OK, I think that I'll start with this adventure rider that stopped by to talk while I was waiting for Jonathan near the start of the Old Leicester Highway in Asheville. Now this ain't no run-of-the-mill likkercycle - it's loaded with farkles.

Lessee here... there's a sissy bar for iron butt rides, panniers for camping gear and a few bottles of MD20/20, upswept exhaust to improve river ford performance, a bash plate/front fender that serves double duty as a cattle catcher, and be sure to note the Flying Lady mounted on the fender - could you pass the Grey Poupon, please? There is also a roomy hidden storage area beneath the seat. Jake told us that he might have to remove the sign in order to install some dual headlights that were currently stashed beneath the seat. I told him that he really should keep the sign, even if it has to be re-located.
I like this! The guy has really put a bunch of time into the scooter's construction and it runs like a scalded dog. I wish him the very best - like they say, you've gotta ride your own ride. Rock on!

The Flying Lady - and disc brakes.

We took the Old Leicester Highway over to Leicester and then followed Hwy. 63 across Doggett Mtn. to Spring Creek. I often stop at the little diner in the store at Trust for chow, but this time, I decided that we could check out Grits, an old schoolhouse that has been converted into a shop and diner. It's the old Spring Creek school, and the inside of the diner is decorated in full school decor, including cheerleader uniforms and varsity jackets hanging on the walls. There are also a lot of photos of the students from way back in the 50s and 60s. It's an interesting place, and the food isn't bad either.
It's been about 39 years since I got out of high school and I still get a gloomy feeling looking at the 'institution-like' old school. On beautiful spring days like this one, it sometimes seemed that I was being held captive during my school daze.

Got Grits???

It warmed up fast - when I left home this morning, I was wearing so many layers that I could barely fasten my jacket. By the time we passed through Hot Springs and hit the Paint Rock road along the French Broad River, it had gotten so warm that we shed the liners in our jackets. This is a beautiful ride on a spring day alongside a large river through a scenic valley. The road turns to dirt a few miles after leaving Hot Springs.

Jonathan rides the dirt at Paint Rock, a location named for markings on rock cliffs that resemble pictographs. About 1/4 mile further on, the road turns uphill and away from the river.

The road past Paint Rock is a real treat. Very narrow, with grass growing between the two tracks. It's rattlesnake heaven, with a lot of broken rocky ledges and sunny, brushy hillsides. I highly recommend this ride.

Lone Pine Gap and the Paint Mountain trailhead at the top of the mountain between the French Broad River and Highway 107. Once the hill is crested, views of the farm land in the valley below open up.

North side of Lone Pine Gap.

Old barn bythe Paint Rock Forest Service road.

A little fixer-upper by Paint Rock Road.

A cabin door framed by an ancient oak.

Old home near the end of Paint Rock road.