Blue Ridge Parkway: Susan's Day on Sunday

Day 2 - Susan

I really wish we could arrange these posts the way we want, but it's not possible. Oh well.----

My day Sunday started with a bang, when I tripped and fell in the motel room. I was in the room alone, and ended up slamming down on my knees really hard. I know other parts hit the floor, too, but not sure what! Anyway, worse than any pain was the irony of thinking that I would be the person on this trip with a knee injury! I soldiered through, and only feel a twinge in my knee occasionally.

Paul rode today, he gave you the stats, and my instructions were to wait half an hour and then catch up with him (in the car, of course, haha). Paul had already told me how far he thought he'd get, and I thought I knew what to expect. When I didn't catch up with him as quick as I thought I would, I started worrying he had pulled up on the side of the road and I had missed him or something, or even worse. (There's almost NEVER any cell phone signal here) When the road started climbing REALLY steep, I thought there was NO WAY he had ridden up that road. I was greatly relieved to finally turn a curve and see him up ahead - uninjured and still riding! I pulled over first safe place I found, and Paul was ready to stop his ride for the day.

We saw some beautiful views today. It was nice to have Katie here, and we leapfrogged our cars to provide good coverage for the riders. Paul and I were really glad we were close by when Mitch had the mechanical problem, and even gladder to find them already riding when we were returning with the tool box.

Having Henrik along this time makes everything better for Mitch, and I'm enjoying getting to know him. He is an amazingly strong rider, like Mitch, and I still marvel every time they come around a curve, riding UP the mountain towards where we are parked.

I'm posting pictures to show