It's been two weeks and I've finally gotten out of Virginia!
Day 12: Took a rest day in Damascus, VA. Talked to some more AT hikers, each with an interesting story to share. My friend James, who had met up with me previously in the trip and whom I biked from Vancouver to San Diego with three years back, came to visit. I was initially planning to ride to his house 35 miles over the Tennessee and North Carolina borders, but ended up saving the 70 mile round trip, but also failed to visit North Carolina and Tennessee on this trip. Oh well. James brought me some supplies that were shipped to his house, and filled me up on some touring knowledge before parting.
Day 13: Rode from Damascus, VA to Elkhorn, KY, about 81 miles. I finally crossed the Virginia/Kentucky border! Virginia is known as one of the most challenging states, with very steep climbs up hills and mountains. This day will probably be one of the most challenging of the trip, with two mountains and three steep hills adding up to a mountain in height. Crossing the Appalachians isn't easy. Ended the day camping by the river in Breaks Interstate Park just over the Kentucky side of the border.
Day 14: Rode from Elkhorn City, KY to Wheelwright, KY, about 40 miles.
Another challenging day with two more mountains plus a steep hill. I've now crossed the most challenging part of the Appalachians, and what will likely be the most challenging segment of the whole trip. It started pouring just after getting to the top of the second of the day's mountains. Luckily there was a closed store at the top with an awning that we waited out the storm under. A few from the Penn State group that I have been riding with got soaked while still coming up the mountain. We went down the mountain once the rain stopped, and decided to cut the day short. We were lucky that the father-daughter pair, now a day ahead, had found a welcoming Baptist church with showers and beds to spend the night in. We got in touch and ended up staying at the same place.
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