Sebree, KY to Berea, KY

First, I want to say, feel free to post comments if you are interested. I read them to my dad when we talk, and think he likes hearing from you and knowing who is thinking of him. You might also have questions, and I can get answers and post them.

Anyway, my dad left Sebree, and made his way to Feltus Holler Farm in Caneyville, Kentucky, the place 10 miles off-route that he learned about from another cyclist earlier in the trip. The 74-mile ride was a pleasant trip, except the last 4 miles, where there were really steep hills. The last 1/2 mile was on gravel road, and my dad ended up taking a spill when the front wheel slipped out from under him while going downhill. He got some road rash on his elbow and gravel in his pockets. Dad was thankful he was wearing a helmet. He could have asks the host to pick his up, but it seemed like that was really for riders who were in distress and couldn't make the last 10 miles. The farm had a cabin where the hosts, who were also cyclist, lived prior to building the structure which is their current home. It was very comfortable and the people there were awesome. They asked my dad if he had any allergies and brought his delightful dinner with wine to the cabin since my dad is allergic to cats, which they had. They also served homemade after-dinner liquor made from lemons.

On Tuesday, September 14th, Dad rode 61 miles to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site. The first 38 miles were getting back on route. The host from Feltus Farm gave my dad directions to avoid the steep hills that he didn't like from the day before. At lunchtime, my dad was at an intersection when a guy who was painting lines on the road for a weekend bike ride came across the street to offer my dad a drink. Bill appreciated the friendliness. After lunch, a little dog almost got killed while it was trying to attack my dad. It came up barking on my dad's left, went back around to the right of the bike close to the shoulder, and then when it went back around to the left, it went out into the road and a car was coming from the other direction. The driver slammed on the brakes and the tires were smoking. My dad doesn't think the dog got hit. In Missoula, Montana, my dad remembers Australian cyclists who were crossing the country in the other direction, warning my dad about the Kentucky dogs. Apparently, they are world famous. My dad was chased by dogs every day this week and he is in the worst area right now, so hopefully, he won't have to deal with that much longer.

The fragrant aroma coming from this tobacco drying barn caused Dad to stop and take this picture in Kentucky.

On Wednesday, it was 62 miles to Lincoln Homestead State Park, Kentucky. Dad experienced rolling hills, discourteous drivers, and 2 dog attacks on this day. At the park, there was a pavilion where cyclists normally stay, but it was reserved, so they let my dad stay in a picnic area, but there weren't any showers. My dad had to take his second sponge bath of the trip, but he wasn't complaining because he had to take a lot of them on his first cross-country trip.

 The log cabin where Lincoln was born is protected inside this structure.

Another view of Lincoln's Birthplace.

My dad was awoken by thunder and lightning the next morning, the 16th. He ate his breakfast in his tent, piddled around until he got tired of waiting and doing nothing, so he packed up in the rain. By the time he finished packing, the rain stopped. The roads were wet for a long time because of the high humidity and there was a lot of traffic spray. He rode 27 miles to Harrisburg, Kentucky, checked into a motel, and began drying everything out. It was his first day back in touch with the Internet and he had things he wanted to take care of. One of those things was to send an email to Richard Schwinn to ask him if they used frame saver inside his bike when they made it. Frame saver prevents rusting. Rusty water comes out of the bike when it rains. The guy who gave my dad a free drink a couple days before had a bike shop and sold Waterford bikes. He said that my dad should find out if frame saver was used. Richard emailed back and said it wasn't, but not to worry because he can have it added when he gets home.

There was no riding on Friday because his brother, Jack, and sister-in-law, Joy, drove 3 hours from Columbus, Ohio, to visit my dad. Dad felt grateful and humbled because they exerted so much effort to come see him. They visited Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill because Jack likes Shaker furniture. It seemed like everyone enjoyed it. They also spent some time at Old Fort Harrod. My dad was really happy to see his brother and sister-in-law, and liked their visit.

Jack and Bill

Jack and Joy at Old Fort Harrod State Park, Harrodsburg, KT.

Bill trying out to be a blacksmith's apprentice.

After a day of play, my dad concluded his attitude towards hills is much better after some rest. He rode 53 miles to Berea, Kentucky. He was still complaining in his head with thoughts like, "Why am I doing this?" until he learned about the Spoonbread Festival. Then he remembered one of the reasons to do this trip is to discover things like this. Spoonbread is sweet, cornmeal bread. My dad savored it along with a foot long corndog, Amish cinnamon bread, and 32 oz. of lemonade. Afterwards, my dad was happy again. He checked into a Super 8 Motel, which is where he was when we spoke. He told me that American Cycling Association considers Berea to be the gateway to the Appalachian Mountains. It is also a college town, home to Berea College, whose mission is to provide educational opportunities to the people from Appalachia. They offer free tuition to all students and have a work assignment program. The college promotes the people of Appalachia to be proud of their heritage and do what they can to preserve it.

This is the Spoonbread Festival in Berea, KT. Spoonbread is a delicious form of cornbread.

Entertainment at the Spoonbread Festival.