Build day in Maryville

I roofed in the AM and hung vinyl siding after lunch. We did sooo much in one day and came back to the host site to learn we were helping to serve dinner to 250 church folks. It was exhausting but so much fun!

Welcome to Murvil

Me with my new bike in Maryville Tennessee!

Best day ever

Best nights sleep in my hammock followed by the best day on a bike so far!! Chilly morning turned into a 90 degree day quickly, I had my first ever 'biscuits and gravy' for breakfast at the church, and we were off! The entire ride to lunch was gorgeous. It maintained a nice downhill grade that you could coast on and really enjoy the surroundings. There were very few cars on the road and we followed a beautiful river the whole way down. Our group stopped twice to play in the water! The second time we jumped all the way in, shammies and all and jumped off a waterfall! The water felt amazing and it seemed like everyone felt great about their ride too. Now we are in Maryville (pronounced Murvil) tonight and tomorrow to build! More to come later!

It's certainly not the comfort (and company) of 5 jenckes st but it'll do. That's my new hammock!

First night in TN. we look like a hippie compound

Tennessee, Tennessee

I can't believe it - one state down! We rode across te entire state of north Carolina, scaled the blue ridge and smokey mountains, and today we arrived in Tennessee.

So, gatlinsberg is weird. It's like Disney world for adults and if you are reading this blog you know how I feel about Disney world.

Pat and I reached the state line without realizing it sooo I do not have a photo.. But there are a ton from the group so I'll post later!

Later NC!!

Chillin at 6000 ft right now. Hoping for a downhill soon on our way to TEnnessee

Asheville reminded me of a mix between providence and burlington, VT. Great arts scene and we got to experience the Friday night drum circle! On to Waynesville!

I moose Drew Appleton

An example of some of he houses we work on! Got to meet the homeowner here in Asheville

Another view. Hi pat

Photos do not do it justice.

A pretty fast group of kids right here. Lookin out over another beautiful view

The blue ridge parkway had a ton of awesome tunnels through the rock

More Asheville Nc

Beginning our most challenging day yet! Ali and El lookin happy as we take a big group scenic stop

Scott met a horse friend!

Our host church is so wonderful! Thank you newland Nc!

Scary but so rewarding!!!

View from the (almost) top

Ok so I took a photo at 4134 ft buuut our highest elevation ended up being 4412!

Me and Becca - we made it!

Blue Ridge Parkway!!

Becca Tyler and I along the blue ridge mtn trail, takin a short rest

Brady Em and Estaban resting at 1st lunch

Nice descent

Back

One word. Elevaion

Today is a huge climb day into the Blue Ridge Mts. Excited for some great views. However my butt is less than thrilled.

We paintedthe trailer last night!! Everyone pitched in and it looks sick!

Boston bros

Joey dancing at lunch to some tunes from the van.

Resting at lunch today

This was waiting for us when we arrived yesterday!

Daryl Hall and I rode solo for a while and stopped to enjoy some shade

Bike tan comin in strong after week 1

Impromptu A Ninja game at first lunch yesterday.

Jarod in my Jean jacket...

The home dedication

Painting crew

Build days are like this

Men in a truck (this is legal here)

Top of the hill

Ethan giving us a tour of UNC

Traiiiinnnn!!!

Eat and bike and build

Lunch #2 on the way to wake forest, Nc. Some crashes, some bumps and bruised egos, but everyone in good spirits!

Hurting after 90 mi

Massage train after our first 90 mi'er into wake forest. Teamwork makes the dream work. Oh yeah we have another one tomorrow!

Dedication

Finishing up two days of hard work and good food (as usual) in chapel hill. Went to a house dedication and got to meet some of the new owners and work with them on their future homes! Being here in the phoenix place community has served as a great reminder for all of us why we are here.

Grateful to the chapel hill community for hosting us.

Chapel hill y'all

Having an amazing pot luck dinner from b&b family, friends and alum I chapel hill, Nc!! Great first build day today with our pal Hoyle. More to come after dinner!

Museum in bellhaven, Nc

Found an amazing weird museum in bellhaven, Nc. Woman who collected everything, including octopus fetuses.

Bikes from above

Gravy train ascends

Wayyy up there

"old stuff" store en route to Greenville

The birth of the gravy train! Me with Jenn and Becca while we explore on our way to Greenville.

Push/sit up club. We do push ups and sit ups for every mile we ride that day. May seem crazy but we'll be the jacked ones at the beach in SD!

Ethan, Emily and some other riders pulling over (safely) to check put some cows.