Saturday, August 12, 2000

We started the day by walking to the Natural Bridge. The day before we rode our bicycle over the bridge and did not even know that we were doing it. It is quite a sight to see. We were the first ones to look at the bridge in the morning. Until we left we did not see any other person looking at this sight. I saw it when I was 9 or 10 years old and I still remember what it looked like. Mary Kay was very upset that she had to pay to see something made by nature. In 1774, Thomas Jefferson was granted legal title to the 137 acres surrounding and including the natural bridge. The land is still under private ownership. To get to the Natural Bridge you walk down 137 steps. Because we were tired, we rode the shuttle bus back to the parking lot.

We then rode or bicycle from Natural Bridge, VA to Fairfield, VA, a distance of 18 miles. The route was like riding in Kentucky, up and down one hill after another. The good news is that although yesterday the bicycle did not shift gears very well. Last night I adjusted the front and rear derailleur and today the bicycle shifted much better. We only rode for such a short distance because our bodies are telling us that they need a rest. Tomorrow we are going up to ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 30 miles. I think that this will be the last very difficult day before we reach Yorktown, VA and can put the bicycle wheel into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.