Stayed at The Wells (AirBnB) in Highlands using my AirBnB Superhost credit, plus $60. The grounds experience was nice, with the fire, and the room was nice, but the highway was noisy.
We slept better in the Boldt the next night at Standing Indian Campground in Nantahala National Forest. We love it here, did a big bike ride yesterday, from around 3,000 feet above sea leave to more than 4,600 feet above at Mt. Albert fire tower.
While Tamera hiked, I pedaled from Albert Mountain down and then back up Pickens Nose (yep, it’s real), then down and down and down to 2,400 feet or so above sea level, a total descent of more than 2,200 feet. I turned around not having reached my destination because my calculations were that my battery would just get me back. Even with the eMTB, itwas a hard climb back up to 4.600+ feet, then a descent, then back up again to the next 4,600+ feet. I made it back to the van on my last bar of battery. It felt victorious. It was beautiful back at the van, a gorgeous setting to launch the drone and film the fire tower as the sun was setting.
Back at Standing Indian Campground, site 58, where we camped, was fairly nice, but Loop 1 (site 1) looked even nicer.
For those looking to save even more on the camping experience, there is primitive RV camping, $6 a night ($3 with our pass) just up the road.
On the way home, we hit up two of our favorites, Innovation Brewing Company and Pie Times Pizza Company.
