Day 27 - Parkersburg, WV to Elkins, WV

What was originally planned as a 115 mile, 9,500 feet of climbing day turned into a 122 miles with around 7,500 feet of climbing. Whatever the distance, it was a great day. The weather was good, the roads were good, and the scenery seemed to improve with every bend in the road. It's hard to believe that we've only got three more days of riding. Some parts of my body aren't too happy: big toe on my right foot (falls asleep when I'm not on the bike), hands (ache most of the time), shoulder (hurts in the morning, but then gets better), butt (well... what do you expect after over 3,000 miles in 27 days?). In general though, I think I've held up fairly well physically and have weathered the variety of mental and emotional issues as I've encountered them. I am looking forward to sleeping in on the 10th, sipping coffee, reading the paper, and not having to swing a tired leg over the bike. I'm also looking forward to getting home to Mary, the kids, and the dogs after a brief visit to DC for some Space Grant business.

I snapped some pictures this morning from the second floor of the Red Roof Inn. We've all become well-trained Pac Tour riders. Bikes out, tires pumped, and everything checked before breakfast. Once breakfast is served and eaten, everyone returns to their rooms to gather his or her bag and make one last check before returning for the loading of the trailer. Last minute cue sheet changes are noted on "the board" and discussed if something is potentially confusing or if Lon wants to remind us about safety issues. For as tired as people are these days, the routine is important.









We rode on some very pretty rural roads today, including the interestingly named Meathouse Road. While the roads winding up and down the hills and through the hardwood forests were nice, there are constant reminders about the poverty in this part of the country. That's not to say that there aren't well kept homes and nice towns along the way, but there are plenty of abandoned businesses and residences along with old cars, trucks, appliances, etc. alongside the roads. I didn't take any pictures of dilapidated trailers or cars on blocks, choosing instead to concentrate on what's good about the area.

For lunch, we stopped in Weston, WV, home of the now defunct Trans-Appalachian Lunatic Asylum also known in more recent times as the Weston State Hospital. A sprawling 666 acres is home to the buildings that housed the state's mentally ill since the Civil War up until 1994, when the remaining patients were transferred to a new hospital. The place is apparently a favorite stop for tourists interested in ghosts and paranormal activity. We got a brief tour and fortunately no one in our group was retained by the authorities for further observation. In addition to the building itself, I also took pictures of some of the gargoyles created by the masons who did the original stone work on the hospital in the 1800s. The gargoyles were supposed to scare off the evil spirits.

The motels on the trip have generally been good, but some have been a little worn down. Tonight's is OK, but since we're in West Virginia and there are only so many non-smoking rooms, Tim and I are sleeping in a room that smells so bad I can't smell my shoes!! That's bad! I can't remember the last time I had a hotel room with not one, but two ashtrays.

After a long day on the bike, it's important to fuel up again. Most of us walked across the highway to Steers Steakhouse for the buffet. I decided to take some photos to end the post this evening. This was an awesome old school buffet. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, steak, macaroni and cheese, veggies and salads, and last, but certainly not least cobbler with soft serve ice cream.