Day 21 - Who let the dogs out?

Now we are in Kentucky, our second state on the route. And we survived the REAL "steepest slope on the route" again. So far. This time it took us 45 minutes to climb the 7km uphill! But at least we had a nice view on the top.

Last week we had a very rainy day and it was only 10 degrees (50 fahrenheit). We were in a very bad mood. In addition we only had one possibillity to stay at night and our phone has had no signal (like always). When we reached our destination nobody was there and we thought we had to camp in the backyard. But all of a sudden Mr and Ms Whitetree appeared and showed us our place for the night. It was a gym! Including bathroom, kitchen and a basketball hoop! The whole place just for ourselves! The Freeda Harris Baptist Center saved our whole day! Thank you again!

As we crossed the border to Kentucky the number of loose dogs multiplied by 100! Every day we had to struggle with ten to twenty loose dogs which are in nearly every frontyard in rural Kentucky. If they hear/see a cyclist, they psych out. They chase us, bark and snarl. Thankfully most of the american dogs are too fat for a long chase, so we outran some of them. Some of them were really agressive and we were lucky no dog bite us they caused no accident. Meanwhile we figured out how to encounter them: Be silent! Be alert! Be quick! And if there is no other possibility left: Pepperspray!

Today at dinner we heared a very loud alarm signal with thunderstorm warnings. Dark clouds were at the sky and rolled towards us. Luckily only the edge of the thunderstorm cell hit us. We had strong winds, rain and hail. This time our tent stayed dry inside, cause earlier that day we prepared it with waterproofing spray.

Now we expect no more "steepest climbs" (not until Colorado) and to cross Kentucky until the end of the next week.

Hints for cyclist:
- E&S grocery in Birchleaf, VA. If you need supplies, visit the friendliest grocery on the entire route! Thanks to Rita and Valerie!
- Freeda Harris Baptist Center, Lookout, KY. Want to sleep in a gym? Knock loud on the door next to the gym.

Total mileage so far: 1282 KM (795 miles)