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The TransAmerica Trail – Kentucky
Hodgenville, KY – Rough River Dam State Park
70 miles
June 20, 2006
Last night at around two in the morning, I woke up and saw some lightning on the horizon. At three o’clock I woke again, and it seemed closer, so I broke down my tent, moved into the dugout, and proceeded to have my face eaten by mosquitoes.
Rose at six this morning, realized it hadn’t rained, and wished I’d stayed in my tent. Packed up and was on the road nice and early. Put some miles in before it got too warm, and the morning was great along some beautiful, flat farmland with mist blanketing everything. Soon the sun climbed high above a cloud and burned it all off.
Then it got really hot, so throughout the afternoon I essentially went from gas station to gas station, hydrating during long breaks, and taking advantage of the shade. One store had a register book for cyclists, which was nice because I got to see who’s ahead of me. Looks like two people signed in yesterday.
Later in the afternoon I was daydreaming and missed a turn, totalling about nine extra miles out of the way. A thunderstorm rolled in when I got back on route. The storm was slow moving without much wind, but I could see plenty of lightning and hear thunder toward the horizon. I was close to my destination for the night, and it looked like it would probably pass me by anyway, so I didn’t seek shelter and kept riding. It rained hard for not even five minutes and stopped. While the rain was coming down, a kid in a van pulled up next to me and asked if I wanted a ride. No thanks, but it’s good to know people are kind to offer to help out.
Tonight I’m in the campground at Rough River Dam State Park, and it’s quiet with only a few RV’s. I had a great-feeling shower after today’s sweat bath, and now I’m sitting alone at a picnic table typing this – watching fireflies and listening to the oldies station on the radio. Was rockin’ out to ELO and Mrs. Robinson a few moments ago.
Today I crossed into the Central Time Zone, and gained an hour! Believe it or not, it’s the first time in my entire life I’ve ever ventured out of Eastern Time. Ooh now they’re playing The Hollies – Bus Stop. “Sometimes she’d shop, and she would show me what she boouugght.” Life is good.
I rode through some Amish country this morning.
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