Day #65 October 14, 2007

Day #65
Sunday October 14, 2007
Whaleyville, MD to Williamsburg, VA
212 miles today (26,881 - 27,093)
12,526 miles total
34 states total (+ Wash. DC & Canada)

It is nearly 7AM on a clear and crisp Maryland morning. I am looking east, sitting at the picnic table and sipping on my second cup of coffee. The eastern sunrise is only moments away. My plans today include crossing the Chesapeake Bay via 2 ferrys. This will knock 100+ miles, or more, and several hours off my time. I am headed back to the Shenandoah Valley where I started yesterday. My preference is mountains over coastline, and I will ride the Sky Line Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway all the way into Gatlinburg, TN. It will energize me for al the coastal miles around Florida, including the Keys, and along the Gulf Coast.

I followed US 13 down almost to the MD/VA state line when I came upon an accident. Eventually, a life flight chopper would take someone out, and 6 ambulances were eventually on the scene. I pulled off the shoulder and waited it out for nearly 45 minutes. The ride down US 13 was all 4 lane, mostly at 60-65 mph, except where it crossed through the little towns. Then there were stop lights. I discovered the ferry was NOT an auto ferry, but for passengers only. So I continued south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel where I paid the $16.00 toll to cross. That was so neat! Riding the bridge portion makes me think this is what Key West will be like. The road just eventually “dives” down into the tunnel portion which goes under the water. So cool! I had no trouble navigating to Hampton and on up I-64. The road was busy though, I thought, for a Sunday afternoon. As I approached Williamsburg, I was really feeling out of sorts, maybe from not being hydrated properly. Riding alone, for so long now, I’m getting a better sense of my body and the effects on proper food and water. Since the weather is so much cooler now, I suspect I’m just not drinking enough.

At the Williamsburg KOA, I met a couple from Florida, Paul and Joyce, who were driving a new and beautiful Country Coach bus style RV. It came from Junction City, OR, and I have done lots of things for Country Coach through the years. We talked quite a bit, as he was intrigued by my little pop up camper, especially since it was being pulled by a motorcycle.

I talked to two good friends tonight, Nick in Eugene and Daryl in Batesville, IN.
I’m looking forward now to getting away from the ocean and into the mountains.