Anniston, Alabama to Cedartown, Georgia to Atlanta

Once we arrived in Anniston we found our hotel (an excellent Hampton Inn in Jacksonville, Alabama) which was literaly 300 yards from the turn-in point for our U-Haul and 1 mile from the Chief Ladiga Trail that we would ride on to Atlanta. In addition to all of the above, our hotel had a manager's reception of complimentary h-orderves, beer and wine--a dry county it was not! Additionally, we were told that a local sports pub catered to cyclists, had great steaks and would pick you up and drop you off back at the hotel after dinner. Oh my gosh, we were in heaven!!! Dinner was great and the ride the next day was even better. No cars or trucks allowed. Betsy and I talked all day and totally decompressed to include a picnic on the trail. We arrived in Cedartown, GA at the Holiday Inn Express. When the desk clerk found out we were biking she immediatly called a long term resident of the hotel named Kenny Herriot. Kinney just happens to be the number one rated hand cyclist in the world. He lost the use of his legs in 2000 in a freak motorcycle accident. At the time he owned a gym and was a physical fitness trainer. He is now a professional athlete and motivational speaker. Kenny spends part of his time training and working in his native Scotland and the other portion of his time training with a good friend here in Georgia. What a wonderful man to meet and talk with. We had dinner with him last night and breakfast with him this morning before we took off for Atlanta. We would love for him to come visit us and tour Oregon/Idaho. Once again we were reminded as to what this adventure is all about-meeting new people in new and unlikely places. Kenny's web site is(www.kennyherriot.co.uk). Do check it out. This morning we cycled into Atlanta where Stacey (our daughter) met us at the trailhead. It is great to see her once again and we are reminded of how very important family is to us. We are going to spend a few days visiting and then will push on to Savannah. The adventure continues. We will blog once again as we head to Savannah. I will have time for a few runs while staying here i(something I have not been able to do for over 4 weeks). We miss everyone at home and yet we still look forward to what is around the next bend in the road. Life is good. <