Day 17 - Lake Lure, NC to Home 

342 Miles
MISSION COMPLETE!!! 
6932 miles total!!

As said above, MISSION COMPLETE!!  49 of 50 states ridden and we made it home safely, not too much worse for wear!  We could have shaved an hour off by taking 74 all the way across, but (1st) what's the fun in that and (2nd) that would have meant Charlotte and Monroe.  NOOOO!!!!!  Anyway, we had a leisurely ride back after a slightly hair-raising arrival and departure.

We stayed at a B&B last night and upon arrival we found the place about 150 yards up a steep concrete then gravel driveway.  And I do mean steep!  We were about 20 yards up (read as already committed with a bike and trailer) when all of a sudden it turned to gravel.  The dotted line is approximately where that happened.  Then, near the top the driveway took a fairly hard right turn to get to the top.

This is a snapshot off Google Maps.  When we went to supper last night (right at dusk) Denise walked down the hill.  This morning, she rode down with me.  I guess since I made it safely to the bottom the first time she figured I could make it down again.  Oh, and when we got back last night it was raining when we went up the hill the second time.
 
Worth mentioning at this point, rain.  We so lucked out.  With the exception of simply seeing rain in the distance a number of times along the ride, last night was the only time in 17 days that we actually had to deal with it.  We consider that something of a miracle.  Then again, there was a fair amount of praying throughout.

 This was the B&B we stayed at.

 Once on the road this morning we made our way to Shelby, NC and this was only the second time I've been to Shelby (out of ~6) when it did not rain on me.  From Shelby, we cut down across South Carolina to bypass Charlotte.  The ride was pretty, but not a lot of variations in the scenery.

We did see two things that were cool.  First, we passed by what is believed to be the oldest cotton press still in existence.

Then, we went by Darlinton Speedway.  Even the pictures look fast!

Finally we were passing through Wilmington, NC and at that moment knew we were almost home.

Interestingly enough, when we got home we saw some of the prettiest flowers on the ride; which had been neglected for over two weeks.  (Denise knows her hardy plants!)  We even saw a welcoming face!

I'll do a wrap-up posting in a couple days, but tomorrow it's back to work.  Just enough time to shower for the evening.  G'night.

*Route total updated to add the final day. 6932 miles total.

Day 16 - Cleveland, TN to Lake Lure, NC 

289 Miles

Today was back to why we ride.  289 miles of curvy, back-country roads.  I stitched together several really good rides and we made a full day of it.

Out of Cleveland we headed straight into the Smokey Mountains.  We shot down 64 for a short bit and then left the main roads almost entirely.

Denise got some great imagery of both why they call it the Smokey Mountains and the first look at this year's changing of the leaves.

Followed by awesome scenes of red, yellow and orange:

Even some of the planted variety:

Did I mention we had a few curves?

We rode along by some really pretty rivers and creeks.

Had a stop at Deals Gap (start of the Tail of the Dragon):

And finally closed it out with a ride down the Blue Ridge Parkway where we stitched our ride from one tunnel to another.  "Watch out for the bikes!"

All in all, it was a terrific day.  Today was the last day of the trip, with the exception of the final ride from Lake Lure to home tomorrow.  That doesn't count because it's merely a formality ride. 

I know Denise will be happy to be back, but I could use a few more days on the road.  Maybe next time.