I Made It!

As I was writing my blog last night from inside my tent, I watched the explosions of lightning in the distance. The storm was due to hit me later that night but I wanted it over me now. Well, when I was awakened by the seemingly heat-guided missiles of water upon my shelter, I was wishing a different story. The idealized pitter-patter of soft rain upon my tent that I dreamed of falling asleep to was replaced by an air assault of loud thudding booms that reverberated through my ear and into the center of my brain. It was 4 in the morning. At least the tent didn't leak.

Around 9, I opened my weary eyes to the sound of a truck pulling up. I was a bit on edge with all of my materials strewn about the picnic area. Leaving my bombarded shelter, I received a very friendly, "Good mornin!" from another park handyman by the name of Larry.

Larry and I talked for a solid hour this morning. He said he always enjoys talking to the cyclists; they're interesting people. Larry came from a family with 11 siblings, has 5 kids, and a ton of grandchildren who all seemingly went to the University of Kentucky. Larry served in the Army as a morse code specialist in Frankfurt, Germany in 1956 just after the Korean War. He said Germany was still pretty bombed out. From being stationed in Germany, he was also able to visit Paris and the Netherlands. After finishing our conversation, he wished me luck on my journey and not long after, I got onto the road.

The dreary and gloomy overcast lifted as soon as I got onto the road and it looked to be an absolutely perfect day. As I was about a quarter of the way from the city of Bardstown, I nearly fell off my bike when a voice said hello from directly behind me. A man by the name of Randy Allender would bike with me for the next 10 or 15 miles to the town of Bardstown, known as "America's Most Beautiful Small Town". Randy led me down a back path that avoided the extremely busy Route 62. We talked about his family, college, the coal industry, the history of Bardstown, the Eastern Kentucky drug epidemic, and about life in general. Randy was preparing to retire from his work with Jim Beam after 25 years of labor. Life appeared to be looking bright for Randy. It truly was delightful riding with him. We parted ways shortly before Bardstown and he recommended the Old Talbert Tavern for a cold beer and historical landmark.

It took me almost three hours to leave Bardstown, getting lost several times. I went to the Talbert Tavern where I was disappointed by the price and service but it was interesting anyhow. With rain coming down, I visited the Heaven Hill Bourbon Distillery and attempted but failed to find the American Civil War Museum. Bardstown is actually known as the bourbon capital of the world and is the second established city of Kentucky (1780). 

So by the time I got on the right path out of Bardstown, it was 4 o'clock and I still had a solid 35-50 miles to traverse. I got to pedaling with damp spirits, literally, as it rained again as I left the town. But yet again, when the clouds lifted, any thoughts of the amount of miles or hours to my goal of Hodgenville had evaporated with the rain. I was able to firmly grasp the present beauty all around me. 20 or so miles flew by and I was in the small town of Howardstown; an absolute visual masterpiece tucked away by itself with acres upon acres of abundantly fertile soil. I distinctly remember coming out of a heavily forested area that had a downhill that gently sloped downward a mile up until it evened out into a perfectly straight road. As I exited the forest, I became surrounded 360 degrees by an epic landscape of farmland; I literally felt like I was entering heaven's gates. I whooped and hollered as I came down.

Anyhow, in Howardstown, I stopped at the local gas station to refill my water and eat a cliff bar before the next 20 miles. A local resident named Kevin with his dog, Lady asked me where I was headed. An easy conversation starter, we talked to one another for a good 15 minutes. He told me of a shortcut to Hodgenville that was only 10 miles away. I was very happily surprised. I got to pedaling.

Only about 3 miles outside of the city, the heaviest rain I've seen yet caught me in the middle of nowhere. I huddled underneath the closest cover; a skimpy tree and proceeded to get drenched to the bone. It rained for five minutes with the sun still shining. It was not fair.

Eventually making it into the town of Hodgenville, I met three very kind and hospitable individuals: Tony Stewart, Bobby Powell, and Gordon. Tony met me outside an IGA and upon learning I was searching for duct tape, promptly drove to his house to get it, then let me keep it. Oh yeah, he also drove ahead pf me to the pavilion at the local park to ensure I went to the right place. A resident of Hodgenville for 48 years, he was two years away from retirement at a rubber plant before it shut down. Now, he's started all over again. Bobby Powell came up to Tony and I while we were kicking it in front of IGA. He's been working at an ink distributer down the road for almost 28 years and needs 4 more for retirement. It seems like the struggle never ends.

My man Gordon was intrigued by my bike and scraggly appearance outside McDonalds. We chatted for a long time and got to know each other. As many people seem to be, he was sympathetic to my journey... and ass. Seriously, it's a lot of sitting... and my bike seat is beginning to look more like a medieval torture machine then a place to set your tush. 

So I'm at the Larue County Park in Hodgenville, KY. There are two girls here who made it much earlier in the day. The one girl, Bethany is really cool. We talked all about our adventures. Her and her girlfriend were coming from Bardstown today. They were in Danville the day before where they enjoyed a music festival. They're doing the smart traveling and taking in the sites and sounds. 

So, My tent pole broke and the duct tape didn't work so I gave up on the tent for tonight. I'm on my yoga mat with my sleeping bag laying on top of a picnic table. Will this be Ralph's worst sleep yet? Or will he sleep soundly? Tune in tomorrow to find out.

I am dead for the evening.

Checking the rain at 335 AM. Too loud to sleep. Fortunately, I also had friends awake at that time; the only other Ralph I know.

Randy Allenger! The man! Had such a quality time biking with him this morning/afternoon.

I believe, that this is where the distilleries keep their corn, barley, and rye. Ironically, I originally thought it was a prison... 

Old Talbert Tavern, about as old as Bardstown. Andrew Jackson, Jesse James, Abraham Lincoln, and Daniel Boone have been here.

Heaven Hill Bourbon Center. Despite what you might think, I did not drink here.   It was unfortunate. ;)

A cool, little pond around New Hope, KY.

One of the incredible farm fields outside of Howardstown. This is all wheat.

Sunset in Hodgenville as I chatted with Gordon.