A bug in my ear

Hello from Atlanta.

I am at the Porter Beer Bar, ranked by Bear Advocate as the #1 craft beer pub in Atlanta. I am sitting at the bar, eating the Chickpea Falafel and sipping the Creature Comforts Teopicália ( it's amazing), a high hop, slightly fruit flavored IPA brewed in Athens, GA. Often when I am in a different city, I search for a craft beer place and go there for dinner. I'm so glad I found this place. Small, intimate, many dozens of beer choices, knowledgable bartenders and 70's and 80's music on the juke box. It's something else. As the giggly valley-speaking 20-something girl next to me just said to her date, "This place is so chill."

I hated leaving the Amicalola Lodge this morning. I loved everything about the place. Nestled into the Appalachians, the views, waterfalls, staff, character and mood of the place was a perfect way to spend my last day in the mountains. I woke up early, hung out on the deck by myself and nursed a cup of coffee. The gray skies, night chill, light breeze, distant owl calls and complete solitude made for a calm, peaceful setting. I couldn't have been more content.

I hung out at the lodge until checkout time and then hit the road for the final 60 miles down to Atlanta. I had originally planned to return the bike at the end of the day but since I was going to Atlanta, I thought I would make a work-related visit to the College Football Hall of Fame. I am working on a new Athletics Hall of Fame for Northeastern and thought the college football exhibit might spark some good ideas. In fact it did.

I spent the first 20 miles out of Amicalola on Burnt Mountain Road. Other than a few turkeys, I had the road to myself, literally. I didn't see a single car until I reached the outskirts of Jasper (see video).

I pulled over a couple of times to get a final soak of the mountains. After a week of riding, I was sad to say goodbye.

From Jasper I took Rte. 75, a major freeway, down to Atlanta. It was pretty scary during the first stretch. Somehow an insect had gotten into my helmet. It crawled into my left ear and stayed there, buzzing away. I couldn't tell if it was a fly, a bee or some other kind of bug. I only know that it was loud and nasty and driving me crazy. Given that I am allergic to bee stings, I was trying not to freak out. This continued for more than five minutes. It felt more like an eternity. I finally got to an exit, pulled over on the side on the ramp and ripped my helmet off. It had been flat out torture.

I returned the bike at 1 p.m. having added 1,260 miles to the odometer. We went through the detailed inspection routine and then exchanged signatures. I unpacked the bike luggage, filled my duffel bag and then Ubered to the Downtown Hilton. I had reserved a room there on Priceline for $82.

Though I missed Eric's companionship on this trip, there was something special about being alone. I got to decide which routes to take, what speeds to ride and which places to stay. I could talk to whomever I wanted, whenever I wanted and be by myself if that is what I preferred. The mountains were majestic and the experience magical. It's a trip I will cherish forever.

Thanks for following along. I can't wait for next year's adventure, wherever that will take us.

George

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Location:Downtown Hilton, Atlanta, Georgia