Lynchburg, Va.

This afternoon I am in Lynchburg, Virginia. I am currently sitting in a Panera enjoying a (relatively) healthy lunch and using the wi-fi for a bit. The drive has been spectacular today. I’m taking mostly back roads; the leaves are just starting to change in these parts and the sun is shining brightly. It’s around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

I spent last night in Winchester with our friend Thom (see ‘Thoughts Made Bald’ in the blogroll). Thom and I have chatted for a number of years online and Earl and I  have met him in person before. We both enjoy cycling and more importantly, Thom holds the distinction of being the first reader of my blog to ever reveal himself to me, way back in 2001.

Thom has been feeling a little bit under the weather for the past couple of days so we didn’t go for as long of a bike ride as originally planned, but yesterday afternoon we took a respectable jaunt around the area. He has warned me over the years that he’s not a fast rider and was worried that I would be bored. The bike ride worked me out a little more than anticipated because if anything, he is not a slow rider by any means. Our ride went at a pretty good pace. It was good to ride with someone else.

After the ride we relaxed a bit and grabbed some dinner. It was a good night and he was an excellent host. Earl and I look forward to returning the favour the next time he’s passing through our area (he makes a yearly jaunt to Quebec every summer).

This morning I was up and about and on the road, opting to head through Central Virginia. Right now I’m on the route I believe we took back in 1976 when my family was down here bringing my aunt back home to Blackstone, Va.  ‘Tis true; I have roots in these parts (I told my friend Shirley that some of my kin lived here) and I’m enjoying the exploration off the beaten path.