Moving On...

After a great night and a warm bed leaving Ktown was tough. I waited until 4:30 to leave town and was graciously escorted to the Asheville Hwy by T Gaines. We rode the greenway out of town and when the road turned into Asheville Hwy T bid me farewell and I rode off into the cold night. Cold, tired and hungry I stop by a grocery store for some food and decide to keep riding. I find a closed drive in food shop outside of Knoxville and fuel up. I wanted to make it Dandridge TN where you first catch up with the French Broad River. I figured once I made it to the river I would find a quiet place to hide out and set up camp. A few hours of riding later and I was pedaling through Dandridge around 10:00 p.m. I cruise over the river and start looking for side roads that may offer a hiding place (camping spot). I decide to try a particular road and after climbing the tallest hill I could find in the middle of nowhere I spy a sweet little piece of ground at the top of the ridge. I set up and watch as millions of stars shine bright overhead. It was now around 11:00 and I am finally off the bike for the night, set up shop and crash out. So far this was by far the best camping spot of the trip however, a few hours into my slumber I awoke to a dog barking very near my tent. He knows I am there and continues to bark all night. I am not moving and figure he would finally loose his voice but I woke up at least 4 times and the dog just kept going. He was apparently done when the sun came up and as usual I do the oatmeal / coffee thing and as I am packed up and ready to hit the road I had the pleasure of meeting the property owner who ask "are you lost" I tell him "no just enjoying the day" and with that I leave the surly old property owner to wonder what the hell I was doing and go about with his miserable day.

I hit the road to Newport. Nice rolling hills and I can see the mountains surrounding me as I ride East. A quick stop for lunch and I head towards Hot Springs, NC to end my day. The hills start to go from rolling hills to long climbs as the miles take a little longer to traverse. I make it to Hot Springs at 5 o'clock. This is a one blinking light town in the of the Mountains but that is perfect for me because all I can really think about or need is some time in the natural hot springs that the town is named for. I hit the springs and luckily for me tourist season is over. I get a private tub over looking the river and soak in natural mineral for an hour in the cool fresh mtn air while enjoying nips from a pint of Makers Mark. Let me tell you that you can find heaven on earth! Feeling better than I have felt in months I head to get some dinner at the Paddler's Pub. It is also the only pub or restaurant in town open this evening. A burger as big as my head and two Galic Ales and I am feeling way too good to try to find a campsite at night. However, I ride past the campground that sat 50 yards from the pub determined to make an adventure out of the night. I start riding towards Asheville which involes riding up a 3 mile long mtn road. Keep in mind that it is freezing cold and I am drunk. No sign of fire road or woods as the road is cut into the side of a mtn and the ground drops straight down after about 20 ft of shoulder. I see a small area where pines and shrubs make for a good hiding spot (camping site) and set up the bike by the edge of a cliff and tie off the rain fly so I am camouflaged from the road. I sit in the darkness and place my hand over my light each time a car passes so I would be kick out of camp by the local authorities. I noticed that I could not see any stars and sure enough an hour later the rains come. The rain fly and space blanket combo works well and keeps me dry as I sleep through the night with the heavy rain falling inches from my head. Good night indeed...

Asheville or bust. I wake up and head back down the hill. Over night a cold front moved through so it is at least 10 degrees cooler than it had been in the mornings. I freeze as I pack up wet gear and head to get coffee and breakfast. A quick stop off at the Hot Springs diner and I am once again making my way up the mountain towards Asheville. I find that this is only one of the many LONG climbs I would encounter on this day but I feel great and a tail winds lifts my sports and gives me that extra boost up and over several of the worst climbs. Around every corner awaits another great inspiring view as I pick up speed towards Asheville. I feel as my journey is giving me insight into the next chapter of my life and that all things are pulling me towards a new town and a new beginning. Signs are now coming at me from all directions that I need to make a move and do something I have wanted to do for almost 12 years, get to Asheville. As I am riding through a small town 20 miles from Asheville I see a train coming up next to me as I ride along the banks of the river, I look over as I am racing the train feeling on top of the world and what do I see? A train with a tag "MOVE" it was at that moment that all worries of what, when, how, a major change in you life is "suppose" to happen and I realized you just have to do it. When you stop getting hung up on the details the larger picture becomes clear. Kinda like "not seeing the forest for the trees" that you have heard a thousand times but this time I truly feel it and know that it is the right time, right place and I am in the right mindset to make it happen... Asheville here I come!