It was still drizzling as we ate breakfast, inside the truck. We drove to the front of the campground to check the radar map with the laptop. Green blobs were scattered about and it was hard to guess if we would encounter precipitation on the route we planned last night. With rain jackets and warm clothes we drove to Valle Crucis, the start of the Beech Ball loop. On the 20 minute drive we had the windshield wipers running more often than not.
Oatmeal and eggs eaten in a truck, watching the rain drizzle.
In Valle Crucis we found the parking lot for their community park, after a missed turn of course. Donning wool jerseys, tights, and rain jackets we headed west out of Valle Crucis under questionable skies. It was not raining as we climbed and climbed westward, away from town.
Just prior to heading out on today's ride.
After what must have been 20 or 30 minutes of climbing we reached the top of a pass and I was way too warm. Off came a sweaty rain jacket and thankfully it never came back out the rest of the ride.
Ryan starting the climb out of Banner Elk.
Further west we passed through Banner Elk, a nice little town, and began a loop around Beech Mountain. We gained elevation quickly and ended up on a higher elevation road riding around a shoulder of the mountain. The views were awesome and the sun lit up the surrounding valleys and mountains. As we continued along this section of road a dog ran out to join us, and I mean really, he ran out to join us. For at least half a mile he ran along with us, just to our side. Finally, as we rounded a corner and met a woman at her mailbox, the dog broke formation and set down in a yard as we pedaled away. He was good company.
This is not the dog that ran with us, rather this little guy
came out to greet us during a picture stop. He and Ryan connected.
Looping through Bethel, we made our way back to Valle Crucis. The skies were beautiful and rain was never a consideration. Back to the truck, we enjoyed a very lazy post ride lunch on the tail gate. A can of V8 was our post ride drink the past couple days. Ryan debated whether he would normally vegetable juice, or was it the setting that made it appealing?
The bikes, done with their job for today.
Before saying good bye to Valle Crucis we stopped at Mast General Store for a couple souveniers. A short drive later we were back to camp. Tonight’s objective was BBQ for dinner. I called Boone Bike and asked for a recommendation on where to go, and they pointed us to Sledgehammer Charlie’s in Blowing Rock.
It was short drive to Blowing Rock, about eight miles south of Boone. We ordered up some pulled pork and brisket with smoked corn, seasoned fries, and vegetable skewer. The food was good but did not match our BBQ experience with 12 Bones in Asheville last trip. But, there was plenty to eat and we walked away full and satisfied.
Sledgehammer Charlie's - lots to eat.
While in Blowing Rock we made a stop at the “fancy gas station”. The building had a nice brick exterior and gas pumps out front, not completely unexpected. But inside was a huge wine display, complete with $189 bottles of Dom Perignon. We browsed around the store, looking at gourmet snacks and eclectic hot sauces. I stumbled upon a selection of Uncle Mike’s Beef Jerky, made in Apple Creek, OH, complete with an Amish buggy pictured on the package. Funny.
As we pulled back into the campground we stopped to pickup the Wi-Fi signal and check the weather. Once again the forecast included precipitation tomorrow, pretty much the same forecast as today. We figured there were answered prayers this morning so we will pray for the same tomorrow.
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