Solo Trip to Ashville, NC 9-1-10 return trip 9-6-10

I left at 6:45 am, heading south through London, Mt Sterling took 207 to Chillicothe and then 23 and 104, I had alot of  fog in southern OH. Once I got into Kentucky I got off of the 4 lane road and onto more back roads, Rt.7.  They were beautiful and fun, then I came to a road block which had a turn off to the left but it was so small and crossed a single laned covered bridge, seemed like a lane more then a road.  I stopped, no signs directing for a detour. 

 A farmer came along in his truck and instructed me which way to go.   I followed him and he led me out of it.   I wish I had got off my bike and took pictures, it was like another world.  I found a picture of the bridge on google, it is called Bennett Mill Covered Bridge.  So I get back on Rt. 7 and sure enough again it was closed with no detour  signs.  I turned left but did not know where that would take me so I turned around and got back on 7 thinking that my next turn may be before the block.  Well sure enough there was a little gas station and sure enough there was my farmer.  We laughed and he told me how to get back on  23.  I stayed on 23 until I got to Big Stone Gap, got off for gas and a break, bought some caffine and headed to a Jefferson National State park. Theses pictures are where I ate my lunch.

I took 23 the rest of the way until I got to Kingsport and  wanted some more back roads. I stopped at a gas station and 4 different people came up to talk with me. They all asked where I was from and were amazed that I came that far alone.  One women use to ride and taught herself how to ride by reading library books.  Another old guy that was toothless talked with me for awhile.  And then a sweet older lady who said her husband rides and she rides with him a bit, was picking up her cigarettes.  And then a younger man came along and talked awhile and helped me with directions.  They all complemented me on my bike and all had sweet southern accents.  I really enjoyed that stop, was the friendliest gas station, on the corner of 23 and 224.  I took 224 and then 93 was a great curvy, hilly country road.
So I finally get to my parents home around 5:45 and  because I had driven the steep gravel drive last year I thought I could do it again but I did not know about the new gravel put on in Dec., OH MY.  So I get half way up and I stop, my tires spin. I grip the brake and gather myself and try again.  I go a little ways and my tires spin again.  I freeze squeezing the   clutch and the brake, I think what do I do now I try again and I start to go backwards and then I almost dropped it. Oh the images of my Shad sliding down the hill on his tank.  I use every muscle and keep it up.  Ok now my legs are rubber, I can't move so I lay on the horn.  My dad comes up on the mower from the barn and my brother comes down from the house. Oh what a relief to have help, my brother climbs on as soon as I climb off  and my dad and I help him turn around and he walks it back down to the barn and that is where it stays until it is time  to come home.
My ride home was nice I rode 23 most of the way home.  Katie, Laban, Renee, and the girls where behind me all the way even thou we did not travel together.  They never did catch up with me except when we meet for lunch, was nice they could call me as I was driving with my blue tooth Scala rider set.  I got home around 7:00 they came in about 1/2 hr. later.
Nice trip!!!!