I slept like a bear last night after my meditation session at the Dillsboro Inn. I stayed up late working on my post and doing research on the Cuyamungue meditation method. I set my alarm for 8 am to get out early. I must have turned it off.
DOH!
I woke up this morning at 9:30am and scrambled out of bed. I had told the owner of the B&B in the next city, Bryson City, that I would be there late in the afternoon. For some reason, I thought I had missed something by sleeping late.
Before I left Sapphire on Tuesday, I had gone over my bike and tweaked all the gears, brakes, and made all the necessarry adjustments I thought were needed.
Headed into Dillsboro Tuesday, I still thought something was not quite right. On both inclines and declines the bike seemed sluggish. I was beside myself on what was the problem.
Before I got to the Dillsboro Inn on Tuesday, I had stopped at a gas station in Sylva to get directions. When I came out, I looked at every single nuance of the bike that may cause a drag.
As I was squating down, looking at the back gears, my eyes passed over the rear tire. Right in front of my face was the arrow on the tire that shows you which way it’s supposed to be turning. I am embarrassed to admit this but…. I’m pretty sure you can guess which way the arrow was pointing. I shook my head in disgust and then looked at the front tire. Same!
I’ve ridden my bike more miles than most teenagers have driven a car and changed more bike tires than most adults will change any kind of tire for their entire life.
Homer Simpson would be proud. I had been riding since Charlotte like this, when I last rotated the tires.
I fixed that this morning.
Morning Activities
After I sorted that out (double checking this time), I walked over to the river and saw a herd of men wading through the water with a small boat between them. All of them were wearing waders. It’s cold in that water. Apparently, they were part of the parks service and they were counting fish.
What?
How do you count……. Stop there. I have no idea.
What’s weird is, there was a large generator in the boat and they were scoopng up equally large fish from the river. The way they were going about it, almost looked as if the fish were paralyzed by whatever was hooked up to that generator. Got me?
Last night, before we had our meditation, there was a group of scientists by the front of the driveway counting bats that flew out from the bat houses T.J. had put up. Say what you will about bats but they are excellent mosquito repellants.
Nature almost swallows you in Dillsboro AND it’s Aweome!
Christmas in May at the Dillsboro Inn
After I sorted everything out, I said my goodbyes. T.J. gave me a pair of sunglasses to replace the ones I had busted the day before. One of the guests left them there and they were a perfect fit for me.
Terry gave me a little bag to hang around my neck she had bought in India, just big enough to hold credit cards and cash. I put a polished rock she gave me inside and then T.J. gave me a necklace he wore around his neck that is supposed to help channel communication skills. I hope that helps because most of the time I talk like a bumbling idiot.
To Bryson City
With what felt like new tires, I headed on my way. I took highway 74 to Bryson City. There are a few hills on the way from Dillsboro, but nothing too bad. I called when I got to town and Mercedith Bacon, the owner of the West Oak Cabins, B&B, told me I was in room 4. The door was unlocked and the keys inside. The West Oak is a really keen little place.
This is a must stay for couples coming to the area.
They Knew I Was Coming
Check out the decorative piece beside my shower. I can’t count how many times I would have loved to have this little jewel beside a shower on the road.
Tonight, I got a washer/dryer! Boo Yah!
Tennessee. Here I come!
I head to Cherokee on Friday and over the Great Smoky Mountains into Tennessee, unless I find a place to stay tomorrow in Cherokee. I think it would be cool to stay there for at least a day. If not, I’m up and over!
Total Miles Today= 16