Last night while I was setting up my camp my neighbor came over to ask if I had everything that I needed. I told him that I did, and that I appreciated it, but I was also on the phone and couldn't give him my full attention. When I got up this morning I felt a little bad for not having talked to him the night before so I went over to say thanks. He said it was no problem and then asked if I wanted pancakes. I figured that I was either drooling while he was cooking, or he was just very friendly and wanted to share with a fellow traveler.
I was hungry, and a little tired of eating instant oatmeal for breakfast so I said "yes, of course I would like some pancakes." So as it went I had a wonderful breakfast with Richard and Melody, and they were both quite wonderful people. We got talking about all kinds of things, and one of them was a marriage workshop their church sponsors. A lot of the focus of the workshop is that the time we spend with our partner is all valuable, and therefore should be cherished. I took the chance to brag a little about Mandy again and tell them that the time I spent with her in New York was definitely some of the most cherished of the entire trip, and for that I am grateful.
Richard grew up in Kentucky and told me a story about their mailman when he was a kid. (Keep in mind here that Richard is far from elderly.) So, the mailman in his area was named Moses, and still delivered mail on horseback. Yes, Horseback! Evidently, Moses was one of the last two mail carriers in the country to do his job on a horse. The best part is that the horse knew the route so well that sometimes Moses would fall asleep on the horse and and the horse would stop at a fencepost and wait until Moses woke up and got the mail from the sack and then would start walking again. Richard even said that he had ridden the horse once for pleasure, and it had stopped at every fencepost on the route, just because that is what it knew to do. That would have been a sight to see.
After breakfast I took my time getting my things together and then wandered over to say goodbye and thank you again to Melody and Richard, and he turned to me and said, "If you've got a few minutes we're gonna have hot dogs if you want to join us."
"Well, a man's gotta eat," I replied and we had another meal together with more great conversation. What a wonderful surprise to have such a nice couple share their time and their food with me. Thanks, Melody and Richard!
So I was fed and on my way. The Blue Ridge was again beautiful and peaceful. I rode for about an hour and then stopped at Crabtree Falls for coffee and a snack, and that's where I met Fred:
Fred is what his owners like to call a "Highpoint Dog". Derek and Renee explained that in their off time they go "highpointing" where they hike the highest points in states and regions, and Fred goes with them. Even if his ears are longer than his legs, he's still managed to summit 13 of the highest points in the country. Way to go, Fred!
From Crabtree Falls down to Asheville, NC, I kept having this little daydream about of an interview with James Lipton where he asks me, "Nick, if heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?"
For today my answer is this, "Here are the keys to all the bikes in this garage, and welcome to North Carolina." This place is amazing!
And it keeps going like that in both directions for miles and miles. My bike hasn't been this happy with me since California. And on top of that I get to look at views like this:
For a place to stay I decided that I would go to Tipi Camp in Asheville, partially because they cater specifically to motorcycles, and partially because they converted an Airstream trailer to a bathhouse! I arrived and was greeted with a very warm reception by Jay and Lani, the owners. These two have a wonderful little spot to pitch a tent or stay in one of their tipis. It's just far enough out of town to be peaceful and not so far as to be inconvenient. Jay has even offered to take me out on some of the great roads nearby! What a great find. Thanks, Lani and Jay!
The meeting was the West Asheville Group and was just down the street. The topic was a little bit about going places we think maybe we shouldn't, and partially about our thinking getting us in trouble. It was a great meeting, and a wonderful group of folks. Thanks, West Asheville Group!
The night ended with some time around the campfire with Lani, Jay, and their neighbor, Sam. There is something very peaceful about staring into a campfire, and swapping stories with people. It was a terrific way to end the day.
