(its pronounced kay-row, I gather)
Lots of hills getting out of Athens, no surprises. Had a nice little stopover at a little bridge somewhere in the woods in Washington county. It went over this creek.
Onward, a terribly steep gravel hill. Doot, doot, .... river .. Belpre... then West Virginia! Ate at the redwood restaurant in Belpre. All stares when I walk in. Literally. The whole room gawks. I'm sweat coated, in a low cut rainbow tanktop, nails painted, etc. But the staff was nice and the food good. Awesome banana pie. The "Queen Bee" sandwich on toasted buttery sourdough. Big fat fries (which I normally don't like, but are perfectly crispy). Lemonade.
Parkersburg.
Get to the rail trail.
Gravel. Exasperation & dissapointment.
I was expecting 72 miles of pavement, a la Hockhocking-Adena (Athens' bikepath).
It goes past homes and horse ranches. surprising. disappointing.
The website for the trails boasted of how many tunnels/bridges were on the path. I was very unimpressed.... until I got to the first tunnel. They failed to mention that they were unlit, and 1800 feet is a lot longer in reality than on paper. Also, the thing was surrounded by fog, which only got thicker as I made my way deeper into it. I couldn't see more than 20 feet ahead of me the entire way, even with my light. Fog that thick. Just about the creepiest place I've ever been. Imagine.... literally miles since I've seen evidence of human habitation, and have to cross through that perfectly dark (in the middle there was no light whatsoever at either end of the tunnel) foggy behemoth.
FROM THE OUTSIDE
THE VIEW INSIDE
I'd planned to stop in Cairo, at mile 24, where it doesn't show and i get a bit worried.
By the time I reach Cairo (mile 26 for real), I'm expecting food and bike shops and adventurer store. But its after 5pm..... everything is closed. I wander about the little town, make an attempt at opening the "community building" which is locked. I finally approach a group of 6 or so men standing in the midst of a side street, who as I had guessed and hoped to be, were volunteer firefighters. (remember my very unorthodox appearance) i ask if they know where I could get some water, they muse about how everything is already closed, but soon the eldest of the group, who for whatever reason i most directly posed my question (its kinda impossible to truly ask a question in general to a circle), takes me inside and lets the faucet run for a minute to get the old water out then lets me fill up. i overly thank him and am on my way again.
Just past Cairo, camp happened, right alongside the trail.
The whole way, I'd not seen a soul on the path, until after setting up camp... while I was wiping my ass just past the tree line.
Quinoa feast.
Lie down, decide its too hot and unflap rainfly from my tent, only to glimpse a shooting star moments after revealing the sky to myself.
Sleep.
The-Largest-Deepest-Loudest-Buzzing-Insect-I've-Ever-Heard.
Sleep for the night.
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