2017 Gathering of Eagles: Part 3

Originally Published in Southeastern Rider Magazine, February 2018

The third, and final, in a three-part series of our trip to Gathering of Eagles, Cruiser Club, USA’s Annual Gathering. This is our trip back home.

Any trip home is a reflective one. The new memories begin mixing with others, and before long, you are cruising down memory lane. We started out the day, leaving Fantana Village behind us, and rolling back down the mountains. The area is bit of a tourist trap, meaning places for things like food and gas are sparse, and pricey.

Another trap is that there is often only one way to get in and out, and this is no exception. For us, that meant another trip down the Moonshiner 28. From that twisty ribbon, we veer off on to US 74, heading north. Still looking for fuel for the bike, and for ourselves, we headed into one of the first towns that popped up, taking Highway 19 in Bryson City. The first gas station we came across was closed for repairs. We made our way through town, not finding another place to eat, nor fill the tank. At the edge of town, we saw a familiar sign, one that advertises a price per gallon. The station was not one I would stop at, as it looked like something from the dust bowl era. Fortunately, I could pay at the pump, and not even have to dismount to get the go juice. A remark about the place played in my head through the Bluetooth headset in my co-rider’s voice. I joked that I was going to have her go in and pay.

It was a bittersweet route to get home, as once again, Gathering of Eagles
went by far too fast, with a lot of fun crammed into those few days.

With the tank on the VTX 1800 filled to the brim, we headed east on Highway 19. The next town along the yellow line on the GPS would be Cherokee. I knew we could find a place to eat, it was going to be a challenge to find a place with breakfast. It was after halfway through the morning, and I had a passenger that could eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I could fill more than one magazine with the great meals I have had on the road. I’m known for having a knack of picking a spot on a map, or while out on the road, and it being a delicious stop. It would take some time to make our way through town, and all it’s tourist traps, but I saw a familiar A-Framed Building. Usually, an International House of Pancakes, this one had been sold and was now a mom and pop place. Better yet, a mom and pop breakfast place called the Frontier Pancake House.

Once inside the building, we could smell the food on the buffet. Normally, a breakfast buffet is riddled with rubbery eggs, crispy pancakes, and bacon that could sole the bottom of my riding boots. This establishment was different, as the items were in small pans that needed to be replaced with fresh food more often. Because of this, we went with the buffet.

Our bellies were full of some yummy food, and we were pleased with the service at this pancake house. While pulling out of the parking lot, we noticed we were right across from the major casino in town. I’m sure the gambling center has a pretty good breakfast itself. We made our way down 441 to return to Highway 74, and continue east.

Waynesville would connect us to our This trip, even though I was going in the opposite direction, was much more relaxed. Being able to see the road in front of you can do that for you. We meandered down the mountainside, passed many tourist spots, including sliding rock. Shortly after, we took a little break, and then headed for Brevard.

We made a left at Highway 208 to head north and east towards Mills River. With a few jogs on 191, Mountain Road, and a pass through Mountain View, we were on Howard Gap Road. We then turned on to a road we would spend some time riding, US 64, or Chimney Rock Road. After several miles we were feeling like a dynamic duo, we rolled into Bat Cave.

I look for Destination Roads while planning out a route. When
I arrive, it is often marked by a sing like this.

Destination Road-That’s a term I made up years ago. Every one of my routes has to have a destination road – a road that I have to travel while I’m in the area. This section of the trip was for State Road 276. The last time I took this road was to return from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Maggie Valley, in the middle of the night. My brother was in tow behind me, on what was supposed to be our short day for sight seeing. Despite an early start that day, we arrived back to the hotel late.

US 64 and US 74 join forces and lead us on a route through several scenic and popular spots for visitors. First off, is Chimney Rock, then Lake Lure. The beach was a surprise as it was right on the main road, and in town. Not only a place that deserves a return visit, but could be a potential location for a future Gathering of Eagles. The beach was packed, as the air had warmed. We were now at lower elevation, and the sky was hued in Carolina Blue.

While the road still swept left and right, it wasn’t as technical as before, so I could reflect on things I have seen on return trips. Usually, the trip is epic to get there, but in 2009, Kasey and I took off from Pennsylvania to head south to Jacksonville Florida, and then back to Indiana. We hugged the coast, and spent one night with an old college friend of mine.

We arrived at Rutherton, and headed south to link up with US 74, and make our way further east. In Shelby, we knew we were drawing close to Charlotte, so it was time to start making our way around the city. State Highway 150 leads us north and east toward Lincolnton. The sun sinking in the sky was a welcome sign as we knew the air would be cooling. It never got that hot all day, which made for a comfortable ride.

We are now riding SR 79 heading east, skirting the southern edge of Lake Norman. As we draw closer to home, and I feel more familiar with my surroundings, I am taken back past trips where waterways were the trick to finding scenic drives. On an epic trip from Indianapolis to Carlsbad, New Mexico, I and two other riders spent lots of miles riding along the Rio Grande. For most of the ride, the waterway was about fifteen feet wide, and it looked to be a foot or so deep. Not so grand. The desolation surrounding the water and roadway was foreboding. I wouldn’t want to be broken down, or out of gas around here.

One voyage can draw memories of others as you ride along. Here is a picture
from an epic 4000 mile trip. The Black Pearl is parked along the Rio Grande.

We made our way across Cabarus County to State Road 601, and headed south. Our last leg would be on 200, also known as Central Avenue. It’s a bittersweet moment guiding that front wheel into the driveway. While spending several days on the road can wear on you eventually, so you are ready for rest, leaving such a great event behind us for another year makes you yearn for the road to be longer. Next June we’ll making more miles of memories to and from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

 

For more information:

Cruiser Club, USA: www.CruiserClubUSA.org
Fontana Village Resort: www.fontanavillage.com

To read more of my motorcycle stories, you can check out my Motorcycle Blog at:

www.Blogspot.RodneysMCBlog.com