We rode about 10 miles without our morning coffee. The citizens of Norfolk, though undoubtedly a charming group, take their early morning coffee behind closed doors. We could smell coffee brewing when we cycled down the main street, but nothing was open.
We rode a couple more miles and spied a Sunoco station -- salvation! Or not. "We have enough to worry about around here without worrying about coffee. Sorry."
So, we went around to the back of the building and plopped down to placate ourselves with granola bars and gatorade.
Then, from nowhere, Dawson popped up and asked whether we'd like coffee and bagels. We were gobsmacked. "Are you kidding! We'd love coffee!"
Dawson took us across the street to his family's factory, set us up with coffee, and chatted for awhile before heading back to work.
Dawson and his girlfriend just returned from a trip out west -- part of which was a cycling trip from Seattle to San Francisco. He asked her to marry him on their third day out.
As we were leaving, Dawson said, "Don't worry. People get friendlier as you go north." That's hard to imagine.
This picture captures a bit of Dawson's personality.