“Good Road” is a phrase that is tossed about lightly but means different things to different people. SR 7, the Ohio River Scenic Byway was nice down south where there was little traffic. The roads generally are much worse inside the limits of the small incorporated townships we have gone through. "Good Road" to us is flat and either has nice clean wide shoulders, or no traffic.
Today we cut across SR 149 into the mountains (hills) to get back on the route on our bike maps. The road has no shoulders and is very hilly, but has almost no traffic. People generally give us plenty of room when they pass (if they can). I have a rear view mirror, so I can see when big trucks are coming or when cars are coming in both directions. Between watching traffic and watching right in front of the front wheel for glass and 20 feet ahead for potholes and dead animals, and watching the map and counting miles, I am kept busy.
We rode 28 miles today to Barkcamp State Park Campground. We are very close to where my study site for my master’s thesis will be. We went to the general store in Belmont this afternoon and bought a tomato, some onions, and an ice cream bar. I spent 45 minutes in Kroger’s this morning reading labels on bread, yogurt, and found that same Dole Salad mix with dill and parsley in it. I have a Kroger Card now, so I get coupons with my receipt- custom tailored to my buying habits. They already have us pegged as health food nuts. They think we would be interested in saving money on low carb granola bars. I threw them for a loop this morning by buying Krispy Kremes and chocolate milk along with our plain yogurt and “health nut” bread.
Most of the state park campgrounds are set up primarily for RVs. Even our tent site has two 50 amp 220v outlets and a 20 amp 110v. Time to recharge the cellphone. We didn’t bring an air conditioner, microwave oven, or satellite TV.
Often when we stop, someone, (usually an older man) comes to chat about where we are from, where we are going, and offer advice on the best roads to take. Some people seem envious and others think we are crazy. Kids seem to like our bike.
People in the nicely kept small towns here still have front porches where they sit. Lots of people have small gardens: tomatoes, sunflowers, cucumbers, pole beans, sweet corn, onions, broccoli, and marigolds. Lots of people inter-plant marigolds with their broccoli. I’m really impressed (amazed?) by the huge lawns and the work people put into maintaining them. At least no one has to water anything.
There was a brief spell of heavy rain yesterday afternoon, but so far we have done very well at staying dry. I am sure our luck will run out soon enough on that one.
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