Well, here we are (Sam, Missy, and Matt) in Jonesborough, TN.  Best. Day. Ever.  But seriously, it was a darn fine day.  The weather was great (although it was 25 this morning), and the sun was in full force. 

We started a little late after Missy pointed out that if we ever had to fit all three of us in the car, we'd have no place for the third bike....  Thus began the frantic search for a tray and rack hardware. Once we got on the road, we ticked along at a pretty good rate until we started gettin the hongries.  Matt to the rescue!  15 minutes later, we were eating peanut butter, nutella, and peanut M&M sandwiches.  Whoa.

I took the first 2 county line sprints, but then Missy caught up with 2 of her own.  I took the lead at the last county line of the day, but she caught me sleeping at the Jonesborough city limits.  Tied at 3 each for the start of day 2.

Missy's knees are sore, and Matt's clutch knee is a little sore, too (he's not used to a stickshift).  Sam's knee is tender, but hopefully nothing a little ibuprofen won't fix. 

I applied noxema to my butt area today.  Twice.  Missy said it would be awesome.  It made me a little squirmy, but she was right.

We got to Jonesborough right on schedule and we were greeted by a great group of supporters hosted by the League of Women Voters.  The League is interested in fighting mountaintop removal because its effects on water quality.  They were a generous and passionate bunch.  We met our host for the evening, Frances Lamberts, and then we were whisked off to the Cranberry and Thistle for hot chocolate and yummy scones.  We all talked for a while and did an interview for the paper, then everyone signed the petition and wrote letters to the EPA in support of our efforts.  It was really amazing to come to a new place and find such good people. 

Then dinner.  Oh, dinner.  Butternut squash soup and home made cornbread, 2 different quiches, and a fruit salad to cleanse the palate.  All from the organic garden out back.  Now it's late, and we're wiped.

All in all, today set a high bar for the rest of the trip.

Out.

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