I wrote this in two sittings. Updates are noted.
Iris, Jon and I rolled into Wytheville around 8:00 on Friday night. We sent Jon downtown to investigate entertainment options for the evening, while Iris tried to convince several hotels to give us a room for free. Jon called around 8:45, informing us that he had located an outdoor music festival with cheap beer. He also informed us that he had met the mayor. Long story short, we woke up this morning in the spare bedroom in the house of the mayor of Wytheville, VA. His wife made us breakfast. We hung out for a while with his 16-year old son, Tyler, who reminded me so much of Shane. I miss my brothers.
Iris, Jon and I rolled into Wytheville around 8:00 on Friday night. We sent Jon downtown to investigate entertainment options for the evening, while Iris tried to convince several hotels to give us a room for free. Jon called around 8:45, informing us that he had located an outdoor music festival with cheap beer. He also informed us that he had met the mayor. Long story short, we woke up this morning in the spare bedroom in the house of the mayor of Wytheville, VA. His wife made us breakfast. We hung out for a while with his 16-year old son, Tyler, who reminded me so much of Shane. I miss my brothers.
We're getting ready to officially enter the Appalachians in the next few days. Things are starting to get extremely hilly. We looked at some topo maps hoping to find an easier route, but I think we're going to have to suck it up and climb some moutains.
As is frequently the case in my life, I've run into a few difficulties. First, my ipod dock broke. This is a bigger deal than one might think. It is hard to bike for 7 hours a day without music. I'm hoping to find a replacement dock at the Wytheville WalMart.
UPDATE: $30 for a dock?! The ipod only cost $50. This is absurd. I hate Steve Jobs.
UPDATE: $30 for a dock?! The ipod only cost $50. This is absurd. I hate Steve Jobs.
Second, something is wrong with my hands. After googling my symptoms, I think that I am experiencing "Handlebar Palsy", which is something that I did not know existed. However, there are numerous websites available, should you wish to learn more. Sending text messages and typing are difficult, as are brushing my teeth and tying my shoes. I am not entirely sure what to do about this.
UPDATE: I purchased a pair of super-padded gloves. Hopefully this will help, otherwise I'm in trouble. Iris and Jon keep making fun of me but the gradual loss of all motor skills is starting to freak me out.
UPDATE: I purchased a pair of super-padded gloves. Hopefully this will help, otherwise I'm in trouble. Iris and Jon keep making fun of me but the gradual loss of all motor skills is starting to freak me out.
An unrelated, entertaining anecdote: At the frat house, Jon found a steak in the mini fridge of the room we stayed in. The former inhabitant had already moved out, so Jon put the steak in his dry bag, filled the bag with ice, and proceeded to bike 70 miles in 95 degree heat with the steak in tow. Bear in mind, this is the guy who several days ago mailed home his extra underwear in order to shed weight from his load. When we finally got to the campground, he took out the steak, built a fire, and grilled it. At this point, the steak was definitely beginning to turn, but he ate the entire thing, insisting that it was delicious.
Anyway, my internet time at the library is about up, and it is time to move on. Iris claims that we are staying in a hotel tonight with wireless internet, in order to "maintain her sanity."
UPDATE: We are, in fact, in a hotel. It feels amazing. We know it won't become a habit, but it was nice to veg out and watch tv for a while. We even swam in the pool.
This was a crappy post. I apologize. Jon and I are going to watch Office episodes and pass out while Iris fills out grad school applications.
UPDATE: We are, in fact, in a hotel. It feels amazing. We know it won't become a habit, but it was nice to veg out and watch tv for a while. We even swam in the pool.
This was a crappy post. I apologize. Jon and I are going to watch Office episodes and pass out while Iris fills out grad school applications.
2 comments:
paul says hi. also, the new pornographers and andrew bird are playing in august at the tla, so bike back here. also, your hands are fine, you probably just have blisters, stop whining.
Hey heathie! glad things are going well and i am pretty jealous! You are making me very nostalgic for my appalachians as you write your posts. Plus I stopped in wytheville for lunch any number of times (7) on the way to west virginian summer camp where i will one day be the head according to your and val's predictions. (i also might wear a nice pair of slacks on my dates).
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