Day 9 - May 19, 2023. Gilbertsville, KY - Morganfield, KY

Here we go...... the longest ride of the trip.  The hotel breakfast didn't open until 7, so we didn't get away until about 7:30.  Here's the view from my balcony about 6:30.  Looking out over Kentucky Lake.


We backtracked a few miles to get onto today's route.  We crossed the Kentucky Dam on the bike path once again and then back over the Tennessee River.  At about 19 miles we reached the booming metropolis of Smithland (population 300) and our first SAG stop on the banks of the Ohio River.  


Smithland is located at the confluence of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers.  We saw a few of the historic buildings there.  The Gower House was built around 1780 as an inn for travellers.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.





And - the original Methodist Church.  Seems we're now seeing a few less Baptist Churches and a few more Methodist ones.


A mile or so later we crossed the Cumberland River on the brand new blue bridge.


I see we're still on the "Trail of Tears", first noted a few days ago.



We had a nice 5 mile flat section fairly close to the Ohio River.


Then a very rude uphill that I had already decided (last night) that I was going to walk.  As far as I know, only the tandem and Yolanda made it up on just two wheels.  


A few more miscellaneous pics over the next couple of hours................





After about 50 miles the amount of farmland vs forest became more noticeable.  I think the main crop is corn.


Miscellaneous sights and signs....................






Into the town of Sturgis at 75 miles, and a brief stop for a slurpee.  So cold............


I was thankful that the terrain flattened out a bit around here until the end of the ride 15 miles later.


Who knew this was oil country?


Finally ........... into our destination town of Morganfield.




We're staying at a pretty run-down no-star motel tonight.  And - 4 of us are staying at the Outcast Annex of that motel.  Ughh; oh well.....  I think we're all tired enough that we might just pass out for the night.  Another 60-mile day tomorrow,but much less climbing.


Morganville, Kentucky

Population 3,256 (2020).  The town was established in 1812 and incorporated in 1870.  It was named for Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan, who was awarded a land grant for his military service.  In 2000 the median household income was $38,676.  Former Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey is from here.  


Stats for the day:

Distance:  148.1 km / 92.0 miles

Elevation (Garmin):  1654m up / 1655m down.  5427' up / 5430' down.

Elevation (RWGPS):  1552m up / 1553m down.  5092' up / 5095' down.

Weather:  17C - 32C.  Mostly overcast, although the sun came out from time to time.  More humid than yesterday.  Thankful for a bit of a tailwind from the south.




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