Day 39 of riding

When first peering out the window this morning at the Comfort Suites in Morristown, Tennessee, the sky looked overcast.  After packing up, eating breakfast and getting on the road, the sun was higher than the low bank of clouds so we were back in the sunshine by 7:20 am!  We drove back to the spot we left off, the parking lot of "Mold Tex" just beyond Bean Station, TN.  The temperature was 80 degrees and humid.  As Russ was getting his bike ready for the day, a pickup pulled up behind us.  Luke was on the way to work, saw the trailer and cross and was curious about what was going on.  We chatted a bit, then prayed together before we started our travels.  After the rough start yesterday morning, God blessed us with encouragement through Luke!  He gave us 2 CD's to listen to, one with music, one with preaching - a message called "Something's Missing" with the scripture from Luke about the woman who lost one of her coins.  The preacher spoke about how we are so comfortable in our lives that we don't even realize we are missing the power of God through the Holy Spirit.  At the end of the message, a young lady sang a song with part of the lyrics saying: "Nail it to the cross, nail it to the tree, walk away free".  So very true!  Thank you, Luke for being such a blessing to us!
This beautiful cross wasn't encountered until the end of the day, but it's an appropriate picture to include here. It is HUGE!!!

Mountains were in the distance as we began the journey on US Highway 25 North,

the road had a wide shoulder and bike lane.

 After turning East on US 11W, the scenery continued to be amazing!

As we traveled along, we saw a couple of barns with beautiful with painted quilt blocks again. 

After 40 miles and two and a half hours, we took a break in Church Hill.

Penny and granddaughter, Cloe, stopped to see us.  Penny saw the cross on the road and it moved her so to take Cloe to see it.  Meeting them was a blessing for us!  We chatted a bit and took some pictures.  Another answer to prayer...every morning we pray that the cross would give people hope and encouragement.

As we traveled along, we came to Mount Carmel, TN.

Some of the fields were beautiful vineyards today.

 Some cattle enjoying the shade of the barn on a grassy slope.

Many places along the roadside are overrun by a vine like plant, today there were places where the vines came up on the road!

 Coming into Bristol, Tennessee, we've enjoyed a great 4 lane road with wide shoulders all day!

 A GIANT guitar in Bristol.

Russ pedalled his way through Bristol, Tennessee...the sign welcomes us into Bristol, Virginia!

Russ stopped a few miles into Virginia just before 1:30 EST,

we drove back to our Travelodge motel in Tennessee.

After checking into the motel, we went to Walmart, then to Golden Corral for our meal for the day.  On our way out of the restaurant, we couldn't resist the photo op of this license plate!

 We also saw the Statue of Liberty!  Did we take a wrong turn?

Church signs we spotted today:

 I LOVE the name of this church!  "HERE'S HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH"

 

Some crosses we saw along the way.

Another song we listened to today had the words:

"My God has been good, so good, I have been blessed!"

We felt that today as we traveled safely, met wonderful people and the cross brought tears to people's eyes.  That is what it's all about, the cross.  As we begin our trek through Virginia, our final state, we feel anticipation as we near the end of our journey.  We appreciate your prayers which encourage and uplift us.  Thank you for your support!

Until tomorrow,

Russ & Carol