Third day is a charm, I finally got onto the Blue Ridge Parkway! I got on in Cherokee, North Carolina and rode to Asheville, North Carolina. Parts of this just opened this week. Another perfect day to see for miles. The temperatures we a little chilly, only hitting the mid 50’s. I had about a half a tank of gas, which was enough to make it to Asheville, but I was drawn to go get gas. I took the next exit and headed down the mountain with sharp twist and turns all the way. There were absolutely no side roads, driveways or anything all the way. Was beginning to wonder if I shouldn’t have left the parkway. Finally I started seeing a couple of houses, then there was some road construction going on to a bridge. Around the corner and I see a small store with two gas pumps out front. I stop, and go inside to pay as they only do cash. I use the bathroom and bought some water too. I got talking to the couple who own the store about how décolleté the road from the parkway was, they said the population in Transylvania County is only 600! I mentioned that a couple was at one of the lookout spots sitting and enjoying the views. They said they go up to the parkway and watch sunset and star gaze – how cool is that!
In that stretch of the parkway I went through a bunch of tunnels. When I knew there wasn’t anyone else behind me, I got a couple neat pictures!
By the afternoon the wind was picking up and it felt a lot cooler. All in all another fantastic day riding. I didn’t get that many miles in, as I was stopping and getting off my bike to take pictures. I drove into almost every single lookout spot to see what the views were. Just before I got off the parkway a red cardinal flew right in front of me. It’s interesting, I had never seen a cardinal before, and now I’ve seen them almost weekly since February. Long day, I was very tired by the time I checked into my hotel for the night.
Love and Light to you all!
MyIronHorseJourney 