Sunday, October 20, 1996
Departure time: 8:45 (after breakfast); temperature: 43° (a cold start--there was frost on the kudzu).
I awakened before 6:00, but did some web updating and map review before going to breakfast. I decided that I could reach Atlanta (Stone Mountain) and determined from the Days Inn directory that there was a Days Inn near Stone Mountain, but I couldn't find their street on my Universal Map Greater Atlanta Street map which includes the Stone Mountain area, so I called them for directions. The desk clerk who answered the phone was incredibly inept. She gave me directions on I-575 and GA78, both of which are limited access highways on which bicycles are prohibited. She told me to go to "exit" so-and-so. I explained that I wouldn't be going to any exit because I was on a bicycle. She said they were located on 78. I asked where on 78, "what cross streets are near." She harped back to exit so-and-so and asked me if I could call her back later. I responded "no" and hung up. She lost my business.
I ate breakfast at Shoneys in Canton--horrible french toast--cinnamon in the batter.
I headed up a steep hill out of Canton, then onto the I-575 entry ramp and across I-575 to what I presumed was 140 (but the road was unmarked) [my Universal map of Northern Georgia showed enough detail that this seemed the correct turn]. After several more steep (but short) hill climbs, I reached a convenience store where I bought some "go juice" (Gatorade) and confirmed that I was indeed on 140.
As I approached Roswell, and passed through some rural estate
neighborhoods, I came upon one of the most amazing residences I'd ever seen.
The builder took the old adage about a man's home being his castle too literally;
it was indeed a castle, complete with spearheaded wrought iron fencing and
gate, and a swimming 
pool moat. I can't imagine living
in it. There was a surprising lack of vegetation, but I suppose that a clearing
around a castle is necessary to repel intruders.
I owe the bicycle club folks in Roswell an apology. I stopped in Roswell for directions and a young lady with a bike rack on her car approached me and invited me to join a group of bicyclists who were relaxing over coffee after a club ride. I had committed to meet my friends Bill & Karen in Stone Mountain and was running late and feeling pressed for time, so probably seemed a bit abrupt in telling her no. I'm sorry. I would have loved to join the bicyclists, but was just too pressed for time. Rationing my time on this trip is one of the toughest aspects of it. As I've said before, I love to "shoot the breeze" as much as anybody (I am notorious for it), but, I can't afford to take forever reaching my destination. If opportunities to visit come at those moments when I am in need of a break, I break and talk, but, if I'm making progress, I refuse to stop however much I might like to. I don't have forever; I want to get home to my family, I have to get back to my duties as an elected member of the Williamston City Council and I can't afford to stay in any more motels than absolutely necessary.
The other day I commented about the political yard signs I was seeing along the way. Today, I realized I was in Newt Gingrich's Congressional District when I saw his yard signs (Newt for Congress). I don't like to be political on this website, but I was surprised that any of Gingrich's constituents support him. It is my understanding that he's a liability to the Republican Party in most parts of the country. [I got several critical e-mail messages when I published this paragraph on the website, but I was right. In the Congressional District where I live, a Democratic challenger unseated a Republican incumbent in part by labeling the incumbent as a member of Newt Gingrich's party. I am sure that a Newt yard sign in a yard in my (conservative Republican) neighborhood would be the kiss of death to anybody else represented by signs in that yard.]
I crossed the Chattahoochee River.
As I got close to Stone Mountain, I caught up with a solo bicyclist and asked directions. He directed me to the Park, but was new to the area and didn't know where any motels were located. I rode to the park entrance and asked the gate attendant for a recommendation. She mentioned an Inn on the park grounds, but it seemed real crowded with a Scottish festival, so I took her second option and headed toward the Stone Mountain business district. Along the way, I stopped and talked with a couple of bicyclists: Tom and Anna (she's a librarian).
I didn't see any motels in the downtown area, so I went to the police station. They recommended a couple of B&B's (bed and breakfasts) including one about 1/4 mile up Main street: the Silver Hill Manor.
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This place looks like a restored ante-bellum mansion, but it is new and very nice, albeit a bit more expensive than I usually spend ($98), but cheaper (when you figure some food is included) than some of the urban or resort locations I've stayed at. Despite only 47 miles, I was beat from white-knuckle riding. I should have mentioned the fact that about 1/2 of today's riding was done on 4-6 lane highways with very fast traffic often coming within inches of my handlebars.
When I got checked in at the Silver Hill Manor, I called Bill and Kåren and gave them directions to my B&B. Bill & Kåren had tried to call me and I had tried to call them with my cellular phone from Roswell, but discovered that Air Touch (my cellular provider) had imposed a "brown out" on the Atlanta area due to a problem with "cloning," with the result that my nationwide account and remote access features wouldn't work and if I wanted to make a call, I'd have to give them a Visa or MasterCard number over the cell phone. It is ironic that they'd ask me to compromise my own security by giving out a credit card number over an insecure line in order to protect their security. No way! So, I had to wait for a "land line" to call Bill and Kåren
Bill, Kåren, their daughter Karrie and I ate at an excellent
German restaurant just a couple of doors north of the B&B on Main St.
I had wonderful Scottish stew and some excellent 
breads.
It was absolutely fantastic to see Bill and Kåren. It was amazing
to think that I'd actually ridden my bike from Dawson Creek, where I rode
with them, all the way here. I have no doubt we'll remain friends and experience
other adventures together.
The restaurant seemed well-staffed.
Total miles today: 47.
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© Ed Noonan 1996, 1997