From Charleston to Asheville - Still Homeward Bound

From Janie:

 

Tuesday, November 13 and Wednesday, November 14.  Last of four posts going up today.

 

After a much needed rest day in Charleston, we were ready to start our journey home.  One last ride in the South, however.  There was a Rotary meeting, across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, in Mt. Pleasant. 

 

The walking guide to Charleston told us there was a wide bicycle and pedestrian path over the 2.5 mile span of the bridge.  So, of course, we rode to Rotary!

 

Janie, climbing the east side of the Ravenel Bridge, toward Charleston,

after a Rotary meeting in Mt. Pleasant.

 

Cruise ship, seen from the top of the Ravenel Bridge.

Naval ship, from the top of the Ravenel Bridge.

Jody and the bikes, on the Ravenel Bridge.

Janie and the bikes, on the top of the bridge.

Jody and the bikes, on the top of the bridge.

Looking toward Charleston, over a mile in the distance.

 

Janie, giving a thumbs up, coming down the bridge.

 

Jody put the bikes on The Little Darkness, and we headed for Asheville NC.

Jody, at yet another border crossing!

 

I have a dear friend who lives in Winston-Salem NC.  On Tuesday, Deb drove the two or so hours from Winston-Salem to Asheville, just to see us and celebrate with us!  And celebrate we did!

 

Photos from Wednesday, November 14:

Janie and Deb, by The Little Darkness.

Note we're wearing coats!

 

After a leisurely brunch with Deb - shout out here to THC, a/k/a Tupelo Honey Cafe, for their great sweet potato pancakes - we drove back to the Blue Ridge Parkway, intending to ride 10-30 miles.  Part of the Parkway is closed for repairs.  We started at the Folk Art Center, thinking to ride up the road to the closure.

The Flying Fish, on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

Little did we know just how 'up' the road would be.  Turned out to be too steep for tired, cold legs.  At least for this trip.  We rode up a little under a mile, to where the road really pitched up, then rode back down toward the Visitors Center.  Put the bikes back on The Little Darkness, and drove up, up, up the road, into the Smoky Mountains.  Saw a few cyclists on the road, braving both the chill and the hills.  Not for us.  Not today.

 

The Great Smoky Mountains.

 

It's much chillier here in North Carolina.  Below freezing overnight.  In the mid-forties this afternoon.  Not too bad in the sunshine, but colder than we've been since . . . oh, Kansas, I think.  We're headed into colder weather as we drive north through Tennessee, Kentucky,Indiana, Illinois and into Iowa.  We;re not excited about the approach of winter.  We are happy to be headed home.

 

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.
      ~Edith Sitwell