No matter what trials we face, Christ never leaves us.

-Billy Graham

The nights rest was beyond comfortable and refreshing, if only I could have laid there just a little while longer. Only one more major mountain to climb for the whole trip and it is going to be a doozy leading up to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. I stuffed my face full of bacon, eggs, bagels, and cereal for breakfast and then waddled out to the trailer to prepare for the long day ahead. 

In the town of Vesuvius we mentally prepared ourselves for the upcoming battle by listening to a variety of songs ranging from rap and classic rock to “Man of Constant Sorrow” and “Carry on my Wayward Son”. Everyone participated in some crazy act to just get pumped from Jordan falling on his face in a handstand to my dancing with the bike. So we were all ready to tame this beast. 

I believe in all honesty it was the other way around, the beast tamed us, but anyhow we survived the climb and gave our final yelps at the top. The Blue Ridge Parkway was absolutely breathtaking with its many scenic overlooks and interesting geologic formations. For a bit we had to pause at one our SAG spot right off the Appalachian Trail near Reeds Gap to let a light rain pass through the area. Once cleared, we all rode together as a group down the mountain for a short media interview with a local TV station. Subway for lunch then on to the campus.  

We finished our ride for the day at the UVA Fiji House in Charlottesville, VA and were warmly welcomed by the Omicron brothers, who have actually been a chapter in existence since 1858. Their house was just right in accommodations and I enjoyed the visit throughly. Keep up guys in reaching excellence. Only a few more days left and the journey of a lifetime has finally concluded.