Daily Page 12

Hi Everyone--This has been a really long day--it's almost midnight so excuse my mistakes. It was a good day but every one is an experience. Before we even got out of the parking lot, Tony had a flat so that took a while to fix. We hit the freeway all ready to go as an Arkansas Trooper said yesterday we could ride on a certain road that had a shoulder. We had started pedaling down it and a Kentucky Policeman stopped us and told us we had to get off.

However, he was so nice and helpful and mapped us out an alternate route. He even called ahead to others patrolling and said to "leave us alone" as he had taken care of us. What nice hospitality from the state of Kentucky. Officer Miller even told us about his home town, Hartford, and said their by-line is 2,000 happy people and a few soreheads! When we pedaled through it, we stopped at their paper for an interview. Actually was the 2nd paper interview for the day.

The trooper also advised us about Jerusalem Ridge which is the home of Bill Monroe who was the father of Blue Grass. He said the area is so rough even the cops will not answer calls there unless they are in a group. He told us to get in the van as we went through that area and not pedal it. It looks like country--farming community but the few buildings there are really run down.

As we entered Litchfield, Tony needed a bike shop so went to Emery Cycle. We had met the owner, Rick, earlier in the day.

Starting today, we altered our path across Kentucky and hope to stay north and avoid some of the mountains. I know we will still have plenty as we cross to the east coast.

TODAY WAS A GIGANTIC MILESTONE AS WE ARE OVER HALF WAY TO ATLANTIC CITY. We have pedaled 712.5 miles!

Seems like a dream and it consumes the entire day but it is exciting! I am so tired--Bye for now. Love, Patricia