mile hike would not be ours to do.

Another historic moment occurred crossing the Alabama state line. That's 7 states out of the 8 for our eastern adventure.



After 35 miles we cruised down the other side of the plateau into the Scottsboro area and back on the shores of the very long and winding Tennessee River that we first crossed four days and many miles ago. In Scottsboro we met Bill at the town square to once again put the cars on the roof of the car. A four-land divided highway with not an inch of shoulder took us several miles to our motel.

From there after a quick change of clothes we headed to the North Alabama Highland Games and Festival. Each year the Tennessee Valley Scottish Society meets for a gathering with various clans sharing information, vendors booth, food (Haggis and Scotch Eggs were sold out by the time we arrived), music, dancing and athletic events. Most of the activities were over by the time we arrived, but we were able to meet Bruce who Martha had been in email contact with for valuable routing information. That was a very special occasion. The last several day's routes had been recommended by Bruce as well as other cyclists' routes in Kentucky and places yet to come.






Bruce and his friend, Dave, who were manning the Clan Irwin booth joined us for an Italian dinner for more route consulting and conversation.

Days 24, 25 & 26 - Dover, TN to Dickson, TN to Chapel Hill, TN to Winchester, TN - All is beautiful

Day 24 - Dover, TN to Dickson, TN - miles: 42.5 Time: 3 hrs 30 min Average: 12.5 mph

Day 25 - Dickson, TN to Chapel Hill, TN - miles: 70 Time: 5 hrs 20 min Average: 13 mph

Day 26 - Chapel Hill, TN to Winchester, TN - miles: 52.6 Time: 4 hrs Average: 12.7 mph

We start off on a clear cool morning and the day promises to be wonderful. However within a short distance Kit's rear derailleur starts to act up. After a small adjustment we are off again down lovely back country roads but a short time later the derailleur is again acting up and we have a lot of hills to go over. Not good! After several more tries at adjustments and Kit and Martha both pouring over the bike mechanic book, we give up and throw the bikes on top of the car again and drive 30 some odd miles to Clarksville where our research says is the closest bike shop.

Clarksville turns out to be a sweet town with a college - Austin Peay State College - and luckily for us a nice bike shop. The fellow makes some adjustments, says we are good to go and charges Kit nothing. Nice people here in TN. Since we have lost a good part of the morning we take a road back to our bike route that cuts off about 10 miles. By the time we get there it is noon, so we have lunch first before starting our riding again. The derailleur is not perfect, but Kit nurses it along and we enjoy the rest of a really lovely day. It is wonderful to have the cool and dryer weather after the heat and humidity of Missouri. We pass big houses, medium houses and small houses but almost all have front porches and on almost ever front porch you see at least one if not more rocking chairs. Must be the hot evening activity, rocking on the front porch. We also pass lots of signs for catfish and frogs legs.....YUMMM.

We have spent the night at a state park outside Dickson, Montgomery Bell SP. Another lovely day ahead. We are skirting around Nashville, TN and again the country side is lovely and the roads really great. We had been advised that just about any back road in TN is good for riding and we are finding that to be true. We pass many new lovely homes and they are on a minimum of one acre but usually more. We have lunch in a cute village, Leipers Fork, and Kit actually has catfish for lunch. The first she has every tried that she liked! The shop owner is delighted.

We are having so much fun on the back roads of TN that we miss a turn and have to ask direction to the next state park, Henry Horton, where Bill is waiting for us with the Tent Majal already set up. It was a long day and we are tired. However, Martha spends some time after dinner trying to make sense of the Map My Ride directions so that hopefully we don't go astray again. We vow to check the directions more often too.

Chapel Hill, TN (Henry Horton SP) to Winchester, TN proves to be yet another beautiful day. How can we get so lucky? We stop 20 miles down the road in Shelbyville, home of the Tennessee Walking Horse. We meet up with Bill and get little to eat in the old historic plaza. Afterwards Bill is off to Lynchburg, a scenic old village and a tour of the Jack Daniels Distillery. Bill can't resist purchasing a bottle of The Jack, not because he ever drinks it but because the bottle is so pretty! Maybe well need some in a couple of days as the nighttime temperatures are suppose to go below freezing!

Martha and Kit head onto Winchester and Tim's Ford SP. We pass by barns and signs of Tennessee Walking horses, one of the few breeds of naturally gaited horses. They are big and beautiful. We actually get to the campground before Bill today, a first for us, and lucky as this is a Friday night and the entire place is full by dark. Not quite a solitary night ahead.

We have been enjoying the Tennessee State Parks campgrounds and our wonderful meals...grilled pork tenderloin and pineapple with rice one night and the leftovers stuffed into green peppers with grilled yams and salad the next night. Not too shabby for camp dining!

For days now we have been enjoying the sights and smells of fall. As you can see the area is getting ready for the change in the season with fall decorations, vendors of mums and firewood.