5 Asheville, NC to Mount Mitchell State Park 50 miles (with market stops)

Charlotte Street Producers Market

$15 - and days later I still have bread and veggies leftover

UNC Asheville Tailgate Market

$8 on Bison Bacon!

My first epic overlook on the parkway.

This guy Bob rode for a few miles with me. He kept me moving at a quick pace and I was witness to how much my physical fitness had developed over the last few months as I was able to hold a conversation while pedaling uphill. Bob travels for work but packs himself a foldup bicycle so that he can explore and find uniqueness in cities he frequents unlike most other business travelers I have met who take a cab to the airport to the hotel to a cab to a restaraunt to a meeting to a cab to the hotel to the airport to a cab and back home. No wonder people don't like traveling for work, unlike Bob, they see the same goddamn Americana bullshit whether they are in Tuscon or Toledo.

This crack kept cars off the road for 22 miles.

Depressing historical signage.

Marry me!

 ...and they told me in Asheville there was no water on the Parkway.

 There is a bear in this picture whether you believe it or not. 

 I found sanctuary from the rain here. I climbed four miles with no idea what would be at the top - a picnic table graveyard and this dry shelter.

 A geologist's wet dream...

 There were no falls.. just fog.

 The best people on Mt. Mitchell - the drunk, the anarchist, and the hippy! I fell in love with all of them immediately and was invited to share their campsite, fire, beef stew from the dutch oven, a long conversations. I hope to see them on the Buffalo River in April...

 BISON BACON