Beautiful Parkway, serendipitous encounter

    7:58 I rolled out of my airbnb after finally meeting the mysterious owners of the house, Patrick and Jordan. Wove my way through the side street avoiding the main artery filled with rush hour traffic.  After a few gps induced wrong turns Nashville started to fade away.  Sixteen miles into the ride the Natchez Trace entrance ramp appeared.  No sooner had a entered an almost deserted beautiful two land parkway that I met a feel bicyclist out for his daily cardio ride.  Retired pastor, my age, he stayed with me for about an hour.  Turns out he turned bowls and did carvings, a fellow woodworker.  Upon telling Carson that my destination was Lieper Fork, he told me of this world class carver friend he studied under who lived in the town. We exchanged numbers and he headed off ahead of me.  

     Taking the exit for Lieper Fork, my first stop was at a country store with real local charm.  Being 1:00, all the workers were stopping in to pick up lunch the same as I was doing.  Country music playing, the locals greeting one another as they picked up lunch and me the very obvious out-of-towner taking in the whole scene.  I sat outside on the store front porch and ate my custom sandwich, chips and chocolate milk watching and listening to everyone.  On the road again for a mile, the historic village of Lieper Fork appeared along with Vic Hood’s shop.  Not much to the place as I rode down its length both ways checking out the stores, BnBs and period houses.  Thirty-one miles of rolling hills put a definite hurt on my legs.  The first few days of riding are always a bit tough.  Vic’s store was closed but I still parked myself on one of his porch benches.  Calling Carson he gave me Vic’s cell, Vic answered and arrived thirty minutes later.  Same age as me, 72 and could this guy carve! Apparently, he ranks as a world class carver on top of having a business of restoring significant historic wooden buildings around the country.  Ok, so I have been in business for forty- four years; nevertheless, Vic showed me how to sharpen carving chisels and knives much better than I could.  My chisels are sharp but he brought me to a whole new level.  He showed me techniques which had alluded me for years. A thoroughly serendipitous connection I had made.

        Vic let me set up my tent in his backyard where also I showered up.  Once back in his shop, I met his wife Pam.  In short order, we were off in his truck to his favorite Mexican restaurant over in Franklin.  We talked about everything including that his fame included several shows on the Discovery Channel and several books he had written on both carving and historic house preservation.  His accomplishments went on and on.  A truly remarkable man which I was so fortunate to meet.