Peaks of Otter my first predetermined destination: Task complete!

Peaks of Otter, where my friend Katie is a ranger is on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, but not on the TransAm, so I did some improv and dtoured. I found this great route that avoided a huge elevation gain... Unfortunately, 2miles from my destination was an in inconquerably steep climb. Exhausted, I took lunch, I sat and meditated, I unplugged my odometer and ultimately I walked the bike. Oh well, at least no one offered me a lift, I may have taken it. At the top I found Katie at her Park service digs and spent... Maybe the next hour chatting on the steps while recovering.

Wow, what great hosts she and her roommates are. Stars, and swimming, movies and homemade meals. It was the perfect day off and totally fun! The day I left, Katie had a kids fishing program so I finally got to see her in uniform; you can too! She'll through October and is totally wort.

After I left her roommate Kris raced out miles, back tracking over all possible routes to return my forgotten towel. They ARE important!

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Travel magic

I finish the last 60miles of skyline drive, it's getting late and the next place I know to camp at is farther than I want. My phone is out for taking my triumphant photo... And it rings. What luck! With it packed, while I'm riding, I never hear it. Habitat Philadelphia's Cassie is calling. She asks me if I visited the "Afton cookie lady?" and I'm clueless. Apparently, somewhere near the Blue Ridge Pkwy a bicyclist enthusiast invites TransAm-ers into her home for cookies, food, shower and a place to eat. More miraculously, Afton is a mere 2miles from my spot. I'm about to hook into the TransAm network.
Since 1976, June has been inviting thirsty and weary bikers into her 2nd home; now called the bike house it is covered wall to wall in post cards, pictures and paraphenalia left by guests. June and Steve, a biker coming from west, chatted on the porch.
But man, this magical place was that much more magical b/c of how I ended up there. How'd Cassie know the perfect time to be calling?

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