125: Hot and muggy again

Even falling down they are lovely

There were thunderstorms in the forecast today, and though they did not materialize, the growing clouds and heavy atmosphere have returned us to the hot and muggy days we had a few days back.

The first portion of our ride was out in the woods, along a stream, and for a time I thought maybe we were back in Oregon!  It was pleasant then, under the trees. But anytime we hit the sunshine - Wow! Like an EasyBake Oven, where the sun is the light bulb that cooked us.

He really seemed to like me

We stopped to have a break in the woods, and this little butterfly kept coming to rest on my leg. He must have been salt-deficient! Certainly he was not going to find any nectar there on my knee.

The tandem takes a break in the woods

Our lunch stop in Buchanan was at The Fountain. It's an old soda fountain and grill, that just happens to be on the National Register. I think maybe that's a first for me. My hamburger was perfect - juicy but with crisp bits from the grill, and a toasted bun that crunched with each bite. Heaven! Plus a root beer float. Because that's what you want at the soda fountain, right?

National Registered Soda Fountain in Buchanan

We rode past Virginia Military Institute, which is pretty stern and forbidding looking. Which I guess might be the point. Anyway, I thought it was interesting that all the buildings were the same khaki color!

Virginia Military Institute - all khaki!

The day's report:  Lexington to Salem (near Roanoke), 56.1 miles/5998 to date

Tomorrow we hit 6000 miles!