Day 34 (5/30/22): A Different Kind of Day

Start:                  Harrodsburg, KY

End:                    Berea, KY

 Mileage:             53 miles

Elevation:           3876 feet

 First, happy Memorial Day everyone.

I’m writing this blog from inside one of those towers firefighters use for training.  Yes.  Today was different.

The ride today was a tough 50-miler.  Lots of hills, but as you can see in the gallery lots of great scenery as well.  Things got tougher as the day went on—a microcosm of the coming week.  Just checked.  I went over 100,000 feet climbed for the trip today.

I arrived in Berea—my destination for the night—at about 1:30, and given my nomad status I went full-on Maslow focusing on shelter, food and water, and power (as in power to charge all my devices…Maslow would have put this in his hierarchy had they been around back then).

Shelter.  My maps indicated the fire station in Berea allowed cyclists to camp behind their station.  It turns out that’s still the case.  After a call, I made arrangements to pitch my tent for the night.  The crew couldn’t be friendlier.  They were bummed because they used to have the cyclists sleep in the fire station, but Covid put an end to that.  They also were not allowed to have cyclists use their showers since Covid started…until today!  I just had the most unexpected, wonderful shower that I can remember.  I was not looking forward to sleeping in the grime that was me tonight. 

Food and water.  Berea is a beautiful little college town without a lot of restaurants open on Memorial Day.  I did find a Cracker Barrel—the new standby—and decided to go with my breakfast for dinner favorite.  They sat me by a power outlet which meant two things.  First, I was going to address some of my power needs, and second, it was going to be a long leisurely meal while I syphoned as much electricity for my phone, bike computer, lights, and satellite tracker as possible.  They brought me my check at 1.5 hours.  I think they wanted to get rid of me.  The server got a very big tip.

Then it was off to Walmart to pick up water and breakfast supplies for tomorrow.

I’m now holed up in the training tower because it’s shady.  It stays warm here for quite a while into the evening.  Once 5 p.m. rolls around in San Diego, it’s long-sleeve shirt time.  Not here.  It’s really cool they do this.  Trail angels.

What I’m Grateful for Today

I realize it’s a bit of a layup, but it’s Memorial Day and how can you not make note of the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom.  I thought I’d run into a few Memorial Day parades today, but I didn’t really run into much of anything between Harrodsburg and Berea other than trees and farms.  I remember watching and participating in the parade in Scotch Plains and Fanwood when I was younger.  One year we’d go Fanwood-Scotch Plains.  The other year we’d go the other way.  Both towns had nice ceremonies and long ago were very serious about honoring their fallen war heroes with very appropriate monuments.

It's also a day to appreciate the men and women who have served to defend the country.  I’m going to miss someone, and if it’s you, please tell me.  My brother Don (Air Force), cousin Jerry (Army), friend Keith (Navy), cousin Chriss (Army), cousin Stan (Army), colleague Harry (?), my Godfather Jerry (Coast Guard), friend John N. (Navy).  Thank you.