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.