Back to Marlinton

Today started out as a true WV adventure. Reluctant to backtrack to the beginning of the trail, thus adding miles, Bob checked the map and found a route that took us overland to a spot on the trail at about milepost 11. It involved some back-country roads that were fortunately devoid of traffic. The houses and settings were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The road itself was another matter. It was paved, mostly, but the paved part narrowed several times until it was really barely one lane. I have no idea what drivers do when they meet each other, or when their vehicles are large. I also have no idea what these people do all winter! We knew that the overland route would mean some hill-climbing, but reasoned that we were headed from a town high on a hill to the river, so it would be mostly downhill. That turned out to be an understatement. I said prayers of thanks that we wren't traveling in the opposite direction as we plunged down what seemed like walls toward the trail. Bob's hands ached from using the brakes and we were very happy that we had just replaced the 10-inch disk on our rear brake just last week. All things considered, though, it was a smooth trip to the trail and we were happily pedalling along soon enough. Today the trail was a little busier than yesterday, both with people nd wildlife. We saw a few cyclists as we headed north, and things picked up the farther north we came. We ran into the Tennessee group again, in their neon green shirts, as we took a peanut butter break at the same campsite we'd stopped at yesterday. Wee got caught up on their news and headed out. Just as we passed some oncoming cyclists, three deer crossed the trail so close that we had to brake to avoid hitting them. It felt like being on the highway in a car. Then, during a stop to photograph some windflowers, we scared a large and very fast snake off some rocks he was using to sun himself. Some birds of prey called back and forth in the woods above us, and a couple of groundhogs munched on the side of the trail. Our second food stop was a place on the trail about 10 miles from here, Jack Horner's Corner. It was a combination pizza place, grocery store and souvenir shop that also rented tubes and kayaks for the river. It's the only game for many miles, and the service reflected that, but they had really good birch beer to go with our sandwiches, and it was a much needed break. So we Are now ensconced once again in the comfort of the Old Clark Inn, ready for dinner and a quiet evening, before we ride the 25 miles back to the car tomorrow. Don't know what the day will bring, but I think there could be Venezuelan food in our future!