Took a rest day in the hotel in Charlottesville, to recover from the tiring last few days of more miles than expected and the steep hills entering into town. Had a nice room to spread out in, which provided us the comfortable space and comfort to reassess gear choices, move some weight around to different locations on the bikes, and send a couple heavier things home. Somehow the day escaped us and we ended up doing things all day and never actually resting! We woke early for the hotel brekky. It absolutely poured rain for hours leaving C-ville. Goretex jackets, pants, and hats were amazing. Drivers were super wonderful. Revelate bike bags leaked a lot despite seam sealant and DWR spray application before we left PDX - glad I expected that and had my important stuff inside in dry bags. Sea to Summit E-vent bags are supposed to be waterproof, and were except for the E-vent fabric on one side allowing slight dampness inside which is kind of frustrating. Awesome Wyant Store stop, such kind people, so friendly. Renee Wyant posed with us for a photo; she was amazing to talk to. Teacher, then construction worker, then retired, but Mr Wyant recently asked her to work a few hours a day at the store and she said “what the hell, I’m retired, I got time!” Talked with a couple of really hospitable, old, local dudes, one was in his 80’s and one will be 91 next week. Older guy was named Elbert Dale. They seemed like they were in their early 70’s, so spry physically and sharp mentally. I wanna be them when I’m old. They met every morning with a group of friends for coffee and BS at this store, for years and years. Mr Dale even told V about his niece going to Spain recently and he knew all about Gaudi’s architecture! Then we started climbing and climbing. Same elevation gain in 1/2 - 1/3 the distance of our rides over the past two days. Now at The Cookie Lady’s house resting, drying our gear, and staying the night. She had hosted cyclists at her home for 50 years but sadly died 10 years ago; in the sale of her home, it was written that her home must remain open to cyclists in perpetuity. There’s memorabilia on all the walls and ceilings from past guests from around the world. Tomorrow a long day of lots of steep climbing to and on the Blue Ridge Parkway, then a STEEP, scary, twisty, 4-mile descent of to Vesuvius. If it’s raining we won’t descend. We will wait on top until it’s dry. And we sit here under a tornado watch for the next 6 hours…..yikes!! UPDATE: tornado watch became a tornado WARNING at 900 pm so we huddled in the innermost room (the bathroom) of the house for about 15 mins. The storm seemed to have passed but then returned with a vengeance 15 mins later and we were huddled in the bathroom for another 10 mins, seeing nearly constant lightning light up the dark house and hearing heavy rain/wind/thunder. That has now passed but flash flood warning is now in effect for 3 more hours in this deep canyon.