Floyd County

As I'm leaving the restaurant there's a flash. I'm driving back to the campground in a thunderstorm. I've just about had it with this weather. At noon I was in showers, at 3 I was sweating, at 5 was a downpour, and now the moon and stars are out after a downpour. The rain ran down the tent flaps and was channeled straight in. All the sheets are wet and all my gear, like my rain gear (which are now wet inside and out), my riding shoes (I only have one), my riding jacket (ditto). So tomorrow is probably shot so I can do laundry - something like 2 changes of clothes and 2 washcloths, just because I have to have a dry jacket and blankets. I'm real damn fortunate it's so warm right now. I think I'll be able to get some sleep. Maybe tomorrow will be nice. I'll wipe down the bike so it's nice and shiny again and nap in this giant field in the afternoon sun. I was thinking earlier, when I was sitting at the gas station waiting for that storm to pass, that I don't even mind when things don't go as planned. That's part of the fun in having a memorable time in life. I'm getting to see neat things like the caverns and talk to lots of people, like Bill and Boris from Toronto, or the guy at the gas station with the hearing implant, he also had a big Honda with trailer and was also going to the Blue Ridge Parkway. I think I'm bothered that something I should have anticipated messed up a lot of my plans.

HOLEY SHIT what the hell is that noise? It sounds like two pieces of metal just scraped across each other. And it's calling again and again. Wow, I've about had enough of this trip. What thing makes a noise like that?Read more