NORTH CAROLINA!!!

Cree says:

Thank goodness for and overcast sky and country roads! Today was a good, smooth ride and seeing the North Carolina state line sign was *so* nice. I feel like we keep saying "yep, we are going to North Carolina", but never really thought about being in NC. Crazy! It's fun to process the trip, as we did at lunch today, and see our different perspectives and memories of it. 

The dogs, as referenced in dad's post, were a crazy part of the day. Legs just warming up, feeling the burn a bit, and then hearing dad say "go, go, go! I'll kick 'em, just go!" I heard them, but also 100% thought, "you're just playing with me right??". We both got a kick out of that. 

Excited to be so close to the finish line and just a bit anxious (as in extra careful) as getting in a bad spot these last two days (with such low milage) would be quite the bummer. 

He says:

I know we've been complaining a lot the last 4-5 days about the weather/heat, VA roads, the wind, and distances. But that wore us out. We finally are catching a break here as we close out the trip. We had mostly tail winds ( at times cross winds), mild early morning temps, and overcast skies for the ride today and only 42 miles.  That makes for a decent day of riding along and way better spirits for these last 3 days.  Tomorrow's ride looks about the same and then 20 miles to finish off Friday is, well, a walk in the park. So we are coming back to life to say the least.

Mostly took our time this morning with a 7:45 departure and done by noon. Thanks Red Roof for an early check-in (we've gotten pretty lucky to get in early everywhere we've stopped).  Grabbed some lunch, cleaned up, and got a good amount of work in with this kind of schedule.  So all things looking up now.  One last thing.... Creean's tires made it a whole day... wow!

Got our first dog chase in today and that was pretty funny to say the least. We'd just stopped for 15 minutes or so, and our legs were still warming up when that all started. 2 medium sized dogs decided to go for a run thinking we had trespassed or had treats or something.  They weren't too close to catching us, but it was funny to watch Creean's little legs ride fast and hard.  She was out front leading and I scream "GO, GO, GO!!".  She was "Serious?". It was a "yes" and she took off. Off course, I'm like "you just have to beat me!".  Anyway, just a fun all out spurt for 45 seconds or so before the dogs gave up. But, Creean's up for a new "danger" now she didn't realize we had getting back on some country roads.


Stats:

Miles - 42 (955 total)
Calories - 2,334  (45,985 total)
Time - 3:30 (108:45 total)
Total Climb - 1,377 feet (34,977 total)
South Hill VA _ Henderson NC
Red Roof Inn Room 215
Walmart (Green juice), Taco Bell ( burrito and mini quesadilla)


Getting a good start out of South Hill this morning. Easy traffic and mild weather

US Highway 58 for an easy stretch of the road ( and LOTS of road)

Again... we get really excited and motivated when we see these signs!

Great ride along numerous tobacco fields today.

Yeah, we're used to that look by now... the "What are you doing!?" look

We missed the VA sign crossing the Potomac, we we'll grab it on the way out.
VA is not for bikers... can't really attest to it being for lovers though.

This sign got us way energized and way excited.  11 states ( and DC) in 21 days and this is one sign we've been waiting to get to !!

Just a random pretty little NC homestead

Creean's daily bridge crossing

Beautiful North Carolina country roads

Today's route