Obama on the Mountains to Sea Trail

Anyone who has ridden North Carolina's Showdown at Black Creek permanent has been on part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a 1,000-mile cross-state hiking route which stretches from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. In the eastern part of the state, land for the trail is still being acquired, so the path currently follows some of the state's signed bike routes. The picture above shows Branson and Byron on a road portion of the trail during a sunny 2008 pre-ride of Black Creek.

The Trail's Executive Director is good friend Kate Dixon, who is married to randonneuring buddy Danno. Showdown at Black Creek was initially set up as a fundraiser for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, with registration money from an October ride donated to the nonprofit.

Near Asheville, the trail crisscrosses the Blue Ridge Parkway. Kate and her organization got a big boost this weekend when President Obama and his wife Michelle hiked a portion of the trail during their stay in Asheville.

You can read a story about the hike here.

The official White House photos shows the President and Michelle on the trail. You'll also see Capn Ende's children among the folks in the trees as they try to get a glimpse of the President during a golf outing.

Here's the Friends of the Mountain-To-Sea Trail Website.