A new day, and a new hotel receptionist: this one bright, cheerful and pleasant - which proved to be a good indication of the day ahead. We filled up with gas (American for petrol) and after 88 quick miles, we reached the Skyline Drive, which took us through Shenandoah National Park. Forty miles of wonderful riding and beautiful scenery, were possibly bettered by the following 27 miles along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This was biking at its best, but as we travelled through the Blue Ridge mountains, we searched in vain for the lonesome pine!
All along these routes are overlooks (American for viewing points), with fabulous views. Wherever we stopped, we found ourselves striking up conversations with others searching for that pine tree, or just enjoying the scenery. Fellow bikers, vets (American for veterans), Gospel singers, writers, and many others, made this day extra special. We struck up a conversation with a couple, each on a Harley, celebrating their wedding anniversary. Wayne and Barbara recommended an inn for our night stop, the Sugar Tree Inn, and we duly rang ahead and booked it, even though it was 50 odd miles short of our planned destination. Barbara warned us that the road down to the inn was rather tricky, Wayne said it was not too bad, Stuart thought it was the scariest 10 minutes of his life, Mandy-Jane and Sylvia walked, and Craig was fine! Just as well he was OK, as we sent him out for pizza's, because the inn doesn't provide dinner on Sundays. Mandy-Jane and Sylvia (yes, someone did ask them today if they are sisters), sat on the porch in rocking chairs, drinking lemonade, and surveying the beautiful view across the valley to the mountains. After a stunning sunset, and about the 1000th photograph of the trip, we have retired to the parlour, to write the blog and plan tomorrow's route and accommodation.
169 miles today. A bientot. Photos to follow.