Editor’s note: Salisbury native David Freeze is running across the state from Murphy to Manteo. The Post is chronicling each day of his journey. Contact him at david.freeze@ctc.net.

I went to bed early Sunday night hoping that the predicted bad weather wouldn’t happen. But about 4:30 a.m., I could hear the rain pouring and knew that another day of weather challenges was just ahead.

I looked outside and saw the cars splashing water and another dark morning. I briefly thought about just staying in Rutherfordton for another night. But that was just a fleeting thought. My wet-weather gear had been working fine, and I left about 7:40 a.m. Monday, just as soon as enough light would add to visibility.

The first mile was horrendous with heavy rain and traffic. I couldn’t even get on the pavement, so I said an extra prayer almost immediately. Within another mile, two miraculous things happened. I passed the elementary school that parents were leaving and causing part of the rush. Then just past the school, both U.S. 74A and 221 turned off.

Suddenly, I was left with manageable traffic on U.S. 64 and plenty of time on the pavement. The rain kept pounding down.

The rain turned to a cold snow, heavy at times and often wind-driven. I faced a headwind for the first time on the journey, and my hands were getting really cold. I had purchased two bags of hand warmers, thinking that they were the same as I had been using. A different brand, they were only marginally effective and my hands got colder.

About 6 miles into the morning, I saw a store and said another prayer. This time, I boldly asked that the little convenience store would stock hand warmers. I walked in and watched an unfriendly group of four customers think that a crazy man had come through the door.

I walked though a small hardware section and almost every shelf or bin was empty. The only full box in the section was the good kind of hand warmers. When I checked out, the woman said, “I didn’t even know we had these.” Pretty darn cool.

My hands were warm the rest of the day. Reminded me of the fork and spoon on the northwestern bike ride.

U.S. 64 on up to Morganton turned out to be one of the best roads I had been on and was freshly paved. The shoulders were shaped and packed gravel that let me run one or two wheels off the pavement when space was tight.

The scenery was spectacular, with restored older farmhomes and beautiful mountains, almost as if we were in a valley for a while.

Other than the store clerk, I talked to no one during the morning but did spot yet another Bigfoot.

Shortly after noon, things picked up. Two miniature horses and a burro came running over to see me pass by. A herd of longhorn cattle didn’t care for me but one cow did stop by.

Finally, I had real human contact later in the day. I had stopped in the woods behind one of those little telephone buildings to use the bathroom. Imagine my surprise when a repair truck backed up almost immediately to the building.

I acted like I hadn’t been caught, and Jonathan Duncan of Morganton did too. When I told him what I was doing on the journey, his first response was, “Why?” My answer wasn’t quite so simple.

There was also a good history lesson along U.S. 64 today. The famous Revolutionary War battle at Kings Mountain was preceded by a skirmish at Cane Creek between Loyalists and the “Overmountain Men.” I followed the creek for several miles today and noticed that part of it had been walled by stacked rocks, making for a beautiful setting. The skirmish happened in 1780, and Fort McGaughey was constructed nearby.

My goal was to make the Interstate 40 area in Morganton Monday afternoon, a good stopping place after 30 miles. Amber met me here about 6:30 p.m. to bring me home for two days of community commitments. I will start back at the I-40 interchange area very early Thursday morning as it looks now.

There will not be a story in the Wednesday or Thursday Post, but my submissions will resume on Friday morning.

Thanks again to Crystal Karriker for the baby jogger. It has taken a pounding daily with all the edge of the road travel. I am going to repack and change out a few pieces of gear but most of it will stay the same. I am hoping to do away with some of the cold-weather stuff.

Our spring beginning runners class starts tonight at Novant Health. If interested, be in the cafeteria meeting a little before 6 p.m. Call 704-310-6741 for more information.

Can’t wait to get back at it. See you again on Friday.