Daily Miles: About 6 getting to my weekend accommodations
I woke up in a clouded mist. Droplets of water from the wet trees above me dripped on the tent making it sound like rain. I laid in my warm sleeping bag for awhile just listening to the sporadic drops. I laid there for awhile just thinking about nothing and listening to the birds chirping and the dogs across the river barking.
I made my oatmeal and ate it slowly, and then packed up everything into thier respective panniers. In one bag goes the sleeping bag and down jacket, first into a seperate waterproof liner, and then the pump and bike maintenance bag on top of that. In the other bag is the stove and food and the clothes bag, along with my flip flops and some degreaser and maps. The panniers snap into the rear rack on both sides and the tent goes on top of the rack, sinched down with two bungee cords.
The tent was a sopping mess as I dismantled and then stuffed it into its sack. I was all packed up by nine and headed to the office. They had a common room there so I figured I’d sit there for a little while to pass the time. It was cold and raining now and being warm inside was a lot better sitting out in the cold outside. When I walked into the common room a man was sitting building a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle. His name was Ron and he worked at the office. Carol was his wife who was the nice lady who checked me in yesterday.
“Which way you headed?” He asked.
“West,” I said.
“Soggy day for a ride. Be careful out there.”
“I’m just going to head to Kerrville today. I’ve rented a room for a few days at a Motel.” I looked out the window. “Not a safe riding day, anyway.”
His wife Carol walked in and smiled. “Ah, our Italian cyclist,” she said. “Did you have a good night last night?”
“Yeah, it was good, thanks. A little wet this morning but that’s okay.”
She smiled again and said, “There’s coffe on in the main office. Help yourself.”
I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat with Ron for a little while. He liked to talk and told me about his life. Him and his wife lived and worked at the RV park and campground from October to April and worked as master gardeners at the University of Tennessee the remainder of the year. They have traveled all over the United States in thier RV and been pretty much everywhere. Ron had cancer three years ago but it’s in remission, and they recently bought a home in Tennessee to have a permanent residence. It’s in 4 acres and it’s real nice, with woods and hills and a nice garden; plenty of space to relax and enjoy retirement.
He was a nice guy and just kept talking. I like these conversations. I can just sit and listen and say a few things to keep the conversation going, without really contributing too much. People like Ron like to talk and people like me like to listen so it’s a pleasent symbiotic relationship.
I had a few cups of coffee and sat watching the clouds outside eating everything. The conditions never improved and I left around 11 to head somewhere else. I said goodbye to Ron and Carol and was on my way.
I rode to downtown Kerrville pretty slowly. It was only six miles away. I saw a nice library and went inside. I had a few more hours to kill before I could check in to the motel so I sat at the library. I didn’t read anything or go on the computer. I mostly just sat and watched everybody else. People comming in and checking out novels and self help books and DVDs; people watching YouTube and checking e-mail on the computers; people reading magazines and newspapers. All different kinds of people using thier city’s nice public space in the pursuit of knowledge and recreation and pleasure.
I eventually made my way to the motel and checked in. It felt good to have my own personal space and be inside, away from the cold and damp outside world. This will be my home base for the next two days. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I’ll probably just watch TV and eat a lot waiting for the Super Bowl tommorrow. I should do laundry but I honestly might skip it. My clothes aren’t that dirty yet and I don’t feel like washing them.
Don’t judge me…
