Ben stopped for lunch at the Peaks of Otter Lodge and gorged on food to get him on down the road. But, he really liked the location and it wasn't raining! So he decided to plunk down the money to stay overnight, leaving two 65 mile days to get to Meadows of Dan by Saturday afternoon. When he found out that the price for the room did not include phone, internet, or TV, he got his money back and rode on!!! He told me that he had a huge climb this morning and had 25 more miles to go from Peaks of Otter to get to Roanoke River campground. That was at 2 PM so I am sure he got there in plenty of time to cook and camp. He is ready for a day off, though, as there is a huge amount of climbing on the Parkway. He said that he had some 8, 9, and 10% grades and was happy to have 5%. The climb was 13 miles! That is as long as the climb to the top of S. Holston Mt, a regular ride for us, but it is mostly 5, 6, and 7% grades.
He said that he had seen several thru-hikers and talked with them. It makes him want to get back on the trail and finish what we started...section hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. He has over 1000 miles and I have just under 1000 miles. I guess we will do that after we ride the Northern Tier, self-supported. Dreams.
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