Distance today = 47.58 km; Total distance = 11,036.11 km; Location = Edmonton – 36 58.759′ N, 85 36.896′ W; Start time = 0810, Finish time = 1536

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218557593

The temperature isn’t perfect yet, but just about everything else today was. I took very quiet back roads with almost no traffic, and consequently enjoyed the undulating hills through lush Kentucky bluegrass country. I had a shorter day, which I felt I deserved after the recent big week. The milestone for the day was passing the 11,000 km mark.

I am clearly not on the tourist trail. Except in the big cities, we see no other tourists at all. Nor do I see any other runners, and I think I’ve seen just one cyclist in the past two weeks. I guess people just don’t exercise outside much in these parts, at least not during the summer.

I saw a new crop today. It looked like giant cos lettuces, but with yellowing bits. I noticed many of them hanging up to dry in barns, where they were turning brown. I’m guessing it’s tobacco – the death crop.

I also noticed two scavenger birds picking at a dead skunk. They were very large and black – like crows, but much bigger. They flew off sluggishly as I approached, then circled and headed back to the skunk after I’d passed. I must find out what they are.

Coming into town, I noticed an aluminium recycling plant. It prompted me to provide a friendly spelling lesson for the American readers. Note the spelling of aluminium, with two ‘i’s. The element aluminium, a metal and number 13 on the periodic table, ends in the same three letters as the majority of known elements, such as helium, lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, radium, and uranium. It is not spelt aluminum, although there are a couple of elements that do end in ‘num’, such as molybdenum and lanthanum. I am not sure when or why Americans began spelling the word incorrectly.

I am now heading in a generally easterly direction, toward the Appalachian Mountains. I’ve heard they’re beautiful, and it should be great to run through them.