Blog of the day in progress…
Starting the day’s dozen miles at Bill Bradley’s Kenbridge Tire
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As I stop for a brief banana & water break just north of Kenbridge, I see the first lizard of 2013…
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If any these boxes could talk, I’m confident that each would have some amazing stories to tell…
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The dogwoods are flaunting their spring colors across Virginia.
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Favorite street name of the day…
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Approaching the very historic Mt. Gazerine Baptist Church.
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They’re out.
An “uh-oh” wave reverberated through my body as I noticed this tiny roadside rattlesnake amid today’s dozen miles. Even though most of my 4,400+ miles have been through rattlesnake territory, I’ve had very few sightings of rattlesnakes across these miles, and only one close call. I simply have to keep this wider truth in mind now as they emerge from hibernation, rattlesnakes of all ages.
I saw two babies on the side the road today. I don’t know if either was alive. Babies can be more dangerous than adults, as they may be more prone to bite defensively, and, unlike adult rattlers, which regulate their venom, baby rattlers may deliver a full load of venom with their bites.
As most states have little if any paved shoulder on the sides of highways, Virginia being one of these states, I’m going to have to remain on high alert now as I continue across the miles ahead. The scary thing is that small rattlers blend in so well with their surroundings. Luckily, however, momentum is on my side: I’ve made it this far without being bit, and will likely finish the Walk puncture-free as well…
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Luckily, I made it through today’s dozen miles before today’s window-rattling spring thunderstorms fully formed and drenched Virginia for hours…
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…these sweet spring flowers point me in the direction in which I need to proceed…
It’s been raining pollen here. You’ll find the yellow dust everywhere. Not being the only one who felt the effect of the pollen, I picked up some locally-made honey in Kenbridge. As has been the case previously, locally-made honey has wiped away almost all allergies…
Blackstone resident Connie stops me on my way by her house. She invites me in for a meal, but as I was about to join the Bradshaws, I simply accepted her water offer, with the possibility of sharing a meal and more conversation before leaving Blackstone. Cool person!
Approaching the Bradshaw residence from the back side, I couldn’t resist snapping this pic, leading into their garden…
Home of Leroy & Silvia Bradshaw, Blackstone, Virginia
I arrived to this home of Blackstone hosts Leroy & Silvia Bradshaw, before the biggest thunderstorm of the year rained aquatic terror across the Commonwealth of Virginia early this evening.