Today was a fairytale

Day 19.  Maryville, TN.


Really, the last couple days have been a fairytale.  It all started when we crossed our first state line into Tennessee on Sunday as we made our way to Gatlinburg (and our final descent down the Appalachian Mountains).  To be able to say I rode a bicycle over the Appalachians still blows my mind.  Gatlinburg was everything we heard it would be...the Myrtle Beach of the Mountains.  It was very touristy and actually seemed really out of place out here.  The church we stayed at made us sleep outside on their lawn in tents (still not sure why) and provided us with freezing cold showers.  Then it rained.  Everybody's stuff got wet, and it had already easily been the smelliest day of Bike & Build thus far (for me anyway...my Camelback needs a serious wash).  We awoke the next morning to the peaceful sound of softly falling raindrops, so soothing it made our therm-a-rests and sleeping bags seem like king-size pillow tops...and then we quickly realized this meant it was still raining and we would have to ride in it.  Everyone packed their damp belongings, dreading the mildew that was surely to come, and we headed out to a late breakfast provided by a different church a few miles away.  It was amazing: biscuits and gravy, eggs, yogurt/granola/fresh fruit, AND coffee.  We all ate like all we had to do was nap later, because it was still raining and nobody really cared to set out for the day on our bikes.  We dawdled around for a while before finally taking off, only to find another mountainous hill to climb.  In the rain.  My legs were so beat from our ride in the day before that I just knew it was going to be a miserable ride. Then we reached a road that followed alongside a river...and we realized we were riding downstream, which meant downhill...and we literally coasted downhill for about 20 miles.  It was the most fantastic ride ever, rain and all.  We eventually wound down to a part of the river that was kind of like a spring, with lots of rocks and a big pooled area where you could swim...so we climbed down and swam in it.  It was freezing but felt so good, and then the sun came out.  Blissful.
When we arrived in Maryville we were instructed to meet at a local bike shop, where we were greeted with snacks, free bike repairs, and a bike washing station.  Big ups to Cycology in Maryville, TN, they are awesome for doing that for us.  After all that was done, we rode to the church and showered, and then were treated to dinner at a restaurant in town.  Later we went bowling and almost everyone came, and it was definitely one of the most fun nights we've had out together.
Today we built with Blount County Habitat for Humanity here in Maryville.  We had to ride our bikes to the build site, so we actually biked AND built in the same day!  Today we built the entire floor system of a new home.  There was nothing there but cinderblocks this morning...and now there is the whole floor.  The homeowner was there building with us today, and after the floor was finished she broke into tears thanking us for all our help...it was a very humbling experience.  People are so appreciative of what we're doing, and we all feel like we're just getting to do things we love doing...it's just crazy.  They also catered lunch from Texas Roadhouse, which was outstanding. Nothing makes me happier than free food :) 
We stopped at Sonic on the ride back to the church to get some milkshakes...only to find out that it was happy hour and milkshakes were buy-1-get-1-free.  Oh my.  By the way, I have never loved milkshakes like I love them on this trip.  They are soooo good after a long day riding or building (and they're actually good for recovery too!).  I want one right now.
So tomorrow I will be very sad to leave Maryville because our stay here has been awesome.  We're headed out to Sweetwater, TN in the morning, and I can only hope they hold a candle to this dandy town.
And can I just say, I can't believe it's June and we're in Tennessee.  Time is flyin'..."It must have been the way today was a fairytale..."