Turns of the Bars
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
As we prepared to head out into the land of Boiled Peanuts, both plain and raw, whatever that meant, I was contemplating just how many times I have turned these handlebars. It could have been because we had made few turns in Georgia so far, and that we were on our way to making a lot of turns, and as advertised - 318 turns in 11 miles.
I will admit that as we entered the foothills of the Smokies, the ride was getting better. Eventually we hit a place that Kasey's Brother suggested, Blood Mountain. It was a fun stretch of road to ride, except for the idiot in the full size van with a trailer flying down the road.
We passed through North Carolina and into Tennessse. As we approached Telico Plains, TN we saw more and more motorcycles. We rolled into town, and approached the restaurant that was suggested in a motorcycle magazine I had just read.
It seemed to be a first on this trip, a place I had picked to eat was not only there, but was open. We stepped in, and the place was very nice, with good food. I highly recommend the TeliCafe in Telico Plains, TN.
The whole point for going to Telico Plains, TN is that it is at the base of The Cherohala Skyway. This mountain pass over the Smokies has some great curvy roads and better pull offs for scenery.
At our second pull off, there was quite a crowd of people taking pictures and enjoying the view. One rider was about to have a bad day. His bike was not running very well, and it stalling out was publicized by a big puff of black smoke. He needed to head back down the mountain with that kind of trouble.
We had no problems finishing the skyway, including stopping for more pictures. We cruised into Robertsville, NC to get fuel. After a brief stop we headed back up the road, and to face the dragon. After about 20 miles, we pulled into the Crossroads of Time Campground at the beginning of Deal's Gap, also known as the Tail of the Dragon.
Our first half of the trip was nearly excruciating. Here we were, 318 turns in 11 miles, and the first 5 miles were behind SUV's hauling canoes, and another SUV who would not yield to faster traffic. Probably a plant to keep people slowed down. We finally were the ones that pulled over, and let Mr. Slow Poke get out in front of us.
Photos of us Slaying the Dragon
As standard procedure, we parked at the dam at the end of the gap, and took a few pictures, and rested. There is a pretty good view from here, too.
After a little while longer on US 129, we pulled into a drive across a dam, and took another picture.
Me, Kasey and The Pearl along a River and US 129
We had more than our share of twist and turns of the handlebars today, so after rounding Chattanooga, TN, we hit I-40, and took this interstate to Cookeville, TN to park for the night.
As we prepared to head out into the land of Boiled Peanuts, both plain and raw, whatever that meant, I was contemplating just how many times I have turned these handlebars. It could have been because we had made few turns in Georgia so far, and that we were on our way to making a lot of turns, and as advertised - 318 turns in 11 miles.
I will admit that as we entered the foothills of the Smokies, the ride was getting better. Eventually we hit a place that Kasey's Brother suggested, Blood Mountain. It was a fun stretch of road to ride, except for the idiot in the full size van with a trailer flying down the road.
We passed through North Carolina and into Tennessse. As we approached Telico Plains, TN we saw more and more motorcycles. We rolled into town, and approached the restaurant that was suggested in a motorcycle magazine I had just read.
It seemed to be a first on this trip, a place I had picked to eat was not only there, but was open. We stepped in, and the place was very nice, with good food. I highly recommend the TeliCafe in Telico Plains, TN.
The whole point for going to Telico Plains, TN is that it is at the base of The Cherohala Skyway. This mountain pass over the Smokies has some great curvy roads and better pull offs for scenery.
At our second pull off, there was quite a crowd of people taking pictures and enjoying the view. One rider was about to have a bad day. His bike was not running very well, and it stalling out was publicized by a big puff of black smoke. He needed to head back down the mountain with that kind of trouble.
We had no problems finishing the skyway, including stopping for more pictures. We cruised into Robertsville, NC to get fuel. After a brief stop we headed back up the road, and to face the dragon. After about 20 miles, we pulled into the Crossroads of Time Campground at the beginning of Deal's Gap, also known as the Tail of the Dragon.
Our first half of the trip was nearly excruciating. Here we were, 318 turns in 11 miles, and the first 5 miles were behind SUV's hauling canoes, and another SUV who would not yield to faster traffic. Probably a plant to keep people slowed down. We finally were the ones that pulled over, and let Mr. Slow Poke get out in front of us.
Photos of us Slaying the Dragon
As standard procedure, we parked at the dam at the end of the gap, and took a few pictures, and rested. There is a pretty good view from here, too.
After a little while longer on US 129, we pulled into a drive across a dam, and took another picture.
Me, Kasey and The Pearl along a River and US 129
We had more than our share of twist and turns of the handlebars today, so after rounding Chattanooga, TN, we hit I-40, and took this interstate to Cookeville, TN to park for the night.
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