1999-10-20 Well it finally happened: I found my self in a situation where my heart started beating faster, and stayed that way a while. Imagine a bridge that's about a half mile long, and not even as wide as most roads. There is a walkspace 18 inches wide (not wide enough to ride a bike on) and then the road. That bridge exists, and it connects Indiana to Kentucky. Okay, I knew for a fact that I wouldn't be able to bike over that bridge with all the traffic, so I decided to place my bike on the elivated walkway and my feet on the road and walk across. This worked okay for the most part. Cars could still get around me. Now here comes a group of semis, from both directions, going to pass me at the same time. Now a semi takes up a heap of space. Two across used up the entire road. So what did I do? I jumped up on the walkway with my bike and hugged the bridge railing as these trucks flew past me with about eight inches of space to spare. Of course multiple trucks passing at the same time cause the bridge to shake and the winds to kick up. It was of those rare experiences that makes a better story than recreation activity. Did it ever get COLD last night! But I think I'm starting to get used to it. I woke up to find my tent encrusted in frost, my water bottle a slushy, and my bananas crunchy. No trouble with critters, although I do keep hearing this weird wale/cry sound that might be some kind of bird or cat. I hear a lot of coyotes. I wonder if I'll ever get a chance to hear wolves howl? I left camp late today. Right at dawn I took a walk through this field with a large forest at its edge. Suddenly I heard this crackling sound coming from the woods. It sounded like some sort of machine. But it got louder and more intense with squeals and high pitches. Maybe a herd of deer was smashing through the brush? No, it got louder and more intense with more noises yet. I was becoming a little concerned. What was coming through the woods? Suddenly this HUGE flock of blackbirds appears above the forest and decends in a tree with all the silence of the Milwaukee Mile on race day. Now I know how Hitchcock got his inspiration for Birds. I'm currently in Owensburo doing my laundry. I traveled on 66 to 231 to get here, not a route I'll ever "recommend to a friend." I'm thinking I'm in need of a real meal, so as soon as I'm finished getting cleaned up, I'm going to go search for a restaurant.