On the road to Damascus

No miracles or revelations, or nothing to do with the group in Buck Horn, just yesterday i was travelling on the road and ended up in Damascus. But before that i was deep in the Kentucky coal mining regions with towns named Hazard and Talcum. Very steep sided valleys with narrow roads going up through, that i was hanging on for dear life when some coal trucks would go thundering by. They'd bury people in your eye too, up in every little off shoot or spur on the hill there was a small graveyard. The valleys were only wide enough for the road and a house, as well as the small stream  that created it. Not exactly wealthy areas either with many living in trailers or mobiles, but then again, when the coal runs out it's up sticks and move onto the next place to follow it. Signs such as 'stop the war on coal' or 'if you don't like coal, don't use electricity' gives you an idea of the views of the locals, so i said advertising earth hour and getting them to switch off their lights was a no go. Some trains keep going all night up through the mountains, collecting coal and moving on. A few serious ascents and descents, with tight hairpins to keep me alert on the way down.
Really started to get a good view of the Blue ridge mountains of Virginia yesterday as the hills opened up a few times, especially around Hayters Gap. In Damascus there is 'The place' set up by one of the churches for Trans Am cyclists and hikers from the Appalachian trail, that runs right through the town. So after a tough day where the legs were not so inclined to move, i settled in there for the night. Got a few things washed and enjoyed a warm shower and a roof over my head for the night. A good day so far today with over 50 miles down and another to gpo if i am to get to Christiansburg, so i'm going to hit the road.