sunset and beyond

We did some serious mountain biking, everyday this week, including Thanksgiving Day. The most beautiful trails are in Montreat, a Presbyterian retreat. Montreat also serves as the gateway to the old toll road and trestle road to Mt. Mitchell. A week or so ago, I rode on snow-covered trails, an hour or so up a single-track trail until I got a glimpse of Mt. Mitchell in the distance. It was gorgeous. The sun was setting on the western range of mountains as I made my way back and the lights of Swannanoa Valley were beginning to twinkle below. It was remarkably beautiful, with the pinkish/orange glow over the mountaintops. I had to use my light, a handy NiteRider, to make my way back through the rhododendron canopied trail to the parking lot.