The Friday 6/11 story, continued

So we left the scared old man's garage and continued on down the road...

...for about another 10 miles, when the thunder and lightning gathered
again. We pulled into the McDaniels Auto Repair and Salvage garage,
and, after being joined by Michael (riding "sweep" at the back of the
group (i.e., us)), we waited out another t-storm for about 45 MORE
minutes. (Hugh passed some of the time talking with the boss about
the salvage biz--how's it work? what's the most common thing people
come in looking for? etc.) At this point the whole morning is gone,
and we're only 30 miles into an 80-plus-mile ride on a hot and stormy
day. Gaack.

Anyway, the storm blew by, and there was nothing to do but get back on
the bikes and back on the road. Which we did. We set Fordsville, about
22 miles distant, as our stop-for-lunch target. We got there without
further incident, and I spotted a little shady roadside park with
tables and chairs -- perfect. Except for one thing. As we aproached it
became apparent that it was not a park, but a private home's front
yard. Hugh knocked on the door to ask if we could rest and eat our
lunch there. "Sure!" -- so we did. As we were setting up, the owner,
Tom Whittington, and his son, Jeff, came out and joined us to chat
while we ate. (See Hugh's photo of Michael and me with our hosts.)
Turns out Tom hosted some original Bike-centennial riders back in 1976
-- let them pitch tents in his yard. He told us about his family's
bluegrass band of some renown. And we even talked politics a little.
And so we passed a very pleasant hour or so. At one point in the
conversation I complained about the morning's flat tire and spoke
troubles, to which Jeff commented that if that hadn't happened he and
his father would never have had the pleasure of meeting us. And vice-
versa, to be sure, and absolutely correct. Just to put the icing on
the human connection cake, as we were leaving Jeff said that we, and
our safety and well-being, would be in his prayers.

Refreshed, and without further incident, we finally made it into
"camp" (the Utica KY Volunteer Fire Department) at about 4:00.
Showers, a/c, a kitchen, a roof -- life is good.

PS. Hit 1,000 miles today!