Day 68 – Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Huddleston, VA to Holliday Lake State Park, Appomattox, VA

10/18/2026

Our route today covers 67.2 miles with 3,778 ft of elevation gain. Some of the route as along a stretch of 4-lane divided highway with little or no shoulder – it seemed dangerous, not just annoying.

The cyclists, Rolf, Greg, & Mark found a road that roughly paralleled the busy road and had very little traffic.

The route went through the town of Appomattox and on to Appomattox Court House where Lee surrendered to Grant in 1865.

Don't want to get lead poisoning

McClean house

We learned that many of the county seat towns are named Court House and that the building in which the government operated is the Courthouse. Apparently, that made the county seat towns easier to find on a map.

The cyclists chose to visit Appomattox Courthouse and see the place in which Grant and Lee met to end the Civil War. The actual signing of the surrender documents was done in the home of Willard McClean and the actual courthouse is nearby. These buildings were destroyed after the Civil War, but the National Park Service has rebuilt / restored them in this National Historic Site.

Greg, Mark, & Rolf with Honorio and his son

When we got to our campsite we met a very nice person, Honorio, and his family members.

The day was getting late, and the cyclists called John (today’s truck driver) for a ride from Appomattox to the campground.