PKU Cycle America 2008

The last two mornings we have enjoyed cycling with the fog lifting on rural lanes with valleys in the foreground and layered mountains in the distance.  The mountains have soft shapes and in this light the shades of green cover the spectrum.  The farm houses are cozy in the valleys.  One might expect to hear the Waltons saying g’nite to each other.  This is our favorite time of the day.  Later the traffic picks up and usually we end up on less rural roads going through towns.

Yesterday we enjoyed the opportunity to meet two PKU familes.  We were joined by a reporter who interviewed us and the families for the Radford newspaper.  Mattie is 8 years old and can recount all the birthdays in her extended family - quite impressive.  Mattie has PKU and does well with her diet.  Her family and grandparents met us for lunch in Radford.  Lance, Amy, Mattie and Caleb and the grandparents are very involved in all things PKU.  Their clinic is at UVA, but the staff comes to sites close to them.  This is most unusual.  We also met Brandon, Julie and Colby Gill.  Colby is 5 months old and has PKU.  Brandon and Julie use the same clinic.  Both families give much credit to the clinic and the PKU Newsletter for keeping them up to date on the status of research and low protein food products.  This was a real treat for us and where the rubber meets the road.

Today we visited Natural Bridge, one of the natural wonders of the world.  This massive bridge sits just off our route near Lexington, VA.  It is 215 ft tall which is higher than Niagara Falls.  It was formed over millions of years by a simple stream.  In 1774 Thomas Jefferson purchased the Bridge and surrounding land from King George III for the equivalent of $2.45 and then promoted it as one of the seven natural wonders of the world to tourists.  And we are still going to see it today.

Stan and Mary are with us throughout Virginia and we are enjoying their company.  Today we were in the saddle for 5 hrs 3 mins and climbed 3, 730 ft.  We are still in the hills with some steep but most moderate.  But the overall effect is very scenic.

Lexington is the home of both Washington and Lee Univ and Virginia Military Institute.  The campuses reflect the mission of each college.  They couldn’t be different.  Marc, W&L is gorgeous.

We meet PKU families in Radford, VA. We learned a lot from these families.
Click Image to Enlarge

Early morning cycling on lanes through lovely valleys.
Click Image to Enlarge

Soft light and soft hills frame beautiful valleys and farms.
Click Image to Enlarge

Natural Bridge. One of the natural wonders of the world.
Click Image to Enlarge