Kentucky has been one of the nicest states to bike through for a few reasons -
1. Much of the route has been rural back country roads, which have few cars, nice grades, and roll through absolutely gorgeous landscape.
2. Trees. This is the most (and only) shade and refuge from the scorching sun we've experienced so far.
3. Friendly cars. Almost all the cars we've encountered have been patient, courteous, and given us lots of space on the shoulder as they pass. The same can't be said about coal trucks. Honeybadger don't care. Those coal trucks blow like they are intentionally pretending they can't see you. I see you. And I know you see me. In the words of 'Ye they need to "pump the brakes and drive slow homie."
We were halfway up our first climb for the morning when we spotted a homemade sign above a mailbox. It was our first sign that we were approaching the ocean. For the first time, the end felt like it was in sight.
Lesson #82: Keep pushing.
As we were snapping a picture Keith came outside. He had made the sign. Keith and his wife Ronda were both former teachers. Keith had spend 22 years as a middle school teacher and had taught all subjects by the time he left the classroom. He spent his last 8 years as Principal. Ronda was a former special ed teacher and now served as one of the district's school psychologists. Keith had grown up across the street from where he currently lived and had moved into his current house in 1973. His three brothers lived within a few miles from him. Family is a beautiful thing. The first cross country bike ride that made cross country touring popular was in 1976. Keith and Ronda have seen it all in 27 years of hosting bikers. Their advice to us was to find the parts you enjoy of being in the classroom and focus on those. Figure out how to maximize these parts and minimize all the other distractions. Ronda looked at us endearingly and said "Stick it out." There seems to be a pattern here of the veteran and retired teachers we've met on the road: teaching is hard, the first few years and especially challenging, it does get better, you can do it. Shout out to encouraging and supportive people.
Keith.
We were soaked, totally and completely soaked. It was pleasant riding the rest of the day with the cool temp from the rain.
We were still soaked hours later when we pulled into Hazard. Shortly after getting into town we met Trevor. One of the few bikers we've met who is also going east.
Trevor was from Savanah, Georgia and took one month a year off to tour in his bicycle. He showed us the back of his leg where there was a large, 3 inch gash. He had been bit by a dog a couple weeks back. He had racked up $6500 in medial bills (no insurance) for rabies treatment from 3 sets of shots from three different hospitals from the one dog bite.
Trevor.
Trevor flipped old houses in Georgia, bought them when they were broken and foreclosed, fixed them up himself, and turned them into upscale rentals. He said he always worked hard to be generous and kind to his tenants and in return over the years he's built a sustainable business off of renting out his fixed up homes.
Trevor thanked us for being teachers and talked about influence of a few special teachers in his life. He attributed his happiness now to them. Good reminder to not make excuses and remember the impact that we can have in the classroom. Feels scary in some ways to admit this or accept that responsibility. Also makes me thankful for our jobs and thankful to get back home soon and start the school year.
Thank you Keith and Ronda for being so generous and supportive of all the bikers who go by your house. Thank you Trevor for re-focusing me on why I'm thankful to be a teacher.
When I read the line "Honey badger don't care", I somehow knew you had written this post, Seth.
ReplyDeleteSo excited that you're so close to the finish line! What an adventure!