Update #35 - Aug. 28, 2003
Christiansburg, VA - 7,419.4 miles (11,870.9 kms.)

It has been almost two weeks since my last update. There's a lot to say but if I would write about everything that happened during this time it would be several pages long. I covered two states since my last update (Kentucky and West Virginia).

The rides through these states were some of the most enjoyable with regards to meeting good people but they were some of the hardest because of riding through the Appalachians. I'm nearing the Eastern Edge of the Appalachian Range now. I've got about sixty miles to ride to go over the Blue Ridge Parkway and then the rest of the ride to Virginia Beach will be relatively easy. I'm a little over 300 miles from the ocean and the end of my thirteenth crossing of the U.S.A.

The people have been friendly. An elderly couple in Ashland, KY greeted me with handshakes and two $5 bills. They told me that they appreciate what I'm doing. I've had the Christian flag on the back of the bike on top of my slow-moving vehicle sign since Illinois. Sunday night while waiting for the service at the Baptist church in Cedar Grove, W.V., a lady across the street came out of her house with a full hot meal of chicken and dressing and a large glass of iced tea. Yesterday, I was chased down by a man on a scooter in Narrows, VA who wanted to give me a cold soft drink. In Pearisburg, a lady stopped me to give me a cold bottle of water.

Churches have been quite friendly. I've been able to speak at several churches along the way. Last Sunday morning, I spoke at the First Baptist Church in South Charleston, W.V. and Sunday night I spoke at the Baptist church in Cedar Grove. Both churches provided me with "Love Offerings". This month, I've been given nearly $600 in "Green-Handshakes" and "Love Offerings". This is over four times what I was given in July and over 7 times what I was given monetarily in June. Churches have provided me with motel rooms along the way and food to take along.

This month, I've found almost $20 in loose-change "Road Manna". This is the most for the any month of this year. I picked up almost $2 just today.

I'm staying with a young couple outside of Christiansburg tonight. As I've stated earlier, I've got about 300 miles to ride to the ocean at Virginia Beach. From Virginia Beach, I'll be starting my Southerly ride back to Florida. There will be a ride to the Outer Banks in N.C.

I'll try to post an update as often as I can if there are any changes in my plans.