Nashville and tennesseek shelter

I made it to Nashville on Friday and got a new rear tire since my new one was already shredded through in three spots. When I made it to town I called on hotel rooms and one place said they had some available so I rode over there and they told me they were full. They weren't very helpful so I went to one nearby and they were full but more helpful. I was directed a little further out of downtown to a strip of hotels and found one. It turns out Vanderbilts homecoming is this weekend.

As I pedalled through town a few people rolled down their windows at lights and talked to me and welcomed me to Nashville. It was very encouraging. I decided to stay by my motel for the night and then went to town today. I picked up a new raincoat for my bike that is designed in the pacific northwest, so it should be good.

The day I left Memphis it was raining and slowly began to pour. I found out my rain jacket is now more water resistant than proof. It turned out to be a cold and wet day, but I stayed in a state park and had the tent site all to myself. I warmed up in the shower and hung my clothes up all over the room to dry.

The next day I was hoping to get just under halfway to Nashville and did a little better. I was trying withot luck to find a place to camp along the road and then in the next town I came to I stopped by a church and ended up talking to the pastor. He said I could camp in the yard, but then he asked if I would rather have a room. I said either way thinking he was talking a Sunday school room or spare bedroom. Instead he took me inside the church, called a motel, and had it charged to the church. Then he opened up the pantry and tried to give me a bunch of canned goods. I took two and he tried to get me to take more but I had no room.

So it was a rough start in Tennessee, but much better as I go through.