Wednesday, July 1st – Concord, NC to Spruce Pine, NC

Our destination first thing Wednesday morning was the home of Ryan’s grandmother Irene, and her daughter Mary Ann, in Concord, NC, where we were to unload our bikes and prepare for departure. These sweethearts treated us like royalty, and made it VERY difficult to leave! Two more thoughtful, beautiful ladies you could not find.

But leave we must…

After saying our goodbyes, we departed Concord to pick up the Trans America Trail – or “TAT”, as it is referred to – about 10 miles north.

Right out of the gate, were treated to some of the nicest weather and most spectacular scenery one could hope to ask for. Add to that countless miles of winding dirt roads, climbing through the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it made for a spectacular start and a day to remember!

With more than 150 miles in our rearview mirrors, we arrived in Spruce Pine, NC where we laid our heads for the evening – a little sore, more than a bit tired, but very, very happy. It was a GREAT start.