Drove back up Avery Creek and spot number 2 was open. Homecoming. I have lived there longer than any place since July 9 when my house closed. Abandoned camp was cleared up except for townie bike that is locked to a tree. Fred told me that these campsites are the most popular because they are about 3 miles from town.
Plan is to ride a Bruce suggestion: Ride up to horse stables, climb to Buckhorn gap (52 mins from van), down to S Mills River trail to Squirrel Gap and turn around @ Horse Cove. Cold clear blue skies started the ride about 10:45. I CAMP IN A CREEK Bottom with high hills that block sun till maybe 8:30. The ground froze last night. My bike cover had ice blocks where the rain froze. Big grind up logging road to Buckhorn. There were several downhills on the road that had to be reclimbed on way to Gap. Tread frozen. Buckhorn is where Black Mtn crosses ( see previous blogs). Buckhornt & S Mills are old logging road beds w/ a ST down it. Shallow elevation change; just old road riding. Crossed river & picked up Squirrel Gap which is old ST hiking trail. Way more interesting & challenging. Skies have now darkened & snow flurries are falling. Its around freezing. I am wearing a wool long underwear top under my Pisgah Works wool jersey under a windbreaker. My heavy gloves, shorts, tights, insulated booties, & helmet cap. Nobody else out.
The ride was uphill about 5 miles. Sort of got warm. from Buckhorn back to van was mostly downhill with those short uphills that were down on way up for warmth generation. I still got deep cold.
Checked out beaver activity on creek @ horse stables. Saw Sam’s rig near Bennett’s Gap.
Back into laundromat for shower & wash. deep cold that hot shower water would chase away, but the hot water quit before I rinsed off. Clean but still deep cold. Snow flakes are now falling intermittently. Running late today.
Parked @ Dolly’s. Getting colder also. Snow flurries. During dinner sister Lynn engages me in telephone story telling for an enjoyable time.
Forecast wants less than 1″ snow. Road to & from XG is mostly flat. I hope no problem w/ snow. Got heater on high.