Relaxing camping

As it is Sal's birthday we decided to have our first official rest day and just take it easy, so after a late morning with Vegemite on fresh baguette (great to find some good bread) and fruit for breakfast, we decided to do a serious kit cull as we'll be hitting the Appalachians tomorrow. After much debate and sneaking things into the trash we had significantly lightened the load. Another package of things was also posted home and our cooking gear was taken to the salvation army store; it is bulky and heavy so  we can just eat cold things. (Its too hot anyway for a hot meal every evening!)

Even though its our rest day we still wanted to complete a few miles and get out of town so we headed for the Misty Mountain Camping Resort near Greenwood not far off our route. We rolled out of Charlottesville at about 1.30 and slowly made our way west. As we were nearing the base of the hills the country becomes increasingly more rolling and we really felt the benefit of lightening the load. The adventure cycle route is designed to take the tourer through the prettiest parts of the countryside, away from the busy highways and you can not complain (well we do about all the up and down but that's fair enough when you come from Norfolk.)

By bike you really do feel the country rolling beneath your wheels, the changes in the roads, the topography, the changing scents, the pockets of cool shade along with the stifling heat that radiates from the tarmack  like a blast furnace. You really do experience it in a different way compared with other modes of transportation. We also get the funny looks from old locals when standing in the que of the supermarket; the friendly waves from Mexican farm workers who pick peaches all day and the enthusiastic locals when you arrive at any destination.

We arrived at the campsite just before the heavens opened which is the very typical summer weather in these parts, hot all day building to a big yall thunder-storm that completely buckets down, more cows and goats than dogs and cats. It then shortly passes and you have  a cooler, clear evening to relax in. So we pitched the tent and hit the pool, man that ride was well worth it. This place feels just like the camp sites we stayed in on our summer holidays to Cornwall when growing up, ( the main difference being it rains for 15 minutes here not 2 weeks) so after soaking the grime and lactic acid away we grabbed some beers from the shop (need to carb load for the hills tomorrow) and had some classic games of horse shoe throwing, which is a childhood favorite of mine, still rubbish at it but its easier than 'bash the rat' followed by a new one to us both, 'corn hole'. Well we had a great laugh and some of the other local families came along to join in and chat about the holidays and muse over country games that local farm workers must have developed and we just held onto, such fun and just like being on a large campsite anywhere really.

We were invited for a classic American tradition of roasted marshmellows by a lady who was camping with her daughter and her daughters friend. She is a keen cyclist delighted to hear about our adventures. Marianne is planning to do the trip in the future with a couple of friends of hers when the kids have all grown up, just brilliant. It was lovely to chat about the adventures they have had whilst watching the glowing embers of the campfire and light show from the fireflies. A great end to a lovely relaxing day. Bring on the Appalachians, we'll see you after breakfast.