Yesterday the clouds proved to be more than just a facade. From just after my post yesterday, around 1pm, until I stopped for the night at a church in Everetts, NC, around 7pm, the rain did not let up. It varied from light to moderate, but it didn’t stop until just before the sun went down. To be honest, it wasn’t that bad, and I enjoyed it. I just threw my rain gear on (not waterproof) and rode on, and I think it really helped to offer some perspective and calm me down.

I stopped to spend the night at a little Baptist church in town, to sleep under a little overhang that would keep me dry should the rain pick up again. I was just about all set up when a woman came around to practice some music at the church. I think I startled her when I came around the corner to ask if it was alright if I slept there for the night. She said it was fine and went inside. When she was done with her music, she came back out and talked to me a bit. She let me fill my water bladder up inside. Then off she went.

Just a little bit later an older man came around, said the woman, Becky, had told him about me and he said I could use his bathroom in the morning if I wanted, as he just lived around the corner. His name is Richard, and we talked for a bit. Then it got completely dark, and he left me to get to bed. Less than two minutes after he left, Becky and her son Cory came around and invited me over to have a hot shower and some fresh-made peach cobbler. Well, I don’t know how one could turn down that offer, so I accepted. We walked to their house. Not more than two minutes after stepping into their house, the phone rang. Wouldn’t you know, it was Richard calling Becky to let her know that I was welcome to sleep on his couch for the night, instead of sleeping on the sidewalk outside the church. So I got my shower in and enjoyed some wonderful cobbler while Becky was so kind to wash and dry some of my clothes that were completely soaked. Watched a bit of the homerun derby with Cory and his dad Mack, and the other son Matt came home a bit later. Then it was off to Richard’s place for a comfy couch to sleep on.

Now, feeling well-rested and much more relaxed than yesterday morning, I’m about to head out in hopes of reaching the salty water today. Hopefully the rain is done for now, and maybe I can enjoy a nice swim today. We’ll see.