M2C Day 5

 

Henderson to Tarboro

75 miles 1936’

Another beautiful, warm day in NC. Today you could ride either 74 or 101. We decided we have nothing to prove and rode the 74. We had four aid stations today and some of the coolest ones. I loved the Laurel Mill and checking it out. Lots of history there and a beautiful setting. There was live music there and another rest stop also featured live music. The second stop served sweet potatoes. While we were there a newspaper (the old fashioned kind, used a notepad) reporter asked if she could interview us. I think we kind of shocked her with a few of our answers. Anyway, she told us the story would come out in their weekly newspaper (the paper kind) and we should contact them and they would mail us a copy. Our last stop of the day, they were so enthusiastic ringing cow bells and whooping it up for us. We only wanted to finish, so we got back on to ride and get away from the gnats! Right before town, an older cyclist tried to avoid a pothole and hit someone’s tire and went down in front of us. It was scary but he seemed to be ok, his bike (an expensive one) had some damage. He got a ride to camp. 

When we got to the city park, a gal came up to us and asked us if we were from Idaho. Long story short, as we talked she said she recognized me. We figured it out, she swam on swim team with my kids at Meridian High. I think Jon and I are the only ones from Idaho. This just bolsters Jon’s case that I always find someone I know. 

Tarboro is a really neat little town. Happy hour was in the town square. The chamber of commerce rolled out the red carpet for us. We are full and ready to rest so we can do it again tomorrow! I saw cotton ready to harvest today and that was a first for me :).

P.S.: rule one in setting up camp-look up. We pitched under a tree in hopes of mitigating the dew. But a light just turned on three tents away. Things to add to the list for next time: eye shades.