Charlottesville, VA Continued

And by halftime in Charlottesville, VA, I meant overtime.

After leaving the library, my stomach told me it was time to grab a burger from Five Guys. Once acquired, I headed outside to the outside mall (or whatever they call it there) to both enjoy the meat and the sun. You see, downtown Charlottesville has this neat little strip loaded with stores, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and whathaveyous, all along the sides of a thick sidewalk (road-like, but no autos allowed... like I said, an outside mall). While people watching (a regular practice) I couldn't help but notice a familiar face. Wait, not one but two familiar faces! I called out and it was confirmed - Brad Stephens and Sarah Langford!

Brad and Sarah studied with me at Centre College in Danville, KY (where I'll be traveling through in about a week). Brad reminded me that had grown up in Charlottesville, so the two, along with Brad's parents, were out for a double date on Brad's birthday. Graciously, Brad's mother and father offered their place to stay for the night once I told them what I was doing, but expecting that I'd continue riding I thanked and turned them down. I had planned to put in another 30 or so, hopefully making it to Afton - "Home of the Cookie Lady," Brad's father informed me. After pointing me in the direction of a park, we said our goodbyes and I headed out for an afternoon nap.

Once awake, I still wasn't feeling a return to the bike. I decided I'd take another hour, stretching, drinking water, and resting before getting back on the road - justifying it by knocking it down to a 20 mile evening session instead. Walking back to the outside mall area, I passed the movie theatre. Glancing up to see what was showing, I caught sight of "The Hangover." Now, I had heard a lot about this movie beforehand - all praise of course (mostly from Sarah who saw it before it was released. Lucky!) - so I couldn't help but reason, "What's another hour?" I mean, one can still stretch, drink water, and rest while watching, right? Right.

Catching the 5:15 show and having to wait through the commercials and previews, the actual movie didn't begin until after 5:40... Ooops. After laughing my head off to what was a hilarious film (SPOILER ALERT: minus the male genitalia at the credits), I walked out at 7:15 with no motivation to get riding again - all I wanted to do was get crunk and have a crazy night as the movie suggested... But Brad and company were long gone by now, what was I to do? Thankfully, while in D.C. I made a Charlottesville contact.

While at Danielle's, I was introduced to Sallie who not only went to UNC with Danielle, but also serves as a school teacher in Charlottesville. I quickly called Danielle to get in contact with Sallie, who had offered to help me out when I came through anyway. Once in touch with her, I learned I had a place to stay, a shower to make use of, and also that she and two of her friends were catching a movie later that night - The Hangover.

Via experience, I can attest The Hangover is just as funny the second time (SPOILER ALERT: The male genitalia the second time still isn't funny). That's right, I saw it again. But in my defense, movies are always more fun to watch when you have others to laugh with - if anything to laugh at them laughing, not that I was, but I'm just sayin'.

The next morning, Sallie celebrated her first day of summer by lounging a bit, which kind of overflowed into my morning routine (I don't blame her, well earned; I do blame me). After sleeping in, drinking two cups of coffee, and enjoying good conversation, I was finally back on the bike headed toward the Blue Ridge Parkway around 10am as opposed to my 7:30am usual.

I got into Afton and followed the signs to the Cookie Lady, not knowing what to expect. Making the final turn to her house, I saw before me something quite peculiar...

To Be Continued...

(Notice the East bound directions at the top say "CAUTION: Steep downhill next 2 miles" while the West bound directions say nothing of the sort.  I'm thinking, not only do I have to go up what the east bounders go down, but I never get to come down from it... Not cool.)