Season 2 Episode 16 (9/30): An Unusual yet Profound Blessing. Dumfries, VA to Ashland, VA

Season 2 Episode 16 (9/30): An Unusual yet Profound Blessing. Dumfries, VA to Ashland, VA – 

79 miles. 3,463’ climbing.

We studied the forecasts of Hurricane Ian coming up into the Carolinas, and the rain and wind ahead of it into Virginia. We decided since there was no lightning and the winds were “only” reaching 16 mph, we could ride and decided to go for it. Since rain was a near certainty in the afternoon, we started riding by 7:20 a.m., to get in as many miles as possible while still dry. Heather would have been happy to start pre-sunrise at 6! 

Within half an hour, we were struck by our surroundings. Our route took us right through Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA. This cemetery is for veterans of the US Armed Forces who in most cases did NOT die in action. Rather, it’s one way we honor those who served by offering them a veteran’s burial. 

Quantico National Cemetery

There’s something very equitable about everybody having the same size tombstone (other than personal bio) regardless of achievement subsequent to military service.

I read afterwards that one of my favorite authors of old was buried there. Had I known prior, I’d have surely gone looking for his grave. This is a photo from online.

So many of us read his works including Exodus, The Haj, Mila 18, QB VII, and others. Battle Cry was based on his US Marine experience.

Shortly afterwards, we were on a quiet backroad, very isolated, with dark clouds above. An eerie setting to begin. And a van was following us very slowly instead of passing. That sometimes occurs for a vehicle to follow you instead of crossing the double yellow line to pass. But this was different as the van had opportunities to pass, but just stayed behind us for what was uncomfortable minutes. I said to Heather who was behind me, this could be our Silence Of the Lambs moment where we get snatched, nobody would know. (Did I think of that subconsciously because we had recently passed Quantico?) With that she accelerated and passed me. I said that’s a good idea, the kids need their mom more than their dad. She agreed. Anyhow the van soon passed us and went on its way. It was creepy.

When we came to Fredericksburg, it was not raining yet so we took a detour to ride around town and check it out. It’s a charming town rich in colonial and Civil War history and worth visiting. Favorite clever title of a store was “Sorry Mom Tattoo”.

Shortly after leaving Fredericksburg, we got rained on for over 30 miles (3 plus hours) all the way to Ashland. It wasn’t a torrential downpour like we endured on our way last week to West Chester, PA. But it was colder and windier outside, so we were wet and chilly.

I thought to myself: I’m cold and sweating at the same time while riding up a hill, and asked why am I doing this? For inspiration, I thought of the Korean War Veterans Memorial we saw yesterday in DC. I had seen that memorial a few times before and it always seems very alive to me. The figures of those soldiers are in what looks like ponchos, so I assume they are dealing with rain. I knew my plight was nothing compared to theirs.

And here’s the remarkable thing. When our host Frann, in Forest Hill a few nights ago, said Grace at dinner, in addition to expressing thanks for the food before us, she blessed us including specifically prayed that “we enjoy the rain”. That led to a remark from her husband Steve of why not wish they have no rain. At the time, I also first wondered if she misspoke. But she confirmed to him that’s what she meant to say. And it turned out to be profound and spot on today. After about 15 minutes of attitude adjustment, I had a playful ride in the rain. I was singing out loud, for hours and laughing.

And I CANNOT sing. Really. I barely know more than 5-10 words of any song. And only from a song when I was in high school or college and not since. It’s a peculiarity of how my brain stores lyrics. It’s like I have a fragmented disk drive so I know a few words here and a few there from a song. In some cases, I know literally one single word from the song and sing that word repeatedly. Levon by Elton John being one such example and one of my very favorites. And on top of that, there is my complete inability to sing on key or even know the difference. Anyways, all of that makes it even more remarkable that I was singing in the rain (yes I know that is Gene Kelly movie song) and having a blast of a day.

My singing, so off key and in my fragments, tortures Heather. She told me she’d rather it pour than hear me pretend to sing!

Our one reprieve from the rain was a break in a coffee shop in Bowling Green. Hot chocolate for me and pumpkin chai for Heather.

Of course I made myself right at home and blended in discretely.

[Bowling Green fun fact that I learned: site of movie Loving, this is where interracial couple Richard and Mildred Loving fell in love and were arrested and which became a Supreme Court case overturning their conviction and laws banning their marriage.]

We finally arrived very wet and cold in Ashland to the hotel we wanted to stay at and had no reservation. (We are now only arranging hotels a day at a time without a plan, seeing how far we ride.) Sure enough they were sold out! I tried all my tricks. (See Baton Rouge, season one.) To no avail. How? We were in the middle of nowhere it seemed. We learned it’s the State Fair nearby. All hotels are likely full. This could be a disaster. I’d sleep in their dry lobby if needed. After a few minutes we found a nearby hotel that was a bit sketchy, but seemed like a haven to me.

Cold and wet after dashing to and from dinner.

One of the best “signs from above” reinforcing the path we’ve chosen, was in the coffee shop that afternoon. I glanced at their “library” and saw a copy of one of the 4 most personally influential books I’ve ever read. It’s not a book so often see around. I read The Drifters by James Michener around age 20 while still a student. It influenced me then greatly. AND I reread it less than a year ago and believe in it as much. My take is remembering how it ends, people should see their dreams for what they are.

Here’s a great quote I found online from the book: “The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.”

We went to bed with our reality of more rain and wind forecasted and we’d see what the morning brought us.

The Drifters by James Michener. A sign to me.


© Copyright Mark Segal 2022

Comments

  1. Another excellent recap! I was thrilled to read about The Drifters as it also made a huge impact on me. I was an exchange student in Italy in 1976 and was "europassing" my way around Europe - so moved by the story. Still have the book and now will have to reread!

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  2. are we supposed to feel bad for you that you get started at 7;20? BTW, it was Stu S that asked me during my cross country ride "What do you do when it rains?"

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  3. hmmm don't think I ever read the Drifters...can I get the Coles Notes? Will It be as inspirational? XOXO M

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