My goal the next morning was Berea, Kentucky, where one of my housemates, Sandra Banker, had relatives. The morning riding was easy, on account of the cool temperatures.
Then, about an hour before Berea, the torrential downpour started. Visibility was low. I would have been cold, except that I was exercising heavily.
Upon reaching Berea, it occurred to me that it probably didn’t rain very much there, normally. Drainage was awful. The water was 4″ deep on some of the streets.
I was shivering heavily by the time I found the business district and post office, because I had stopped pedaling as hard. There was a letter from Merrianne waiting at the post office.
Next, I went to Hardee’s for lunch. Even in the rain, Hardee’s had their air conditioner on. It was brutal! Fortunately, their bathroom had one of those hot air hand dryers, which I availed myself of for about five minutes. After I finished eating, I went over to the local phone book to find Lester and Mary Lore.
There was nothing like that in the phone book. I asked a service station attendant whether he knew Lester and Mary Lore, hoping that in the small town of 8000, they would be recognized. Apparently, the town was just a bit too big. I tried calling Sandra at work, but had no luck.
Unable to locate the Lores, I checked into the Prince Royal Motel for $23. After a hot shower, I studied the phone book more carefully. In a town of that size, it was practical to scan every single last name beginning with “L”. I had no luck.
I decided to take inventory of my status, and wrote down the following:
VISA: $170 LEFT
CIRRUS: $327
TRAVELLER’S CHECKS: $200.
DAYS LEFT: 17
MILES: 730
DAILY AVERAGE REQUIRED: 56 MILES.
At 9 PM, I called Sandra again, at home. She was in. Her uncle and aunt were Lester and Mary Lou PROSS. I had misunderstood when Merrianne read the note she left for me. I called the Prosses, and we all arranged to have breakfast together.
Wednesday August 24, 1988
Lester and Mary Lou treated me to breakfast at Boone Tavern the next morning. It was my first taste of grits. They asked if I wouldn’t stay another day, so I accepted. Berea looked like an interesting place.
I offered to leave the tip at the restaurant, but they told me that there is a strict no-tipping policy at the school. Students are taught to be self-sufficient, and not take handouts.
I spent the day milling around Berea College, an unusual college that had a requirement of financial need for admission. Every student worked 10-15 hours a week, no exceptions. I went into the student center in the afternoon, to write a letter.
I also mailed a package home.
In the evening, Mary Lou cooked a fabulous meal, with lots of carbohydrates. After dinner we sat in the living room sipping Umeshuu with some of the Prosses’ friends.
I slept well.