May11: I leisurely spent Mother's Day morning relaxing with Rob and Gabbi while Val jumped on the trampoline and played in the VW "Vanny ". I gave Gabbi a Mother's Day card as a big thank you for her great hospitality. After calling my mother and sending her my love, I suited up to get the show on the road. Gabbi set off for her present to herself: a stress free bike ride. She quickly returned to tell me there was a turtle in the road that needed rescue . Off I went to save the terrapin from a tire. What a great start to my day! I saw an email from Ted with exact and excellent route advice. I made a point to stop at his place in Earlysville and chat. I met his witty and well travelled wife, Lisa ( ?) and spent the next 4 hours chatting on all manor of subjects. It was a most enjoyable time to absorb ideas and perspectives. They offered me a full lunch of pasta, broccoli and toast with strawberries for dessert. I left their home feeling more full of ideas and a warm heart than a full belly...but just barely. Thanks Ted and (Lisa) for the hospitality and knowledge you passed on. I scooted via Ted's directions on all manner of 8 and 700 series back roads toward Crozet. Fox Mountain rd was a nice treat and had an interesting backwoods feel to it with cattle grazing through the woods and a few half clothed, beer bellied landowners leaning on rusting 30 year old American trucks. The houses were few and uncared for and the potholes plentiful. From here I worked up Sugar Hollow to the busy reservoir. At some point I lost a trailer light lens and backtracked 4 times bu never found it. I gave up looking and cruised over to crozet where I pulled in to Randy's driveway and eventually through his gate into the yard. We spent the evening talking on all manner of topics. He set a delicious meal of flank steak veggies, chicken sausage , and pita served with chilled Magic Hat and later Xopper Fox whiskey and single malt Islay.(started with a T)
I accepted his offer to sleep in the RV camper trailer "Cassida" and enjoyed the cool evening weather through the vents.
May12
I woke in the morning to the mourning doves and stirred the dogs to bark. He prepared a big spread of fruit to top the massive collapsing Bizmarck (breakfast pancake of eggs flour and butter). I washed it down with freshly prepared coffee in a belitta coffee maker. We chatted for a few hours until 10 when I decided to head west a bit. I gassed up on 250 then rode up Greenwood Rd and followed bike route 76 to 250. The ruckus labored up the grade and was constantly being passed. I saw a cop but he didn't hassle me. I turned into skyline drive and enjoyed a leisurely ride along the ridge while absorbing all the views and mountains in a flow of green down to the fertile valley below. After riding half of Skyline, I turned onto 33 W and cruised over to Georges to shoot the shit. 4 hours later, I reluctantly had to turn down Rosie' a offer for dinner and rushed over to Antonio and Marions just in time for fresh trout, asparagus, muffins and salad. Her cooking is fabulous and was served outdoors along the beautiful stream side patio they recently constructed. We sat outside beside the creek for the remainder of the eveneog discussing travel and life chooses of all sorts. I value the care and attention my friends have given me through the past three days. I know full well that months may pass in the future where I will never come across meals or conversation so beneficial. Sleepy.