Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Day 3



I know there are a lot of people who travel many miles to find places to go on a long distance bike ride. I also realize there are some beautiful places in this world that I have never been. However, we have a treasure right here in our own backyard in Kentucky. The Trace follows the creeks and the rivers on these narrow roads much like the Buffalo and the Indians would have done. Hence, the name Buffalo Trace or Boone Trace.I can't imagine any place in the world anymore beautiful and scenic as this.I am grateful to God for this experience.

I stopped in at the antique store on 25 along the Trace. Found a backpack for $15 that will do quite nicely. Not long after getting on US 25  you pass the monument place on the right. You will turn left. Just after you turn left you'll see a church, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, there is also a sign that points the way thanks to Mike Mills. 

If you're looking to do long distance bike riding on flat straight roads this is not the place for you. This is Kentucky after all. But what is the fun in that anyway? That would be boring. So, for motorcycles and bicycles this is a lot of fun. It is also hard work and challenging.
Just after passing Mount Pleasant Baptist Church I had a malfunction with my bike rack.

And then I discovered that the screws that held the rack at the bottom were missing. I had to improvise. I used some electrical tape and bungee cord's not knowing if this would get me to my next destination.

 After reaching Gray,KY I stopped in at C & S market. While there,  a lady who happened to be at the store named Elizabeth Whitley began a conversation with me.I found out that she had worked in Pikeville, which is my hometown. She has a farm not far from the market. She is a paramedic. She helped me fix my bike rack using some duct tape that she had. She did a good job because it held up the rest of the day! I am so amazed and appreciative of her help!

 I Stopped at corner market at MCards.
 The lady working at the store was Wilma. 
If you decide to take this route you will notice there is a difference between the interactive map and the printed directions. I chose to take the route of the printed directions.

It was a beautiful, peaceful ride until I got close to Levi Jackson State Park on 229. It was a little scary with traffic going by so fast, and no room to get off the road, I ended up riding on the rumble strips part of the time. I do not recommend this route for bicycles. My advice is for anyone who decides to ride a  bike, use the interactive map. I spent some time at Levi Jackson State Park at some of the markers there. One of the most moving markers is the marker where a young woman from the McNitt family hid in a tree and birthed a child while her family was being massacred by Indians.

I was able to make it to London before dark where I will spend the night at my brothers house. Along the way, I have met some interesting people, and saw some beautiful sites. There were too many scenic views to capture on my camera, and too many experiences to convey with words. The old saying "you had to be there" is true for this experience as well.
And now for a good nights rest. 

Thank you Lord for protecting me throughout the day and for giving me a day I will never forget.

Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God - William Carey
Larry Penix

He made it to London, KY!

It's about 8:15PM, and Larry has made it to London, KY!  His phone died, and his little solar/crank charger didn't work so he borrowed  a phone from his brother's neighbor in London to let me post he made it.  And, how funny we found out his neighbor's aunt lives right here in Eastern KY, and actually made my sister's wedding cake.  It's a small world.  Be kind always!  You never know who you'll meet!

For those of you who have been calling me wondering about his whereabouts and safety.....  He will be spending the night with his brother there in London.  He's doing great.  Loving the nature, the people, the history...Continued prayers are always appreciated!  I heard today they were going to start praying for the bike too!

Day 4 starts in the morning!

Larry's wife, Sandy Penix

Levi Jackson State Park, Trail dirt marker # 1

Notice the condition of these markers?  Part of the reason we are here is to bring attention to this historic trail and work towards keeping these memories alive for our children!

Levi Jackson Historic Stump London, KY

At this site on October 3, 1786 a young woman gave birth to a daughter in the hollow of the tree after escaping an Indian massacre that killed all but 3 members of their party.  This plaque marks the spot where the tree stood and where subsequently the stump of the tree was incased.

Levi Jackson State Park London, KY

It's been a long day.  I'm almost there.  Its 6:45 pm.  Campground grocery looks great!  Time to stop for a short snack and rest...


Modrel's Station 229 Before you get to Levi Jackston State Park London, KY

It's about 6:00 PM. Almost to my next stop London! Here was one of four defense posts established to protect parties moving westward approximately five miles south of London.  Modrel's Station offered safety during 1793-1794 until safe.  Robert Modrel was later active in settlement of Somerset and represented Pulaski County in Ky House of Representatives.

Day 3 5:40 PM Lily, KY 1143 Hopkins Cemetary Rd

It's about 5:40 PM .Wilma at the store, told me there were people buried here from the early 1800's...  

Stopped to look at the beautiful view on my way into Corbin...

Stopped to take in the view...  About 4:48 PM

Stopped for a little lunch around 1:30 at C & S Market! Always time for a bologna sandwich!

Stopped in Gray, KY to work on my bike, and a very nice lady, Elizabeth Whitley, was so helpful.  Helped me secure my bike.  She is a paramedic.  She now lives on the farm in beautiful Gray, KY.  Thankful to all the wonderful people on my way through...And, of course, they make a GREAT bologna sandwich!


Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God! - William Carey

Larry Penix

People along the way....Gray, KY

Met David who lives here....Nice man.

Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God - William Carey

Larry Penix

Arkle Road - Knox County

Mullins Pond entrance Knox County, KY.  Stopped here in this sacred spot to pray, and thank God.


Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God!  - William Carey


Larry Penix

Higgins Hollow Road....keep an eye on your map!

  Just want to say I could not have made it without the interactive maps on the outrageous website created by John Fox and his friends....I would not recommend anyone making this trip without these interactive maps.  Even though I have studied the maps carefully from home, there are some tricky places that I may have passed were it not for the maps.  Thanks John!

Uh Oh Break down on Arkle Road in Gray, KY!

Breakdown!  Bike rack screws missing.  Had to improvise with bungee cords and electric tape! While fixing my bike I take the picture below.  I imagine Daniel Boone looking out over this creek along the way.. At around 12:30 heading into tunnell on Arkle Road, Gray, KY



Cool Antique Store along the way

Found this antique store on US25 on the Trace between Barboursville and Heidrick.  I think I'll stop for a snack and water.  Look what I found!  An LL Bean backpack. This will come in handy for the remainder of my trip.

Heading out on the trail Day 3

It is about 8:30 AM and I am packed and ready to go.  Shawn and his family graciously allowed me to borrow his hunting backpack which I have traded for the basket on my bike that was not holding up too well.  Had a wonderful night stay with great hospitality.  Fortunately, the house is right on the Boone Trace Trail!  I will be able to pick up where I left off last night. I am very thankful for the nice young man at the Food Mart I stopped at last night.  They were very helpful, and accomodating.  They helped me out with some issues with my bike and allowed me to hang out there for awhile.  I will have to mention their names later because I have already packed, and I have their names in my backpack!  However, I did find out the name of the man who placed all the signs that says: "Boone Trace" along the route.  His name is Mike Mills, and he is from Barboursville.  Not sure if he's any relation to Hazel Mills that I met yesterday in Flat Lick, but if he ever reads my blog, I want him to know how thankful I am for the work that he did.  Just a side note...one of the signs had been turned upside down and was pointing the wrong direction, however it was obvious to me that some pranksters had done this because the word Boone was also upside down!

As I head out the sun has just peaked over the mountains and there is a nice sunny view on the right side of the road.  I hope to make it to London before dark tonight which is about 30 to 40 miles from where I am now.  I will be taking mostly back roads as I had.  Even though I am riding a bicycle, and some forms of modern communication, unlike the early travelers, I still feel that someway I am blazing a new path much like Boone.  I will be traveling to places unknown, at least to me!  I will be testing my will and my strength.  I thought about coming in advance of this trip, and mapping it out in my car to check out all the roads, however I chose not to.  I wanted this to be a new, fresh, and adventurous experience much like it wouldve been for the early settlers.  And so I forge ahead!!!

Expect great things from God, Attempt great things from God - William Carey

Larry Penix

First stop Barboursville last night

It was a wonderful day.  The temperature was perfect, the sun shone brightly over the mountains in Kentucky and glistened off the water of the Cumberland River as I rode my bike along the Boone Trace.  As I rode along on my bike, I felt close to God.  In my every day world I am the pastor of Salem United Methodist Church and one of the chaplains at Pikeville Medical Center.  I am thankful my church allowed me the time to fulfill this, and I am also thankful for a loving and supportive wife who is praying for me, and helping me with my blogs.  I estimate that I rode a little over 30 miles from Middlesboro, KY to Barboursville.  I stayed with great friends in Barboursville.  I was a long day, but I was thankful for a shower, meal, and a nice comfortable bed.  Ready for day 3!

They did a story in the Middlesboro Daily News about our hike/bike through history!  See link below.

http://www.middlesborodailynews.com/news/home_top-news/152382734/Hiking-through-history