We left lake Anna at roughly 9 o'clock. Our first stop was brunch at Charlottesville. Unbeknownst to me and to Josh's regular reminder that we were right next to UVA. The more I travel with Josh, the more he reminds me of what Phaedon would be in 20 years. rofl. Very similar personalities.
Riding the same bike is interesting, it feels so natural, I'm not worrying about anything...well other than my transmission blowing up on me again. Lol. But I was able to enjoy so much of the world on the blue ridge than I had before.
I can honestly tell you, I didn't understand the appeal before I started riding. I was happy living in my world, sheltered and protected by the confines of city life. My attempts to "go hiking" or "back packing" is nothing more than glorified temporary entertainment from imminent death by boredom. More often than not I am asked "so you guys just ride around?" , well yea... But it is so much more than that.
Riding frees you from what we call for a lack of better term, "total fucken bullshit", the petty power struggle, the rat race, the bleeding out of your pore insecurities, and above all away from the people who perpetuate such environment. I travel with some old people, min 10 years my senior and some 20. But on the road there isn't a difference in age, color, or wealth, it's just about the freedom. Everything is what ever, and you make a few landmark stop and you keep going. You go where you want, and never a sense of possibly offending your traveling companion.
As Rob put it "I love these trips, it allows me to bring back my inner 12 year old", to which I reply naturally, "uh.... I'm just being my self". If my students were here they would without a doubt in unison agree, I am possibly the most immature counselor ever, but I engage my students far beyond just being politically correct.
My gps mount died, in the morning since it rained overnight and I didn't wire the power to the base on key ignition, so it was always on, and it shorted out. We all mounted our go pro and got a lot of good shots, but no one brought a laptop so the photo will have to be posted later when we have access
Approx 350 miles today, ending in Boone, NC. 100% Blue Ridge Parkway.
We went to this restaurant in Boone... I was the only Asian person there. I was a little nervous. Call it paranoia or self preservation, it's weird when there is only white people and you. It's just weird. Lol