Day Three - Fog and Mist
During breakfast we pooled our knowledge regarding the weather from TV and several internet sites. We then massaged it to determine a start time that would optimally find a hole in the rain that ideally would last the entire ride. A case of too much thinking applied to sketchy data.
The good news is that we either avoided the worst, or the forecast intensity never occurred. Instead we had mist and some very deep fog (see picture of overlook sign). Upon our arrival in Little Switzerland, Charles announced how much he enjoyed the foggy haze on the last ten miles. A case of the glass half full (but I haven't seen rain since last April in California).
Our ride was about 45 miles and 5,000 feet of climbing. As has been the pattern, the climbs and descents are consistent with a shorter period between them relative to Europe or California. Here the road meanders up and down such that you never go up or down for that long whereas at home you're either going up 1/2 to 1.5 hrs. and then zooming down a technical descent.
With the fog, the views were more compromised than yesterday. No misty clouds hugging the peaks. We did have our first of what will be several tunnels just before arriving in Little Switzerland where we're staying. In contrast to our stay in Blowing Rock which Jack described as a tourist town, he labeled Little Switzerland a hamlet.
It might be a hamlet but next to the Little Switzerland Café where we had lunch there was an espresso shop. I had begun to think that the guys talk about "dry county" meant no espresso so this was a welcome addition.
I've included a picture from the start of our trip and a couple of shops that Russell, Jack's son and our sag wagon driver took of us as well our our route.
