After a wonderful visit with my cousin, Mike, and his wife Kathy, it is time to finish this journey, and it will not be easy.
My time in Charlottesville has been relaxing and informative. Yesterday we went to Montpelier, home of our fifth president, James Madison. I could not recall much about President Madison, but he is credited with being the architect of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The tour of his home was both interesting and educational.
The plan this morning was for Mike to take me east of Richmond, and drop me off there. It was quite a way from Charlottsville, taking over an hour and a half to get to the prescribed starting point. We talked for a while to the new owner of store, and I finally left around 10:15 AM.
The entire ride to Jamestown was on this beautiful bicycle trail, called the Capitol Trail. The closer we get to the ocean, the more the terrain flattens out, and it was a very comfortable, non-stressful ride.
My room for the night was in Williamsburg, an 8-10 mile trip from the route I was on. I asked a bicycler for the best way into town, and he gave great directions onto a road called the Colonial Parkway. The total number of cars that passed me during my 8 miles on the Parkway, probably would have been exceeded in the first half mile on any other street.
When I pulled off the Parkway, I found myself in Colonial Williamsburg, much to my surprise. The main street for Colonial Williamsburg was one block over, but I could still see people, in colonial dress, giving tours and talking with the tourists. Before long, I pulled up to my motel. At check in, my registration did not show up. They had me down for last night. Fortunately, there were plenty of rooms available. Thank you Lord.
Tonight I am having dinner with Jack Ingorsol's daughter, Katheryn Osmunson. Jack is Karen's cousin with whom I stayed in Bloomington, Minnesota. We will walk through Colonial Williamsburg, and eat in a tavern there. All employees are in period dress, and musicians go room to room entertaining the guests.
I was a little surprised that my shirt and shorts were so soaked with sweat. Then I turned on the weather report, and the heat index was 105 today here in Williamsburg.
Tomorrow it will be a be a bit warmer, and more so every day thereafter. However, Williamsburg is typically warmer than other communities. Katheryn asked if she could support me in a car by carrying my panniers, and following me to Suffolk, my stop for the night. I quickly agreed. The lack of a load should result in faster speeds. It was a very generous offer.
I am behind in doing my homiletics. This involves breaking down scripture so that truths jump out, that one might miss if just reading but not studying. So tonight, homiletics is on the agenda.
Blessings to you all.
