6 hrs, 12.6 kms

Back in 2008, when "exploring a town" meant parking my car and walking a few blocks, I made a quick stop in Winchester . I was impressed by its classiness--and finding a pedestrian only street (a rarity in America) was a pleasant surprise.

Now, of course, I'm going to take my time exploring the town and getting more of a feel for its culture. Here are some of my observations...

I notice that the older people speak with a Southern accent, but the young people don't. I wonder if it's a subconscious way of stating their identity. Will the young people start speaking with a Southern accent as the grow older as a way of saying "I'm from the South and I'm proud of it" or will this accent die out?

There are African Americans here--but not that many... and I spot only one bi-racial couple... definitely not the same feel as Martinsburg or Hagerstown. There is a growing Latino population--in fact, Winchester does have more of a cosmopolitan feel. Along the pedestrian street you'll pass a Mexican, Thai, British, Jamaican and Japanese restaurants--most playing their traditional music . All lot of folks ambling about--well dressed, classy folk...

A nice combination o Southern elegance and cultural open-mindedness--and at the end of the street is one of the most beautiful public libraries I've seen--a neo-classical pillared entrance with a cathedral like dome--and an elegant interior as well... except for a couple of fellas who come here to sleep!

I continue on... down a shady street of elegant houses, on to the public high school--another award winner... certainly the grandest public high school I've seen in America! With its tower and wide pillared entrance, it feels more like a state capital than a public school. In the front a group of young people--white and black are playing frisbee football together...

On south, I reach an industrial area. Unlike around Chambersburg where the industrial areas mostly consist of warehouses where things manufactured overseas are stored, here it seems they actually make stuff .

"What kind of guitar is that?" A very common conversation starter I've heard along this hike.

"What kind of music do you play? Would you play for a party or something? Do you have a business card?" Not often people get this excited over seeing someone with a guitar. I give him my web blog address.

"Do you play?" I ask

"I took a lesson one time and the teacher told me 'don't waste your parent's money--you'll never learn'. But I do sing karaoke!"

It's about lunchtime, and today I've planned ahead. I've placed my bicycle partway down the road so I can backtrack to town and get my favorite travel meal here in America: all you can eat Chinese buffet. And this one is an absolute feast.