July 4, 2014 - Marion, VA

Post date: Jul 4, 2014 9:39:48 PM

Today I’m in Troutdale VA, population 494. The guys should be here in about 20 minutes. Yesterday, I drove up to Princeton, West Virginia for my 5000 mile tire rotation at Barker’s Tire Pros. My last 5000 mile appointment was June 5! On the way, I went through 2 huge tunnels straight through the mountains. The first was so long you couldn’t see the end. I realized on the way back that I had had my sunglasses on the first time through, so that’s why it was so dark. There were green lights every so often in the tunnels, to alert you to any problems with traffic. I wouldn’t want to get stuck in one of those tunnels.

I got back down and started on the route at Rural Retreat, VA. I was going to check on the guys and go up a ways to park. About 5 miles down the road there was a group of bikers stopped. I saw 2 bikers, 1 was loaded down with gear and the other was pulling a burley cart. Then I saw I bit of Jon’s face and his bright yellow bike top, so I turned around and came back. Jon’s chain had broken and damaged his derailer. So we loaded up and drove an hour back to a bike shop they had stopped at in Draper. They have a Mercantile/Restaurant. So we had dessert- strawberry/blueberry cake, while Jon’s bike got fixed.

We camped at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA. Today was supposed to be a rest day, buy they are riding 3 hours to get to where they wanted to go yesterday.

The couple that stopped to help yesterday just pulled up and said hi. I drove past them, so I knew they’d be coming this way. We are staying another night in Marion, VA to experience the small town 4^th of July celebrations. Yesterday was our son, Mark’s birthday. Happy 22 Mark! I sent his card from Mechanicsville, VA. He happens to be an excellent auto mechanic. My car is running great so far, after he and my brother looked it over before our trip. If you are ever in Hillsboro, Oregon go to Royal Auto Service!

One glitch in the schedule today- I didn't expect the guys so soon, so when I got to Damascus, I filled up the gas tank and waited where I thought they would be, they got to town and waited in a different spot. Reconnected after 45 minutes. We were hoping we would have laundry facilities at our motel tonight, but no- luckily there was a Laundromat down the street, so Doug and I headed over to do some laundry. We are headed to downtown Marion for the evening.

Love Rock drop sites:

#15 - Christiansburg, VA

#16 - KOA campsite - Max Meadows, VA

#17 - Princeton, West Virginia - Barker's Tire Pros

#18 - Laundromat - Marion, VA