Despite having had a Saturday-Sunday Marriott invitation awaiting me in South Hill for the weekend, I otherwise had neither friends nor anyone else awaiting my arrival yesterday into Virginia. And not till Richmond, the state capital, about a hundred more miles north, do I even know anyone. That all changed quickly yesterday, however, as many locals stopped to say hello, introduce themselves, and offer me plates of super-kind unsolicited assistance.

Meeting Bill & Kim roadside

Among those who stopped me were Bill & Kim. A dozen miles into my day, I saw a couple pulled up in a driveway ahead of me, awaiting my approach.

“How’s it going, George!?” Bill asked me, asked me, as soon as I was close enough to hear. Though I’d seen the vehicle pass me earlier, they hadn’t stopped, so I had to ask their names. I had to laugh at them calling me by my name, as most who do check out my website after driving by still quite rarely address me by name at the moment (if) they stop to say hello. Bill & Kim are very personable, however– something I quickly grew to love about them.

Bill & Kim brought me a little snack pack for the road, invited me to dinner with them, and offered me their couch at home as well. Had the room at the Marriott not awaited me, I surely would have taken them up on all three. I took them up on the first two, however, and two hours later, shortly after I arrived to the Marriott on foot, they met me there and welcomed me to a local institution: Brian’s Steak House .
Being a vegetarian, I was delighted to find that Brian’s breakfast menu lasted all day. A veggie omelette it was .

Dinner last night with Bill, Kim & daughters

Bill & Kim invited me to their morning church service as well, a very casual, humor-filled, non-denominational-style Baptist church service that I enjoyed joining them for. The sermon spoke of how we may not forget being wronged by others, but we should always forgive– otherwise we burn ourselves from within over time. I so-so-so agree with this, and felt refreshed to hear it this morning.

I’ll either be walking or talking for most of tomorrow, and I’m still not sure which. The word of my arrival has been circulated to local schools, but as they’ve been on spring break, I have yet to receive any invitations. I’m also not guaranteed any place to stay within South Hill tomorrow either.

On the promising side, however, after the Sunday soreness of Saturday’s back-to-the-road 17, I have an invitation awaiting me in the next town up: Kenbridge, 21+ miles away. Bill Bradley, whom I met here 24 hours ago, owns a tire shop in Kenbridge, and has invited me to spend the night in the tire shop there. If need be, I’ll begin my Kenbridge miles at checkout time tomorrow.

Weather has been wonderful.
After a long delay, it appears that spring is finally arriving. I was even mildly sunburned yesterday, and will have to be more cautious in the face of the sun from here forward.

Life is Great and Getting Better,

George Throop

Church this morning with Bill & Kim