Though rain and strong winds serenaded me all night, I get up at 6am and find the inside of the tent dry. :)

Today turns out to be a repetition of yesterday. I don't know if this is good or bad. There are more severe weather warnings and I fall into a comfortable routine. Read, take some notes, do some laundry, wait.

It's actually nice and cozy. I just need to remind myself not to try to force my agenda on the bigger picture.

Last night I met two chaps who trailered their bikes from Florida in hopes of good weather. This morning they seem to have divided opinions on the probable weather outcome. One claims to be an overt optimist, openly affirming that things will clear up by noon. The other, more of a pessimist, thinks this weather will hold for the rest of the week!

As noon comes around, the intensity increases! They will soon hitch their trailers and head back to Florida. So much for optimism. . .

I'm sitting in the common area with feet up on the table, watching the weather network. A couple that has recently arrived on a GS1150 comes over and sits. Robert and Mary (not their real names) are from Pennsylvania. We soon strike common grounds and quickly discover affinities. They, like I, have been to Newfoundland several times and have greatly enjoyed it. We have a pleasant chat about this and that, mostly related to bike touring.

As the afternoon wears on, it becomes likely that this weather will not clear up soon. A third of the US seems to be caught in this system and it looks like it'll be here awhile. I decide that if the forecast calls for milder winds I'll be heading north in the morning.

By late afternoon there's another break in the weather and I again seize the opportunity to take a run in town for supplies.

By now some of the staff at Ingles knows me.

As I walk in, I look at Bridget who is some eight cashes down. I point to my backpack and silently mouth the words "can I put this over there?" She silently mouths back to me "ok" and gives me a thumbs up.

I go over the same routine. Pick up water, juice, fruit, grilled-chicken and black-eyed pea salad.

On the ride back there is denser fog in the mountains and darkness is setting in as I arrive at the campground. Riding through the parking area, I see a group of people huddled around a bike but don't pay much attention. My guess is that someone is probably showing off a new gadget.

Before I park for the night, I need to lube my chain. Without benefit of a centerstand, this process involves lubing 8-10 inches of chain and then rolling the bike back 8-10 inches and so on. As I squat in the dark, an older rider walks up with a flashlight. He was sitting by his tent and wants to know if he can help.

I tell him that everything is under control and thank him, but he insists. So he stands there holding his flashlight as I perform the ritual. Small things like this never cease to amaze me about riders. They have an unusual predisposition to help, especially another rider. This gets me thinking what it would be like with more riders on the planet. :)

Certainly couldn't hurt. . .

Back at the main building, Robert informs me that someone has just backed into his bike while it was parked! He and Mary were both sitting on the gallery as they watched a car slowly back up and tip their bike over.

He's understandably distressed. I'm shocked and initially in disbelief! So that's what the crowd around the bike was about. As it stands, he has the driver's insurance information but hasn't yet determined the extent of damage. In addition, his wife's helmet was on the bike and is now damaged.

He mentions that there is a truck with trailer that is conveniently available. At this point, he's considering towing the bike to the local dealer in Atlanta in the morning for an appraisal. He mentions that it looks like a workable solution though he might need a driver for the truck.

As I listen empathetically, it doesn't occur to me why he would need a driver, but I don't think further on this as I am intent on heading north tomorrow morning.

I'm back at the tent and rethinking this past event. I don’t feel comfortable with this at all. Robert mentioned possibly needing a driver and I didn't offer assistance. This troubles me, as I know how vulnerable you can feel when things go wrong far from home. In that situation, any support is welcome. Appeasing his worries is what's called for. It's too late to do anything now, but I resolve to offer my help first thing in the morning.

Tonight there is heavy rain, lightning, and thunder. This goes on all night. I awaken often from the noise and keep thinking about my poor bike parked right outside the tent with no cover to protect it.

Bruno
Montreal, Canada