Day 4 - Little Switzerland to Asheville
The day started off with sunny skies, and for me, a doppio espresso at the Book and Bean in Little Switzerland. Yea! Jack warned us that the first twenty miles were uphill until the turnoff for Mt. Mitchell. We then left the Blue Ridge Highway headed up Mt. Mitchell - the highest point east of the Mississippi. We ate at the restaurant at the top which took a fair amount of time for fair food We all added a layer for the descent as the clouds were coming in.
After a short climb or two, the rest of the ride was a descent with essentially little need for brakes. Not technical but it clicked off the miles quickly. We met up at mile market 388 only to learn that the trailer hitch on the rented sag wagon broke. Thank goodness the safety chains held. With good scrambling by Larry and Russell, they found a place to repair while we waited at the night's B&B for our luggage to arrive.
Robert, the innkeeper, was terrific bringing out mixed nuts, dried fruits, mini-shredded wheats and water. A little bit later Markham (from our Swiss & French Alps trip) arrived with his friend Reb to join us on tomorrow's ride.
