Spring Break Trip - Day 8

We were up early (0530) and quickly packed up. We got gas in Gainesville (0625) and I had to fill up one of the tires of the rental car for some reason. It was very cold and wet but we decided to "stay on mission" and drive to Toccoa and climb Currahee (of “Band of Brothers” fame). The hotel didn’t have food, so we went to pick up breakfast (Dunkin’ Donuts) at 0650 AM. We left town and it rained all the way to our destination (via back roads, following Mollie’s GPS). Fortunately, it cleared up just after we arrived at the parking lot for our hike up the three mile road to the summit (0800). We had the place all to ourselves and took our time climbing the gravel road that made its way to the top of the hill. Mollie had been very interested in this place since we saw the HBO mini-series and I was impressed at her determination. We didn't get many good views because of the weather but it never rained very hard on us either. Mollie wanted to walk alone so I put some distance between us during the climb and, once she'd reached the summit herself, rejoined her. Our walk down was marked by improving weather and we made good time (just over two hours for the round trip). We ended up only seeing one other person trying to climb the mountain (trail runner) and some cars driving up the gravel road just as we reached the car. Afterwards (1015), we headed northeast towards South Carolina and it started raining again. We ate a nice lunch at Chick-fil-A in Lavonia (GA). Because the weather was not very good where we’d been and we didn't want a huge amount of driving on the last day of Spring Break, we decided to head in the direction of home (via I-85). On the way through the Gamecock State, we passed some NPS units (Cowpens and Kings Mountain - both National Battlefields) that we didn't want to miss. The first stop had a super bonus: there was a living history / reenactment going on at Cowpens and we spent several hours mingling with colonial militia, Tory loyalists, a school master and several Over-mountain riflemen. It continued to rain but we managed to tour the entire battlefield and watch a cavalry demonstration before we left. The re-enactors were excellent! Our next stop was only about 20 minutes away - the Kings Mountain battlefield has always been one of my favorites! Unfortunately, it was raining even harder so we couldn't tour the grounds and settled for a leisurely stroll through the museum and a relaxing viewing of the park video. At about 1600, we returned to the car so we could decide on our next steps. I'd planned the Spring Break itinerary initially with an option to visit the Twins in Harrisonburg but we didn't know if that would work. I was very excited to confirm the chance for Easter Brunch the following day (yaaay!). So, instead of trying intercept I-95, we steered towards the Shenandoah (still on I-85). We crossed into North Carolina made good time through Charlotte and switched to I-77 there. After several more hours of driving, we reached the border of Virginia and stopped for dinner in Lambsburg (1810). I was getting tired by that point so we looked for a place to stay. We found a good deal for a room at the Motel 6 in Hillsville (near Fancy Gap) and quickly checked in (1900). Mollie wanted some "alone time" and I was able to squeeze in a short call with Eileen. We then watched some TV and Mollie did a bit more studying. Bed time was at 2230. A couple more NPS Passport stamps are possible tomorrow - this has been an amazing trip and we wish it wouldn't end!