Miles 45.33 Total Miles 526.24 Daily avg 58.47
Avg Speed 13.6 Max Speed 40.4 mph Alt Climbed 3533 ft
First climb up A Mountain started after 10 miles. We caught up with our friends "Three Guys and a Girl", who left an hour before us on the climb. Again, they are loaded with all their belonging and move at a slower pace then Kelly and I. There was an awesome, 6 mile descent into Council where we reached speeds of 40 mph. As we were coming down the mountain dark thunderstorm clouds were forming ahead so we stopped on the porch of Council Elem School just as the lightening started. We spent 2 hours watching the school children return from rained out field trip to the town park. The school janitor was nice enough to provide Kelly with a trash bag to use as a rain jacket, which we didn't really need as skies cleared up for the rest of the ride.
We pulled off the porch following the thunderstorm and immediately I received the first flat tire of the trip, to soon be followed by another just five minutes later. Twenty-three miles and three long climbs remained between Council and Breaks where we were camping for the night. With our improving fitness level, climbing these long, and at times 14% grade hills, was no problems. We keep the thought of the exhilarating decent from the top always at the back of our minds to make the climbing less painful.
Pulled into Breaks Interstate Park on the KY, VA border at 1:45, caught up with Joey and Lindsey, who was visiting from Charleston, WV for the night. The rain started as soon as we got the tents set up and did not stop until 4:00am. Although it raining, it was dry and comfortable in the tents. Sleeping was the night of a thousand naps with the rain and thunder.
When the rain first started we set up a canopy over the truck tailgate. Here we could sit protected from the rain. A few moments later the thunder started, this spooked Roxy, who jumped into the truck bed, burrowing herself as far back into the truck as possible, climbing on top of the cooler for security. I manned the camp while the kids stayed warm and dry in the lodge playing a board game, and running into "3 guys and 1 girl" once again.
Breaks Interstate Park, operated by KY and VA, is called the Grand Canyon of the East. The Russell Fork River snakes through the steep rock and tower walls. There are beautiful views from the Lodge, Restaurant and many hiking trails. Virginia has some amazing State Parks I am glad we were able to visit Hunger Mother and Breaks on our journey west.
Good-bye Virginia, Hello Kentucky
"Three Guys and a Girl"
Elk Garden Methodist Church
Waiting out the thunderstorm
VA sign designating our route across the state
Roxy seeking protection from the thunder
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