Just a Few Pictures

Mile Marker 469 - End of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Wheels Through Time Motorcyle Museum

Bill and Sandra Relaxing at the Azalea Garden Motel in Blowing Rock

Grandfather Mountain and the Mile High Swinging Bridge

Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway

Home Again Home Again

Up early and what a beautiful day for riding; mid to upper 70s. Had 290 miles to do today in order to get home; arrived around 2 PM. We have covered 1910 miles total for this trip. Just ordered a new CB because mine went bad on our first day out. Bill led today because he is very familiar with this part of Virginia and traveled home by way of the Bridge Tunnel. Leaving the hotel at 7 put us around Hampton and Norfolk at morning rush hour but we only had major traffic for about 30 minutes or so. Don kept referring to me as "iron butt" yesterday because of the distance and time between rest stops but I noticed today Bill rides for 100 miles or 2 hours before stopping as well. Of course not a peep out of Don! But I must admit there is a big difference between riding an hour when teh teop is close to 100 compared to riding an hour when the temp is 75. Well, this trip is over all except for printing pictures, doing the laundry and putting everything away.

Heading Home

Breakfast at 7 and on the road by 7:30. Up and over the mountains and down into Maggie Valley for the last time; well the last time for this trip. I’m sure it will not be the last time – I love this area and there are still so many places I’d like to visit here. It’s pretty warm at 7:30 and by 10 it is very warm. We travel 19 and then 40 for more than 150 miles; a few miles on 29 around Danville and then 58 across Virginia. The heat is stifling and by 3:30 we are just hoping to reach our goal for the day and get a room. Three stops for gas and one for lunch, I think we have done very well. Don says I’m going to make all our friends not want to ride with us if I don’t start stopping more often. We have covered 393 miles by the time we stop at the Quality Inn in Emporia Virginia.

Last Day to Play

Breakfast at 8:30 for Bill, Sandra and us; Dwayne and Sherry slept in planning to leave around noon. We said our goodbyes last night knowing we would be out on the bikes before they even thought about getting up. When we walked out of the room for breakfast it had started raining – and was coming down in buckets. Then the sun came out so we were climbing the mountains heading for Maggie Valley by 10 AM. We were heading to the Wheels Through Times Museum. This would be our 3rd time to visit this museum but every time is different because Dale continues to add new bikes. All the bikes are American made and almost every one runs. We were so fortunate to have Dale’s son wonder around the museum with us and start up many of the old bikes and tell us about the bike, where his Dad bought it, how they put it back together. He even suggested I sit on one of the old antique bikes to see how the old seats felt; gee I had been wondering if they would let me sit on one but I hadn’t worked up the nerve to ask him. It was such a thrill to be in the saddle of a bike built in the early 1900s. Of course I had to buy some raffle tickets for a 1947 Harley Davidson; get a T-Shirt and a couple of DVDs. Then off to find lunch at the Bear Den and then ride the last 14 miles of the Blue Ridge again. Back at the hotel Bill, Sandra and I head over to the Bear Zoo to feed the bears and watch them dance and beg for food. Packing is next on the list so we can pull out early in the morning.

Meet the Cherokee People

Today is the Festival of Voices for the Cherokee and located at various locations throughout the village are two or three Cherokee in full ceremonial dress singing and dancing. We went to the Museum and there were many tents setup outside where the Cherokee people were displaying their talents; stone carving, pottery making, jewelry making, bow and spear making just to mention a few. There was storytelling, singing and dancing by the Cherokee people. The museum was so interesting and a really good place to start since we were going to the show tonight. Leaving the museum we wondered down town to check out the stores but as normal for any tourist location one was just like the next. After dinner we called the Cherokee Transit and arrived at the Unto These Hills outdoor theater by 6:45 PM. The show was fantastic. I’m of the Blackfoot decent but I felt a deep respect for the Cherokee people and the unforgivable treatment they received at the hand of the white man. They tried so hard to live in peace with the new settlers only to be pushed out and killed for their land. They have been true to their heritage and even during the years when they were hunted down, and their children were forbidden to speak in their native tongue the Cherokee people held fast to their beginnings. They are a proud people and everyone we have met has been warm and friendly. The Cherokee believe in taking each day as it comes and I can relate to that.

Great riding today

Left around 9:30 heading out on route 19 for Fontana Dam. The dam was built in 1945 and is the highest dam east of the Rockies. Fontana Lake, which was created by the creation of the dam covers over 10,000 acres and covers a small town and the access roads to many other small communities. The lake is drained every 5 years and you can still see the town sleeping quietly beneath this watery grave. The Fontana Dam generates electricity for much of the Tennessee Valley. Next we traveled route 28 which is a very curvy road and is beginning to be recognized by the motorcycle crowd as one of the best riding roads in this area. This route is called the Moonshiner Run because it was a famous route for moonshiners to travel to avoid the Feds. As I slowed to a safe speed around some of the tight turns and then climbed the next grade I imagined the old cars speeding up and down the mountains loaded with illegal liquor. Then we arrived at our second destination for the day – The Tail of the Dragon. The Dragon can be entered from the North Carolina side and the whole 11 miles traveled but at the Tennessee end you have to turn around and travel the whole 11 miles back again. A stop first at the Tail of the Dragon resort and store. There must have been a hundred bikers – some had just ridden the Dragon and others, like us, were just getting ready to tackle this monster. Ok – I’m ready so off we go with Bill and Sandra in the lead. The first few curves were pretty smooth and then I see a tight hairpin up ahead. Around the curve, pull it tight, then up we climb into another tighter turn. No guard rails, just low shoulders and grass or woods. Another easy turn then suddenly you are upon a tight turn again; down shift and get ready to pull it tight and go into a climb. I do not like to drag my floorboards but it happened several times. At first I heard the metal scraping on the blacktop and instinct told me to straighten up slightly but no I cannot do that or I’ll be off the side of the road, in fact, I must lean even more to maneuver this turn. I feel the vibration of the metal dragging on the road. Don was behind me and he said he could hear the metal scraping the road. Along the way you see Killboy and a couple of others parked in a safe location taking pictures of the riders. You also see at least 4 police cars parked ready to pull over anyone riding this Dragon at unsafe speeds or passing illegally. Today or at least during our 22 miles trip everyone is enjoying their ride and testing their skills. Reaching the end we find a very nice turnaround. Bill stops and asks if I’m ready for the next 11 miles. I nod my head and off we go to tackle these curves and master this Dragon in the other direction. I’m ready as I first turn right, down shift, climb left, turn right and drag floorboards again. The Dragon is an 11 mile stretch of mountain road with 318 curves. The official name is Deals Gap. I found the Dragon fun to ride and yes challenging but I have found myself on many mountain roads with curves just as tight and challenging but never with so many curves in such as short distance. Coming down from the Dragon we head back to the motel and meet Dwayne and Sherry. We had dinner and sat and talked until late.

A Relaxing Day

Slept in this morning and didn’t get on the road until 9:45. Woke to pouring rain which isn’t a surprise here and low hanging fog on the mountains but by 9:30 the rain had stopped. We headed over the Smokies on the Great Smoky Mountain Parkway (441) to ride the Tail of the Dragon but found the Tennessee side closed due to a rock slide. You can still get on the Dragon from North Carolina but cannot ride the whole 11 miles because there is no way to get off other than to turn around and retrace your ride. Guess we won’t do the Dragon this trip. Bill led us over some beautiful mountain roads along rivers and then ended in Gatlinburg where we took a Cable Car to the top of the mountain some 2000 feet above sea level and over 300 feet above the town of Gatlinburg. At the top is a recreation park, indoor ice skating rink, shops, flume ride, toboggan rides, and more. We had lunch and enjoyed watching the kids ice skate and then headed back over the mountains on 441. It was very warm in the valley but true to form as we climbed the mountains it had been raining and the roads were wet, the fog was settling in places and it began to get cold. Back at the motel by 3:30 for some sightseeing and a nice relaxing dinner. Tomorrow Dwayne and Sherry arrive.

Last 14 miles

Cherokee was right over the mountain; only 14 more miles on the Blue Ridge and I would have one more goal completed. We climbed out of Maggie Valley at 8:30 and back on the parkway. The morning was cool and looking like rain. The last 14 miles of the Blue Ridge pretty much wraps up the whole of the parkway. You have several tunnels, easy rolling curves and then some spiral curves which lacking a few yards would be a complete circle; tree covered mountains and then some mountains that are sheer rock wet from the mountain streams trickling through the cracks; assorted flowers and awesome views of the valleys below. I felt a sense of accomplishment as we pulled to a stop at the southern entrance to the parkway only a mile from Cherokee. We were too early to check in at the hotel but they did let us drop the trailers and we headed over the Smokies to Pigeon Forge to see the new Titanic Museum. This is an awesome museum with lots of pictures, artifacts, video presentations and even some locations reconstructed so you feel like you are walking in the Titanic. The rain started while we waited to enter the museum and a light drizzle continued as we headed back over the mountains to Cherokee several hours later. The mountains are called the Great Smokies for a reason – the fog rolls in and covers the tops like smoke from a wood stove with the damper closed; and as expected with the rain and cool temps the fog began floating in until you could not see the vehicle ahead of you but then it was gone as fast as it came. The Best Western in Cherokee has been our home base twice in the past for UTR Rallies and we are not disappointed this time either; very nice accommodations.

Almost To The End

On the parkway by 8 AM heading south with no place other than the end in sight. Very cool again this morning but we stopped at Mt. Mitchell, the highest point in the east for coffee. More times than not the mountain is fogged in but this morning was crystal clear. We are now traveling through the higher elevations of the Blue Ridge; 5000 and up in elevation. The Mountain Laurel are blooming as well as the Rhododendron with various wild flowers all along the roadway. More animals cross our path each day, deer, turkey, chipmunks, squirrels, a red-tailed hawk flies over head and snakes are curled on the blacktop warming their bodies in the morning sunshine. I’m still looking for that ever elusive black bear. 195 miles today which is pretty darn good for parkway riding. We pulled off for the night at Maggie Valley – which is only about 12 miles from the end but since we cannot get into our hotel at Cherokee until tomorrow we thought this would be a nice place to call it a night.

Happy Birthday

What a day this has been. On the Blue Ridge by 8 and it was very cool; even had to stop in 40 minutes to put on the heated jacket. We pulled off at Doughton Park and had a great breakfast and warmed up with a cup of coffee. I have been on the top of the world all day; passing places listed as 3000 + feet high. A lot of times you don’t even know how high you are because the road seems to climb so slightly until suddenly the view drops away and you see the valley below. Knowing we wanted to see Grandfather Mountain we stopped at Blowing Rock and found the most wonderful motel. There are flowers everywhere and little waterfalls; the rooms are very homey and absolutely the neatest I’ve ever seen. There is a gazebo outside with music playing softly and white wicker chairs with red cushions. A large patio is out front with more white wicker rockers and red cushions. Candles and yard lights are positioned to add just the right touch to the yard after dark. A little pricy but it’s my birthday! Grandfather Mountain is a must see if you make it to this area. The road up the mountain is 2 miles of switchbacks and hairpin turns. I had left my bike at the motel and was on the back of Don’s which was good. Couple the hairpin turns and the 50 mph winds up the mountain and it would have been very difficult to enjoy myself. The climb to the top required holding the railing and a short walk across an open patio area got us to the swinging bridge 5280 feet high. It was amazing to walk across that bridge and feel the wind blowing you. The bridge seemed to be singing as the wind blew through the openings in the floor boards. Back to the motel to relax around the gazebo and then a great dinner at a local restaurant put the finishing touch on my special day.

Mt. Airy NC

I told Sandra we would meet them for breakfast at 6:30 or 7 but she didn’t hear the or and thought I said 6:37. LOL she doesn’t know me very well if she thinks I am that precise. They had been waiting when I entered the little kitchen area at 5 of 7. By 8 AM we were back on the Blue Ridge heading south in the cool air and bright sunshine. All is well as I round one curve to find 2 of the cutest deer standing by the road watching as I pull to a stop not knowing if they are going to bolt across the road, up the hill or just stand there. They decided to go up the hill. There were at least a half dozen deer today crossing my path or watching me glide through their homeland. Then a hen turkey with a handful of chicks crossing the road at the fastest pace the young chicks’ legs would carry them called for another stop. A must see was Mabry Mills. You will find a true Appalachian Mountain home, farm and saw mill with folks on hand to answer questions. Reaching the Days Inn at Fancy Gap around noon we unhooked the trailers and headed the 14 miles to Mt Airy, where we found most things closed. We did find a great little diner open (they closed at 4 PM) the Bluebird Diner where we had a great lunch/dinner. Walked around a bit and then went to the Andy Griffith Museum which was very interesting. Just about 160 miles today.

Day 1 And We Are Off

We met Bill and Sandra Venable at the McDonalds on Kent Island at 7:30 AM and were on the road by 8 making pretty good time. Lunch in Orange VA at our favorite restaurant at the intersection of 15 and 20 and then we arrive at the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway by 2:30 PM. The temp was 70 when we left home and had climbed to sweltering by noon, but as we entered the Parkway and began climbing the mountains the temps dropped by at least 20 degrees. I am never disappointed when I get on the Blue Ridge; the soft breezes, sweet smells of the wild flowers floating on the air and the sunlight dancing through the openings in the canopy of green leaves over the ribbon of asphalt winding its way over the top of the most beautiful mountain range. Every once in awhile the canopy opens to reveal a stunning view of the valley below and you can only steel a quick peak while riding because this ribbon is barely more than a path through the wilderness with no guardrails or shoulders. The speed limit is 45 but with one curve after another turning you left then right then left again you seldom reach speeds above 40. Plus you want to watch for the residence – deer, bear and turkey to name a few. Didn’t see the deer or bear today but we did see the turkey. The parkway is not the most challenging of roads to ride even though it does have some very sweet curves with some so tight you cannot see through them and wonder if there is even a road on the other side but it seems to extend a sweet southern invitation that you cannot resist as it rocks you back and forth. Covering over 350 miles today we landed in Bedford for the night. A nice dinner and shower to remove the road dirt and everyone is ready to retire and plan for an early start in the morning.

Never Been This Unprepared

Well we are down to less than 24 hours before we leave and I still have all the packing to do yet; check the air pressure in the bike tires and the oil. I was beginning to think I was going to have to change our departure date due to illness but after two trips to the doctor’s office and 3 different meds I think I’m back on track. Weather.com is showing possible T storms most days but I’m thinking that might be due to the constant heat conditions. They have been calling for T storms for over a week now and we had a small shower last night and that was it. Let’s hope. Don has his garden tilled, fertilized and looking good so it should be fine. So the order for today is work til noon; do laundry; pack, check the bikes, hook up the trailer and then try to sleep. Sleeping is always difficult the first night before leaving. I’m like a small child on Christmas Eve when it comes to taking a trip on the motorcycle.