First of all an apology. . . . to the hordes of people who follow my blog: I hope that both of you can forgive me for neglecting to post daily. Actually, I did not neglect this. I really tried both nights we were out. I failed for a couple of reasons. 1. Evenings after a biking day is a free-for-all which takes place in adjoining motel rooms. Snacks are consumed, stories shared, wine imbibed and then dinner is sought. . .usually after 8:00. Upon returning from said dinner, more wine is imbibed, more stories shared and finally the collapse into oblivion. 2. When I did find time and quiet to try to blog, I struggled mightily trying to get the pictures to post. Still haven't figured it out. So I was frustrated and frankly. . . poopy.
So a summary will have to suffice. This was a great trip. Perfect weather was predicted for this time up to a day before we left and then that all changed. The bikers had the option of bailing on the whole trip based on the weather forecast, but decided to give it a shot anyway. And so we did.
Day 1 - Monday. . we left around 8:00 in the morning and drove until noonish to the starting point right around the North Carolina border. This was the starting point because that is where the girls stopped last year. Sandy and I dropped them off (I have a great picture of the 4 of them just before they took off. . . .you'll have to use your imagination) and we headed south on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Jackie's truck and my car. The 4 Biker Babes: Jackie, Mary Dudley, Beth and Annie took off with gusto as well. The goal for the day was to ride approximately 32 miles to Blowing Rock, NC. where our pre-arranged rooms awaited us Sandy and I, who were dubbed the "sherpants" for the trip, drove to the inn and unpacked all the luggage into the two rooms. Then we headed into the little town of Blowing Rock for a lovely lunch. Meanwhile, back on the Parkway, the bikers were downing the peanut butter sandwiches they had packed. Sandy and I had time to go to the actual Blowing Rock and check it out. Again. . . I have great pictures. It is a rock formation which is interesting but underwhelming. Still it was a fun event. In the end there was little rain and the bikers arrived close to the exit to Blowing Rock around 6:00 where we were waiting for them. They were tired for sure, but happy. It is really a challenge to negotiate the ups and downs of the parkway on a bike. I'm not sure how (or why) they do it, but I'm pretty impressed.
Day 2 arrived wet and foggy. We took our time with breakfast and hoped for the best. Eventually they decided to try leg #2 of the trip from Blowing Rock to Little Switzerland. . . a distance of about 42 miles. Sandy and I, after seeing them off, spent some time in Boone, NC where we had lunch. Then we drove to Grandfather Mountain where we drove up to the top. Sandy managed to make it across the mile high swinging bridge. I managed to walk about half way across and then back up to the start. Heights aren't my thing. And Sandy's neither. Across that spans you could tell she was less than enthusiastic about coming back, but what choice did she have? Precisely why I chickened out. Grandfather Mountain is a great place to visit and we took a great half mile hike to the bridge. It was pretty much straight up on rocks, and then we walked it back down. So we did get some exercise on day 2, but nothing to compare with the bikers. Sandy and I got to the inn at Little Switzerland an hour in advance of the team. We unloaded all the bags into the rooms. They arrived sweaty, tired and happy and the after ride party commenced.
This morning it was pouring rain, so we bagged the rest of the trip. Little Switzerland is where we will all start next year. After packing up, Sandy and I left ahead of them to come home. We were nearly to Asheville, NC so the ride home was not short. We stopped in Mt. Airy for lunch. I always have wanted to stop and see "Mayberry", the birth place of Andy Griffith and model for Mt. Pilot in the Andy Griffith Show. Apparently Thelma Lou still lives there. They were getting ready for their big Mayberry Reunion weekend coming up in two days. We ate lunch at "Barney's Cafe". Of course we ordered the $5.00 special: chicken and dumplings, deviled eggs and spiced apples. Just like Aunt Bea used to make, I'm sure. Then we actually indulged in some shopping at several really great shops on the main street. A consignment shop yielded an outfit and another blouse for me, and a couple of outfits for Sandy. Then in another shop I found a pair of the very New Balance shoes that I wear for working out, in my size (the only pair left) marked down from $106 to $29.99. This is a sweet deal! We loved Mayberry and didn't leave until almost 4:00. We were unloading the girls' stuff at Jackie's by 7:30. I was back at Jean's by 8:30.
It was a great two days and I have nothing but admiration to these friends of mine who train for months and then accomplish this feat of athleticism and endurance. I wish I could say it made me determined to join them on a bike next year. . . but nothing could be farther from the truth.
It was great traveling with Sandy and creating adventures. The Blue Ridge Parkway is truly a gift of nature and it was a joy to be on those segments of that beautiful thoroughfare. I look forward to traveling and being a "sherpant" for these four bitchin' biker babes again next year!
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