the bear

How cold? I've cycled in the 20s, but January daytime temperatures on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be in the 50s, and it's actually better for cycling in that the Parkway gets gated so that cyclists have the road to themselves.

It's extremely beautiful up there in the winter, probably the prettiest time of all to be on the ridges. I was there yesterday in the high elevations, and the clouds were so beautiful that I uttered a profound thanks to god for allowing me to live on this planet, even if only for a relatively brief time.

Two weeks ago, I was cycling down from Mt. Mitchell (need I remind you, the highest peak east of the Rockies?) when I encountered a black bear. He (or she) came bounding out of the woods, across the Parkway and down an escarpment . He never saw me, but it is significant that I saw him, a creature of immense beauty, probably tipping the scales at 200 to 300 pounds, galloping gracefully across the Parkway and moving me in a way that I did not expect. These things just take my breath away.