Start - 17541 miles@ 6:20 am
End - 18032 miles@ 7:20 pm
3G miles today- 491
Total 3G miles- 491
Got out of the house and on the road right at 6:20am. Cold clear morning and crowded with lots of angry, hurried, commuters and plenty of trucks. The beginning of a trip is always a little tough, but with Atlanta morning rush to contend with, all I could think about was that I can't get north fast enough.
Began seeing the first hints of light at about 6:45 as I cruised up I-85 with traffic beginning to thin. Turned up I-985 and then up 23 where I caught the first rays of the sun as I passed the Tullulah Gorge. Shortly after I passed a bank sign that showed the temp at 36F. Thank goodness for heated grips and my heated vest.
Stopped in Sylvia, NC for a well deserved hot cup of coffee and some breakfast at Hooper's which I would highly recommend. Great food and nice folks. Sat at a table next to Tracy and Jennifer whom I said hello to. Tracy had a knit cap on and Jennifer had an a breast cancer awareness shirt on. Since my Mom went through chemotherapy, I knew Tracy was in the middle of her treatments and felt compelled to at least say something. They were great and Tracy was indeed in Chemo with just 2 treatments remaining, but had a good prognosis. 
By 3pm I had made it to Mountain City, TN and looked for a local place to get a bite and hydrate, but had to settle for McDonald's and a medium fry and sweet tea. 
Leaving Mountain City I took Rt. 209 into VA, where I stopped to get a photo of the Welcome to Virginia. I have to admit that when I got into Virginia, it felt like home. Miss this state. For some treason it seems just a bit greener. Great road by the way 209, as was Hwy 58. But whoa, don't take Rt. 321. Ugh, small town after small town, VERY slow going. Decided to press today figuring I'll have an easier time tomorrow. I have to get to Orrtanna, PA by 5pm.
Finally got to Roanoke, VA and pulled into the same hotel I stayed in when I came South just over 2 years ago when I bought the bike in NJ. Walked into the lobby at exactly 7:20pm, making my day 13 hours, 491miles, almost all back roads. Rode through some amazing country roads - 209 (NC, VA), 58 (VA), 211 (VA). Just after getting into VA there had to have been at least 30 miles of Christmas Tree farms, not something I expected.
Got a steak at Outback, which I wolfed down, guess I was a bit hungry. Had a waitress who reminded me of my good friend Jennifer Zoner. I should write to say hi. Haven't spoken to her in quite a while.
In bed by 10pm. Plan to get on the road tomorrow by about 8am.
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