July 30

July 30, 2013

Last night, we all explored the campus of the University of Virginia on our own.  Jerry and Sue went to eat at the Virginian and Jerry got the Virginia Burger.  Jack ate at Christian Pizza, and I ate at Trinity Pub.  I hit Happy Hour and steins of Shock Top were $4.  I also watched a little Sportscenter and bought a USA Today to begin my orientation and adjustment back to normal life.  I am going to move slowly.  I also watched a little more Sportscenter back at the room.  Jack found a bookstore finally and bought the book “Stumbling Upon Happiness”.  It is a book that came highly recommended by a motorcycle guy back in Montana (?).  The.   campus is really something.  Very Jeffersonian. The Rotunda was very cool and I also walked to the football stadium and tried to talk my way in to see the field.  No go.  There is a spot from the North end where you can see just about everything through a fence.  Cool place.  Campus is landlocked a lot like UC.  Lot of history in Charlottesville.  I also got a frozen yogurt on my way back to hotel.  Red Roof Inn gets a D-.  No ice machines working except on 7 and 8^th floors. That’s ok but no signs on the broken machines.  No continental breakfast.  No fitness room.  And they charge you up front for a safe in your room. They refund the $1.50 when you check out.  Not impressed with Red Roof.  Could be my last visit to the Roof.  Put Charlottesville on your day trip list.  But don’t stay at the Red Roof.

We got off about 6:00-6:30.  The route went through town and past Monticello.  It was closed and could not get a look at it.  Jack had to return to town to have something done to his bike, so he got a late start.  Jerry and I had coffee in Palmyra.  We went through Cunningham but did not see Richie or Willie.  Kents Store, Tabscott, and then we had lunch at Mineral, pop 467.  Next town was, and I am not making this up, Bumpass.  We thought for sure there would be a souvenir stand in town selling t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc.  As Jerry commented, somebody is missing out on a huge marketing opportunity here.  I’m sure you get the picture.  Then it was onto Ashland, home of Randolph-Macon College.  Pop 7,225.  We are in an RV park.  It even has a fitness room.  Hear that Red Roof.  Has a pool and showers.  Right next to expressway.  Could be rough sleeping.  When I got into town, and this happens all the time, it seems that nobody knows where the campground is.  Or 3 out of 4 people you talk to “aren’t from here”.  Makes it difficult.

Rode about 100+ miles.  70 yesterday.  About 90 left for tomorrow into Yorktown.  Terrain had some hills in beginning, but flat thereafter for the most part.

Mailbox award goes to a mailbox painted like Old Glory.  Saw a couple deer and blue heron.  Jerry saw some pileated woodpeckers.  Think Woody Woodpecker.

Jerry has been leading a double life. Yesterday, Jack stopped by a produce place and bought a peach as I mentioned yesterday.  Apparently Jerry went to the same place, but instead of buying a peach, he just picked his own off a tree near the road.  And we all thought he was so honest.  Next time he visits, better watch him.  No cornfield is safe either.  He reminds me of OJ.

Into Yorktown tomorrow.  Hope the band is prepared.  Hope confetti has been cut.  And the champaign chilled.

 Hope you can handle one more blog.

Jeff, Jerry, Jack, andSue