| | I really needed to get out on the bike yesterday. I hadn't ridden since the race last weekend, what with moving to a different place this week and all. It really had nothing to do with training, or any upcoming races, it was all about spending time doing what I love to do. We all need to have an escape from the pressures and mental grind of the day to day business of living. I had an excellent escape yesterday.
I started the ride from the parking lot of the Table Rock visitors center, like I do most times I ride in the area. Right at the base of all the mountains, big parking lot, restrooms (w/ air conditioning). Headed out at 1:30pm. It was a beautiful day, upper 80s, with very low humidity and a mild breeze. Took the round about way over to Caesars Head Mtn. Country roads that mainly follow the Saluda River, with a few good climbs and nice pavement. Then it was time to climb the mountain.
I wasn't really in a "type A" mood yesterday. I didn't go after the climb with full gusto, but the 7 miles it takes to get to the top are such that there is no such thing as taking it easy. With mild discomfort I made my way to the top. Once there I rewarded my efforts with the breath taking view from the top of Caesars Head. I've stood on that rock and looked out many times now, and am still humbled by the natural beauty of our world each time. I had a nice talk with a dad and his kids about the "funny pedals" on my bike, and about how much more fun it was gonna' be going back down than it was coming up. Then I was on my way to the next stop, to see something truly majestic.
Camp Greenville was another 7 or 8 miles up the road and into North Carolina. The three miles of road from the Caesars Head to the road the camp is on is a great stretch. Somewhat, but not all, down with mild twists and turns. Very flowing, almost like a nice mountain bike trail. The rest of the way to the camp was a mix of more flowing roads and some tight, steep switchbacks. One last turn, and I was there. Pretty Place, Camp Greenville.
I've seen some pretty cool views in my life, but the beauty my eyes were taking in at that moment brought me to my knees, literally. I was in a mountain top chapel, looking at a wooden cross with a background of mountains and valleys. To say I was moved wouldn't scratch the surface. It had been almost 2 hours to get there, but the sight of this place instantly made me forget about that.
After taking a few pictures, I turned around and headed back the way I came. The return trip was about 45 minutes faster, despite the 10mph headwind. My legs got a little weary in the final 20 minutes, but not bad for such a tough ride. I got back and ate a couple cold, S. Carolina peaches from my cooler-nothing could have tasted better at that moment. On the drive home, and at nearly every moment since, I've been replaying the tape in my mind. It was a majestic day.
 
 
pict 1, Don't recall seeing that kind of sign in MI :-p
pict 2, The Saluda River
pict 3, The view from Caesars Head
pict 4, Pretty Place Chapel, the view from the pews
pict 5, The view from the other side of the cross at Pretty Place
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| | Posted 7/3/2009 10:27 AM - 11 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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