May 30, 2001.
Catawba to Draper, Virginia. (59 mi.) Mile 472
Free
camping again.
Today was very similar to the last, another pleasant day of cycling through
rural Virginia. Centuries old hand-hewn log
structures and vintage clapboard farmhouses, mixed in with new housing
developments, are scattered throughout the countryside. We are getting a little stronger on the hills.
We had a chance to witness Virginia's Department of Transportation money at work today:
Approximately 3 miles of bike lane so far on the Bikecentennial Trail.
Thanks VDOT!!
An experimental
bridge to nowhere: 2,000 ft. long, 175 ft high, 3 years in the building,
at a cost of 17.4 million. It's part of Virginia's Smart Road research
project. Today was Opening Day even though the bridge isn't really finished
yet and doesn't really go anywhere.
Our goal for the night was the reported full amenities campground in
Draper, but after a long day of hill climbing, we arrived to learn it was
closed. Instead, we discovered Bryson's General Store, a magnet for people and
activity in the community. When we got there, the activity was centering
around the Bryson's 7 month old
twin granddaughters, Sydney and Sally.
The Brysons represent another example of the best Virginian hospitality,
happy to let cyclists camp behind the store free and offer any other
assistance if necessary. Their prices on ice cream cones and other basics are
very reasonable. We aren't used to finding small markets stocking turnip and
mustard greens, cressy greens, kale greens, black-eyed peas, and so many
canned potted meat products (like pork brains in milk - Yum!), or providing
country/mountain music from a boom box on the porch. We were just glad to have
a place to camp, even if we didn't have the full amenities or a place to get
cleaned up with "a hot share".
Bryson's General
Store
