The Pinnacle

     Introduction:
     I'm back on my bike! I'm at the Public Library of Booneville, KY, on my way to Cincinnati. Trying to take it easy for the arm, but ended up climbing two mountains. One being out of my way and not required to climb—I just wanted to. I haven't done that before. Booneville was out of my way too, but I wanted to come here. Come to think of it, North is out of my way, but that's the direction I'm going.
     I'm focusing on my writing now, in addition to riding. If I'm not too tried, I write before I sleep, and try to when I wake as well. I might do a little reading too. While I'm riding, I think about what I'm going to write, sometimes. If I keep this up, I hope I'll be prepared for my upcoming writing endeavors. That's why I'm heading North!
     Every night I wonder how far I'll get. Every day I go a little further.

This is the night of the first day back on Lionheart.
I was going to take it easy, but ended up climbing a mountain instead.

But it was worth it (always is). I met a professional photographer up there who took this photo!
We talked about the area and the universe and stuff.

Here is his website! Check it out!
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/jarrod-money.html

     Music:
     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt0V0_1MS0Q


     Food Review:

 On the top of Clinch Mountain in North-Western Tennessee sits this little gem.

 When I heard they were famous for pie, I knew I had to go.

 This review brought to you by Jess and Laesa!
Two kinds women on their way to Florida that treated me to my breakfast here.
Thanks again you two!

 These broccoli bites with cheese were delicious.

 Veggie omelet with biscuits and gravy.
It's fun to eat gravy because you can put it on everything.
Though nothing beats dipping the biscuits in.

 The omelet was packed! And delicious!

 And of course I got the vinegar pie!
It was a very unique taste, sweet and tangy with only a hint of vinegar really.

 Totally worth climbing a mountain for.

 Lots of travelers stop to eat here it seems.
A wise decision.

Final Verdict: Great service, great food, great prices, great view.

When I return to Tennessee one day, I'll eat here again for sure!

     Reflection:
     Life is a lot like riding a bike. There are uphills and downhills.
     The uphills are hard, and you need to push yourself, your body, your mind, whatever, in order to make it. You can give up at any time, but then you won't get anywhere. You'll just be stuck on the hill. Whenever I get stuck, I think "What are the reasons I'm not doing this?" and I figure out what they all are. Then I convince myself to go, whether it's with reasoning or a reward or by berating myself. When you're on your own you need to be your own coach. And cheerleader squad. And referee.
     The downhills are the best part, of course. You get to rest, feel the breeze; it's fun and relaxing. You still have to watch out for getting run over or running over a nail or a caterpillar though, so you can't totally let your guard down, especially if you're going super fast. The downside to the downhill is that you don't want to stop. You could pass by some nice looking Dairy-Bar, for example, and even though you could go for an ice cream, the wind just feels too good. No one likes to hit the brakes when they're having a good time.
     Assuming you will be back where you started the bike ride, every bit of incline you climb there is an equal amount of descent. The more you climb, the greater your reward. When you climb a little hill, you get a little rest afterward. When you climb a mountain, you get an exciting and epic ride back down.
     The most important think to be sure of though is that you are going the right direction. When you're riding the right way and you know it, it's easy! Even if you're lost, if you know you have to go North, for example, and the road is leading you North, then it doesn't matter! You'll get found eventually, so you can keep moving without even thinking about that. When you don't which direction you should be going in though, or when you don't know which road will lead you where, it's hard to even start moving. You could be going backwards, and that's the worst feeling.
     Life is usually a lot more complicated than riding a bike. Right now though, mine is not. For now, my life is riding my bicycle. Even if my emotions are confusing, or I can't figure something out, or find the answer I'm looking for, as long as I'm going in the right direction, I don't have any worries. I hope everyone can experience this simplicity and clarity in their lives, at least for a time.


     Story:
     Okay, I didn't finish the story yet, but that's because I'm writing a lot more than I thought I would!
     However, I don't have the time to type it in because the library is closing.
     On day I will have a little chrome book and library hours and policies will no longer be an issue.
     Alas, today is not that day, so here is all you get:

     The Earth Spirit held a drum and small mallet in her hands. The drum was ornate with feathers and a painting of a horse and some other things he could not recognize. She took a breathe to speak.
     "Today, we will delve into ourselves to find our spirit animals. Some of you may already know your animal, and that is fine, for perhaps you will meet them again today and commune with them. When I begin my song, close your eyes, and picture yourself entering a hole. You probably just pictured a hole when I said that. That is your hole! Go into that one. When you are in your hole, picture a light at the other side. Go to that light, and come out of the hole. Do not get stuck in the hole! The hole is not important. When you come out the other side, look around, and you will see an animal. Ask them if they are your spirit animal. If they are not, or if you see no animal, then begin to search. Is everyone ready?"
     No one spoke, so after a few moments The Earth Spirit began her song. She beat her drum and sang loudly. The drum was clearly in the room, but her voice seemed to echo out of each listeners depths. Their soul? Their heart? Their stomach or throat or feet or loins—none could say, the vibration was everywhere at once.
     He saw a hole from his childhood. A dark pipe, emerging from the side of a hill. Water would pour out during rain storms and it was usually clogged with leaves. It had always frightened him, that he might crawl in and be stuck and drown. That fear returned, and he frantically searched for another hole. He found one, from a book, he couldn't remember which one. The roots of an overgrown tree, the dirt having eroded away, created some entrance beneath it. He entered and fell for some time until the tunnel turned and weaved and he fell with its change of direction. He couldn't see light, he could only see himself falling, forever, the tunnel spinning and winding and bringing him nowhere except further and further underground until...


     Pictures:

 On the way back to Tennessee!

 It's hard to see, but this truck was packed with nothing but GREEN BEANS!

 Lest anyone think I belong behind the wheel,
here is a picture of me driving one-handed through heavy rain while playing the harmonica and taking a picture of myself.

 I had to carry a buncha stuff for like 7 miles,
then run another 5 to get back to Lionheart.
It was hot, but I made it.

 I left this here a month ago to reward myself for returning heeheehee.

 One last night on the river. In my own tent this time.
It was a good night. The sky was perfectly clear and the Moon was full and bright.
Why yes, I did reflect.

 Final tune before getting ready.

 Ready to roll.

 A nice man named Dwayne at the top of Clinch Mountain got me milk and a cookie!
I try to eat healthy, more and more every day,
but those Oatmeal Creme Pies are my childhood packed in a plastic wrapper.

 Sleeping on top of a mountain has yet to be a mistake.

 So long Tennessee!

 Slept at the look-out atop The Pinnacle.

 The view is all the reward ya' need sometimes.

 Woke up to this.
Standing in Virginia, that's Tennessee to the left of the mountains, Kentucky to the right.

 Stopped at a little town called Pineville.

The town itself is in a little hollow surrounded by mountains and a river.

They have a few of these huge metal doors which they close when the river floods.

Like many places I have seen East of the Mississippi, history and old infrastructure give way to the new in... Generic ways (that Subway used to be a bank if you can't see).

 It's still a nice small town though!

 Daniel Boone is big here.

 The first person I talked to warned me of the town's drug problems.
Does that bring the economy down, or does a poor economy lead to more drug use?

 Congratulations Zach!
What I find interesting about the sign is what it says about the values about the people in this area.

 I suppose I have seen nicer creeks in my day.

 Such as this one! ATVs are popular around here.
Seems like someone put a bunch of sand down here to ride in.

 Not only do they have specialty tobacco stores around here,
but those stores also have a drive thru.

 "Plants with serrated leaves will either help you or kill you."

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mn6O4blB1A&t=0m11s

 I met this kind man named Chris!

We jammed and chatted and I learned a lot about local fauna!

Thank you Chris and Carmen! I will always remember your hospitality!

 I do not recommend sleeping in a field.
In the morning everything is soaked with dew.

 It was cool waking up to this though.

 Tobacco is a way of life around here.
When it's harvest time, many people disappear from their normal lives to help in the picking.
Kids have excused absences from school, for example.
I still don't plan on smoking though, sorry Kentucky!

 I wonder what Daniel Boone would think of his town now, or his country.

These butterflies are everywhere 'round here.
Fly away little guys!