360 miles via US 113, I-795 (in Goldsboro), I-95, US 58, some local roads to US 1, VA 40, VA 642, US 460 and VA 24 to the Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park. Then VA 24, US 60, US 15, US 29, VA 28, VA 646 and VA 234, with a refueling stop in Zion Crossroads VA. Miles since the end of Hop 2: 364. Cumulative route miles: 1,132. Total TN9 miles: 1,155. The extra 4 miles on this hop were due to my trip to Chili’s for dinner.
This is one of the most complex hop routes I have ever experienced. I am pretty sure that I didn’t record it exactly right. This is the result of a whimsical decision to divert to see the Appomattox Courthouse. I made that decision after I stopped for coffee just over the VA border. When I look at where Appomattox is located, I realize that I could have saved about 50 miles if I had made that detour decision before I left my hotel in Goldsboro. I was also intending to stop at the Manassas battlefields, but decided, halfway there, that I had run out of time, so I rerouted to my Montclair destination. All of this whimsy cost me about 90 minutes in wasted travel. But at least it was (mostly) a nice sunny day and I got to see a lot of central VA where I have never been. I did get one heavy shower, but it didn’t last long.
The trip to the Appomattox Courthouse was not worth the effort. Because it was so much further from I-95 than I expected, I felt pressed for time and so spent only about 30 minutes there. I may not have fully appreciated what it had to offer because it was a battlefield as well at the site at which the Civil War officially ended. But at least I got to see it and get a feel for where this historical event occurred.
My home for one night in Goldsboro was the Days Inn. This one was a bit nicer than the one in Charleston, but still just mediocre. The keycard they gave me didn’t work initially and I had to return to the front desk – a fairly long walk, carrying my luggage – to get that rectified. Annoying.
I “dined” at the nearby Chili’s where I had, no surprise, chili.
Did I mention that Marlene wants me to grow a beard? I have not shaved since the start of TN9. I am definitely into my “homeless derelict” phase.