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| We'll be transitioning all of our blogs and slide shows over the next few weeks to an easier blog format. Here's the link to the new blog where you can, read view some of the slides and blog now: http://tnroadrider.wordpress.com/ Please feel to leave your comments.
Back in October I assisted our lions Club in our, "After Christmas Hungry Family," fund raiser that helps provide food to hungry families in January when the other pantries are empty or nearly so. Also two days after the Poker Run we done our annual vision and hearing screening of children at the liberty School, Shelbyville, TN. If any of the children's families need assistance in providng glasses or hearing aids, we try to help with all that need our assistance. Most people don't realize that 100% of the proceeds from our fund raisers goes to the project it was designated for. We hope you will keep this in mind and join us on our third annual Poker run, the second saturday of October in 2012. April 14, 2011  It's bright with a few clouds and the temp is just right for riding as we head to Tullahoma to join three couples for the ride to Spring Fling. In Tullahoma we join Chapter Directors Rich & Ann, Pat & Shirley and Dennis & Ann for the 235 mile ride to Sevierville.
After checking in at our motel we ride down to the fair grounds to register and meet & greet old new friends we've met since joining the GWRRA and checking out the vendors before joining up with the reest of our group for dinner at the Chop House. Most of the day on Friday was spendt watching the costume judging and attending the Road Captain, Accident response and Mature Rider seminars. After that we called it an early evening as rain was threatening, so grab a hamburger and headed for the motel just in time to get the trike covered and inside before the rain started. Next morning (Saturday) broke with wind and clouds and by the time we finished breakfast it had warmed up several degrees and decided to head home, Shirl texted Ann to let her know our plans before heading for home. The trip was off to great start warm and sunny,but by the time we were west of Knoxville it was getting cloudy and the tempurate had dropped several degrees and light misty rain starting falling. We finally pulled into a gas station at Crossville and decided to put on our rain gear as the temperurate had dropped into the low 40s'. We dropped off the expressway to head down through Cookville, Sparta, McMinnville and thennManchester, then onto to Shelbyville home. Two-hundredthrityfour miles for our return trip home, now for a quiet nap.... May 17, 2011 This is from a recent ride Shirley took on our Trike, She road her Silverwing and I road our Roadsmith trike towing our trailer to Ottoc, NC. A fun ride with lots of mountain riding and just shy of 1,000 miles round-trip.
April 7, 2011 "The Great Moonshine Hamburger Lunch Rally Now that the dust has settled and had time to put away the riding gear, it's time to reflect on the 7th Moonshine Hamburger Lunch Rally. You sure missed out on a great rally and ride, gotta think about setting more days aside for next year for a long stay as there was more going on than we knew about! Shirl & I left Friday April 8th a little before 8AM for Moonshine, not a bad days ride, just 347 miles. The morning started with a grey overcast, but warm so it was a pleasant ride with the liners out of our mesh jackets. Heading East into Shelbyville on Hyway 64, then N on 231 to Murfreesboro and then I-24, we quickly left Nashville behind and enjoyed the scenry heading towards Clarksville. The Red Buds still had they're vibrant Purplish-pink coats on with the Dogwoods showing brilliant white and many shades of green as various shrubs and trees were starting to show this years new coat. We were soon heading N on the Pennyrile Pkway towards Indiana enjoying the countryside of Kentucky with lots of rolling hills and horse farms, not to different than back in Bedford County. soon we were crossing into to Indiana on 41A stopping for gas and to stretching our legs and give our butts a break in Vincennes and onto Terre Haute before heading SW towards Moonshine (Casey, IL). Luckily I updated our GPS before leaving and we were able to ride right to the Moonshine Store without getting lost because the store is out in the middle of no-where and only the locals would know where it is. We arrived at the store around 1PM and a couple riders from California were chatting with Helen Tuttle one of the owners who does most of the cooking and shuts the grill off at 12:30 PM everyday. Short time later we followed one of the riders back into Casey to the Comfort Inn and was able to great a room when another rider cancelled his room so we could have it. Never amazes me how you always run into another rider willing to help out or give us something while riding. After settling in and grabbing a couple of Sub sandwiches we called it an early evening. 5AM, April 9th, we awoke to thunder, lighting and rain, oh, no! We showered and head downstairs for breakfast and to find Edna "The sweet roll Lady," Edna bakes fresh rolls and cinnamon rolls every year and donates the proceeds to one of the local charities, which by the way are pretty darn good! We struck up a conversation with another rider, who broke out his laptop to check the weather, while we watch dozens of very wet riders coming in. As we checked the weather report and radar we determined by 9AM it should pass us, sure enough it did, so we uncovered the trike and didn't have to put our rain gear on. By 9:30 we had covered to 11 miles from Casey back out to Moonshine (population 2). Even though we were early, several hundred bikes had arrived just ahead of us, we milled around for awhile taking some pictures and observing the license plates from states far and wide. We ordered our hamburgers, loaded mind up and found a place to munch our burgers and I must say they were pretty darn good! They cook them on big old-fashioned flat-top grills. We took a few more pictures and decided to head out as we still had about 300 hundred miles to ride yet that day to get to Lexington, KY. As we left, we observed that the 4-way intersection had bikes parked all four ways for nearly 1/2 mile, and we only saw one other trike besides ours there. The trip across took us back down Vincennes and then into Louisville from the West, we've never been to Louisville that way before and it's a great skyline and interesting to observe. We continued onto Lexington, Ky and stopping for the night. Found a decent Comfort Inn with a good restaurant next door, so call it a day. Had some pretty good ribs and headed to room to catch the early news and weather. After watching the weather we decided to change our route to get home early Sunday afternoon, rather than the longer route as they were saying heavy rain was possible on the route we were going to take. Sunday morning, April 10th, sunny & bright with warm temps, so had a quick breakfast and headed across towards Nashville to get home, arriving home around 1PM without having to don any rain gear and 80 degrees. (wish we had taken the longer route, anyway there's always another day to ride.) All-in-All a great ride of 915 miles, would we do it again? Yes, definitely, would go earlier and stay longer as they had a lot of activities and ride the extra distance from Lexington down to Knoxville and then home. You may have missed a great experience for this year, but let's planned on next year. Hope to see some of you at the Spring Fling! Here's a link to Moonshine that will give all the stats and info about the annual event: http://moonshine-run.com/Moonshine/ Will we see you next year on april 14, 2012?
November 1,
2010 What Has at least 10,000 L’s & Rs’ And 1078 Ms’? The answer is; five days of glorious fall riding to the Smoky Mountains Nat’l Park, Cherokee and Nantahala Nation Forests and three states. We traveled a total of 1078 miles in five days and negotiated at least 10,000 turns, twisties and switch-backs,and up and down numerous mountains. We began our adventure on Wednesday, October 27th leaving home at 8:15 AM under gray skies. Heading down 41A to Tullahoma and then across Arnold’s Air Force base to I-24. While it was in the 60s’ it was comfortable riding in our leathers and we stopped just before Monteagle to gas up, which will get us to Tellico Plains where we’ll base our riding from this week. About twenty-five miles north of Chattanooga light rain begins to fall, so we decide to find the nearest Cracker Barrel for breakfast, Shirl had talked to our daughter while we were gassing up, she said, “it’s just a narrow band and you should be out of it shortly.” Sure enough, as we finished breakfast the rain had stopped. That lasted a couple miles and it started raining again, should we put rain gear on or not? It was now in the 70s’ and more mist than soaking rain so we continued on without, enjoying the scenery as we got off I-75 and continued Eastward on 64 toward Cleveland and then 411 North to Etowah and then East again on 310 and 39 to Tellico Plains. This is great section of twists and turns and up and down a few foothills and still had lots of color in the trees to enjoy, just a great preview of God’s handiwork for this year. We arrived at Caney Creek Cabins about six miles out of T.P. on 360 a little after 1PM. As we arrived, the rain had stopped and we unpacked and settled down for a short rest. About 4:30 PM we decided it was time to go for dinner, having skipped lunch, so we headed North out of the grounds on 360 which runs through the foothills of the Cherokee Forest and twenty miles later we in Vonroe at Pizzeria Venti’s for all you can eat salad, drink and enough great pizza left over for the next day for a mere $20.00! With our tummies full we decide on riding south on 411 to Madisonville and then take 68 back to T.P. We make it back to cabin just before dark and settle in for a good night’s sleep as we’re headed to the Dragon’s Tail and the Cherohala Skyway tomorrow. Thursday, October 28th We’re up and having coffee by 7AM, but the mountains are fogged in, so we sit back have another cup of coffee and just before 8AM the fog starts lifting so put on our leathers and ride into T.P. and have breakfast at the Town Square Café, reasonable prices and good breakfastchoices. We head North on 68 again to 411 to Marysville for our run down 129 (Dragon’s Tail). It a great morning for riding and soon we’re on 129 enjoying God’s handiwork again as we have a few more miles of gentle riding before the Dragon’s Tail begins. Suddenly it’s left turn. Right turn, twisty and then a switchback and this is the way the rest of the eleven miles to Deal’s Gap is, 11 miles and 318 curves! Don’t get me wrong the entire 11 miles is more than the curves with some great overlooks to stop and enjoy the views and chat with other riders about their experiences and bikes and then off again to complete the course to Deal’s Gap. We stopped at Deal’s Gap Restaurant/Resort for a short pit stop and rest before heading south again. Didn’t see the Tree of Shame, so don’t know if they took it down or not. It was a good morning to ride the Dragon as not a lot of Crotch rockets to contend with and only one Semi was going north. The ride south from Deal’s Gap on 129 can be just about as challenging as the 11 miles of the Dragon, but again the scenery and colors are worth every turn you take, hard remember at times you’re on three wheels and need to watch the road, oh, well, I can look at the pictures when we get home and relive the turns, mountains and beauty our creator has given us to enjoy. Soon we arrive in Robbinsville and miss the sign for the turn to the Skyway, so we continue on south to the junction of 19/74. Not wanting to admit I missed our turn in Robbinsville, I mumble under my breath about getting the atlas out to see if there’s a better to get to the Cherohala Skyway. It was decided we would go back north to Robbinsville, have lunch, then pick up highway 143 which is the skyway, finally I spy a little Skyway sign hung between two larger route signs so we hang a left and head west on 143, once again enjoying the scenery noticing at higher elevation the trees are devoid of their leaves, the lower elevation still have good color and oaks are hanging onto their leaves. It’s noticeably colder here, but we decide not to put the chaps on. We reach the highest elevation at 5390 feet and then continue our descent into Tennessee on 165 to T.P. It was warmer as we rode into Tennessee and warmer as the elevation dropped down, Tennessee side has much nicer colors and great overlooks to enjoy the scenery, we found the same was true with the color last year with TN having better colors, even the higher elevation has great colors. It was almost too warmer for the jackets as we got back into T.P. Not a lot miles today, 180 miles compared to 240 for yesterday, but this was a real work-out with the 1,000’s of curves, twisties and switchbacks, worth every mile and tired muscle for we have the greatest places in world to enjoy the great outdoors on two or three wheels. Friday, October 29th We want to get an early start this morning, but heavy dew and fog surrounds us and we wait a bit for the sun to peek over the mountains to warm the valleys and dissipate the fog. A quick stop at the Bakery on the Square a Homemade Cinnamon roll and Cherry turnover and washed down by coffee gets us ready for our ride into N.C. today. Soon we’re heading south out of T.P. heading south on 68 to Ducktown. We starting enjoying the fall palette as we cruise through Coker Creek and into the deep pine forest, really cool here, as sun hasn’t yet reached down between the tall pines but the leathers do their job and we ride in good comfort as we make our way through Farner and Turtletown into Ducktown. We’re now heading east on 64 and shortly will be in N.C. it’s great road with easy riding makes it a quick ride to Franklin and then we’ll turn south on 441 to Otto. Shirl wants to make a brief stop at her friend, Rae’s house in Otto, but she’s not home, so we continue S. into Dillard, GA to 106 to ride up to Highlands. Not a long ride, but very scenic and keeps you on your toes. We take a brief break at Glenn Falls and continue on into Highlands, sure looks like an expensive place to live, as they say, “location, location, location.” We pick-up 28, passing Scaly Mountain Ski Area and stopping at Bridal Veil Falls for a couple quick pics before continuing on to Franklin. We stop for lunch and find out later, Shirl’s friend & daughter were having lunch across the road from us about the same we had lunch at the Huddle House. We pick up 64 again going west back to 68 at Ducktown and north back to T.P. It’s always amazing how different the scenery is going the oppose direction, the colors seemed to be more numerous and bright and the sky bluer than when we came east earlier. It’ getting to be late afternoon and it’s getting cool, so we stop and slip are chaps on for a comfortable ride back to Cabin at Caney Creek. It makes you wonder year after year how the colors can be so splendid but always different each year. The old expression really applies, “you had to be there to appreciate the grandeur of our mountains.” A marvelous 270 miles today, we’re off the Smoky Mountains Nat’l Park tomorrow, wonder what it will bring? Saturday, October 30th. We are up later this morning, it’s cold and heater is running in the cabin as there’s heavy frost outside covering everything. Would guess it to be 30 degrees, but will warm up fast as sun gets above the mountain tops. We leave after having coffee and toast at 10:30 AM heading N on 360 to Vonroe and 411 to Marysville. We take 321 to the park veer right towards Cades Cove in itself is a great ride, slow with scenic views of the many colors of fall along side of us are rushing waters that tumbles down off the mountain. The eleven mile circle through Cades Cove is worth the drive, but this time of years with the color changes it will over two hours to make the circle. You’ll spend most of you time in 1st & 2nd gear and watch out for the frequent stoppers! The views of the meadows as they run off into the distance to meet the mountains is worth the trip and you will never know what wild life you will see. This time we only saw six deer, early this year we spotted bear up in the trees, turkeys, deer and various other birds, but no either time were there any elk. Leaving Cades Cove we exited the park at Sugarlands and headed up 441 to Gatlinburg, just how do describe the beauty you see, every imaginable color of reds, yellows, greens, browns and other shades and then throw in rushing water with lots of rapids and you have the eighteen miles to Gatlinburg. It’s not a fast drive as there plenty of curves and tight turns to keep the speed at about 35-40 MPH, but who cares, your eyes almost get tired looking at the hills & mountains sides as slip pass you they show off their many colors. We find the Old Mill Restaurant we ate at this summer and still lots of people waiting to get in, the food was just as good as this summer. Leaving the returant we stop at the corner to browse the Leather outfitters before heading N. on 441 to 411 and back down through Marysville to Vonroe and 360 S. to our Cabin. A lot of seat time today to cover the 220 miles. Early to bed as we head home tomorrow. Sunday, October 31st We’re up by 7AM, pack and have a couple cups of coffee and elect for a late breakfast on the north-side of Chattanooga. About 11:30AM we have breakfast and gas up the trike in S. Pittsburgh and 1 ½ hours later we home. The ride from T.P. to Cleveland was quiet and serene with the colors holding on for one last show. From Cleveland to Monteagle there’s lots of traffic so I can’t enjoy the scenery quite as much. It was one of the best 1078 miles of five days of riding we’ve ever done, the only thing to make it better would have been a dozen or so bikes and trikes with familiar faces on them.
9/10/10 Around the World in 80 Days, nope, around the perimeter of Tennesse in 3 Days 09/09/10 Time to get ready for the Chapter G R&D and think about the perimeter of Tennessee Ride. Great dinner at the new Mexican Restaurant in Cowan, enjoy the food and the ride, Now it’s time to get some shut-eye as we got to be in Kimball TN by 7 am tomorrow. 09-10-10 Does 4 am really come that early? We’re off and running, a great morning for riding, just a mere 70 miles and we arrive at the Holiday Inn at 06:30. By 0700 we grouped up in four groups with ten bikes per group and 70-72 riders/co-riders. We headed N on I-24 to Monteagle to Fayetteville and a rest stop then Lawrenceburg where we gassed up. At Lawrenceburg we headed south on 43 to Florence, AL and a rest stop and then heading west into Mississippi around noon-time and stopping for a lunch break in Corinth, MS having traveled 290 miles. We then turn north and reentered Tennessee and continued to Collierville for gas. Thirty miles later we’re in Arkansas and then stopping for a break in Blytheville, AR, it’s been great riding so for, but is warming fast and some great scenery another nine miles and we’re back in Tennessee heading for Union City and stop for the night. Five-hundredthiry miles and we’re tired ready to eat and we’ll turn in early. All in all a great day of riding, tomorrow promise to be even greater scenery. So far no one has had any major bike problems. 09/11/10 – Saturday Everyone’s’ up and ready to ride and before kickstands up, we gather for a silent prayer for those who lost their lives on this date in New York. Our route today starts with US-51/45 north, KY-94 east and we’ll be in Kentucky and on KY-94 east, US-68 east 105 to Hopkinsville, after 105 miles for a rest-stop. The scenery looks like it’s only going to get better with each mile. We gas up in Franklin, KY continuing on 202US 31W south, TN 109 south, TN-52 east back into TN and headed for Lafayette and lunch. We continue on east on Hyway 52, stopping in Celina for a rest stop and then to Jamestown for a quick DQ. As we’re about to leave weather looks threatening so we put on the rain gear and hardly get in third gear and a brief, heavy rain starts falling after a couple of miles it lets up for a few miles and starts again. That was some challenging ride , especially for the two-wheelers forty miles in the rain and mountains and twist and turns. After finishing about 350 miles today we arrived in Caryville. Caryville is located NW of Knoxville right I-75 nestled down in valley with mountains around it. It’s an are worth returning to for some great riding and I don’t think it takes a back-seat to the Smokies! After checking to our motel, we walked down the road a short distance to a Japanese restaurant and had a great meal, no burgers tonight! An early evening again, we leave at 0800 Eastern time tomorrow. We’ve logged about 880 miles so forth. 09/12/10 Final leg of the perimeter. Everyone is up, fed, and gassed up ready to roll out. We group up into our four riding groups, everyones’ with us and no problems from the rainy weather yesterday. This looks like it’s going to be the greatest day of our ride with plenty of mountains, twist and turns to enjoy. We’re now heading north to Virginia on TN-63 east, US-25E north, US-58 east. We take a rest break in Jonesville, VA and then we’ll taking US-58 east, US-421 south, US-23 south to Kingsport, TN and gas. The scenery is not disappointing and you have to be here to appreciate as I just can’t adequately describe it. One hundred-seventy-four mile later we roll across the border into North Carolina using I-26 east, I-40 west, Us-23 south to Elijay, NC for gas. I can only tell you my eyes are getting tired, just too much to look at and keeping the eyes on the road. We now heading west on 64 with the groups going into Hiawassee, GA for a DQ then back North to 64. We don’t go with them as Shirl’s getting back spasms and wants to get back to Kimball, so we stop in Cleveland for gas a brief rest and then continue south h on I75 to I24. We arrived back at the Holiday Inn and 1 ½ hours ahead of the group and decide to spend the night and finish the ride in the morning. We logged 452 miles today. We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant within walking distance with most of the group we rode in and called in an early night again. 0913/10, 0630 what a great morning, a quick breakfast and seventy miles of beautiful country riding and we’re home. 1402 miles took us around the perimeter of Tennessee and in nine states in just three days. It was a demanding ride, but, as they say, “I’d do it again.” 9/6/10 This was the maiden voyage ride for Shirley on her Silverwing after have aced her motorcyle test. This was her first long ride, nearly 400 miles. What way to go Nanna! Shirley got to start in the lead for this day's ride which would take us to Theta, then Leipers Fork and then on the Natchez Trace Parkway south to Collinswood. From there we headed in Florence, AL to pick up 72 to I-65 to Cornersviile to Lewisburg and home. 8/18/10 Tomorrow morning we’ll be up early and ready to start our journey with Steve & Gloria Morrison for our trek to Branson to attend the International Trike Rally. Looks like the weather will cooperate and we’ll be able to avoid the rain leaving Tennessee. 8/19/10 At five minutes to three AM as, we’re donning our rain gear (apparently the rain fairy didn’t read last night’s forecast), Steve & Gloria arrive and we’re off heading west of Highway 64 to 31A to Lewisburg where we’ll gas up and head west on Highway 50 to Columbia to pick up 412 for most of or trip to Branson. It’s quiet riding at this time of morning and few vehicles to contend with, as we continue west the light rain continues and as we near Hampshire we starting encountering light fog and it continues all the way to Dyersburg, TN where the rain starts dissipating. We decide to stop for gas and get some breakfast. After breakfast we’re able to remove our raingear and ride with comfort as the sun is coming up and it’s beautiful as the sun is coming up as we approach the Mississippi to cross into Arkansas and continue following 412 westward across Arkansas until we reach Highway 63, and turn north to connect with 160 for the rest of the journey to Branson. It has really gotten warm fast and we stop a couple of times to re-hydrate and rest. The last 80 miles should have taken 1-1/2 hours, but with the mountains and all the traffic and the twist and turns it takes nearly four hours! (Steve later tells me that the temps hit 101 on his bike.) We roll into the Area 57 Ramada, get our rooms and walk down to the Rally registration office and then head back up to lodge to rest a bit before finding something for supper. I knew it’s going to be an early evening as we’re burned out from the long ride and heat. Mel & Joyce roll in around 6:30 PM, so we chat for awhile and decide we’re tired and turn in for an early night.
8/20/10 Today is an easy day, with visits to vendor area, and of course who can wander through the vendors without finding something you just got to have. Shirl finds a “Gold” lady bike Cap and it turns out to be just k finally arrived and we settled down to watch the light show, it still amazes me how some still find a place to put another strip of lights to accent the trike. The winner of the light show also won the best paint job.
8/21/10 It’s 6:00 AM, time to head down to restaurant and wait for the doors open so we can eat before heading to the range course. The course was only a short ride for the hotel to Baldknobbers’. As we arrive a few other are there, shortly after seven we’re ready to start. l With the help of two other instructors, Kay puts the 13 riders and co-riders through the exercises. We practiced everything from steering to swerving to avoid objects. Our instructors stressed the importance of scanning the ahead and anticipate what we see and be prepared to take whatever course of action is needed. They reminded us to always look where we’re going and turning our heads in the direction we’re going or turning. One thing that really stuck in my mind was in fast braking was to try and keep from sliding the wheels and make the trike “squat,” straighten the front wheel as quickly as possible for as straight as possible stop, once the wheels start sliding, we’re losing traction. Four hours later we complete the course and are awarded our advance trike ride/co-rider card. ike the one Joyce had brought awhile earlier. We chilled out for awhile after having lunch to await our classroom portion of the Advance Trike Rider/coRider Course. We were thoroughly impressed with the instructor, Kay, she was through and knew the information and presented it well. Upon completion we decide to grab supper and kick back for a awhile to await the light show.
After lunch it’s time to catch a nap and rest up for the Closing Ceremonies. We weren't the big winners, although Steve and Gloria didn’t win a couple pair of earrings, I think the one pair will look good on Steve, LOL! Now it’s time to finishing packing for the return trip home as we plan on leaving at 2:00 AM to take advantage of the cooler temps.
8/22/10 Boy, 1:00 AM sure come fast, we ready and packed, we check-out and we’re on our way by 2:00 AM with Steve & Gloria leading south on 65. Mel and Joyce elect for a later start, don’t know if they took two days or not to go home. If you haven’t ridden on a Moon lit mountain in early morning then, you’ve missed one of the great pleasures of riding. We marveled at the brightly lit landscape, the mountains and hills take on a new perspective in the shadows, then ride up on a mountain and you look down into the valley and see the lights of a small town asleep and while we quietly glide across the mountain tops. We gassed-up just north of Little Rock and continued on south to pick-up I-40 to Memphis and then onto Jackson to pick up 412 back to Columbia and 50 to Lewisburg and 31A to 64 home. Even with the heat we still had a great time and would do it again. Because riding with friends always adds to the fun and enjoyment of riding. We arrived home shortly after noon having ridden 1050 miles total.
Headin’ for the Smokies Tuesday, July 27, 2010 We’re off to a later start this ride as we have to join up with riding friends, Dave & Nancy Nickerson in Shelbyville before heading for Tellico Plains. Dave’s first question was, where can we stop for breakfast? I replied, “let’s get to Monteagle first and see.” After a leisurely breakfast we headed on down I-24 to Chattanooga and around to I-75 to Exit 20 near Cleveland, Tn and gassed up for remaining miles to Tellico Plains. Heading east on 64/74 to 411N and then connecting with 310 which turns into 39 and dumping out on 68 at Tellico Plains. Deciding to find Conasuga Falls we headed south out of Tellico on 68 and found the road to the falls, first third of the way up is blacktop, but then turns to gravel with large crusher run rocks. I don’t recommend this road for two wheelers at all, steep, twisting loose rocks and no guard rails. It’s a difficult ride to the parking area even on a trike. Never did get to the falls, I walked ¼ miles never saw or heard the falls, so scratch this one from your list of sites to see. Dave’s Voyager started overheating and losing water so he stopped 2/3 of the way up and waited for us to come back down. We made to the Cabins on Caney Creek okay and decided to rest up for a couple of hours before venturing out for dinner. About 6PM we decide to head north on 360 to Vonroe for some of the best pizza you’ll find in Tennessee, we didn’t make it there. About five miles from the cabins Dave’s Voyager started losing water again, so we stopped and assessed the situation and decided it was best to find a place to park his bike for the night and get back to Cabin. So I rode Shirl back to our cabin, rode back to the bike got Nancy took her back and then went and got Dave. Dave & I rode to town on our trike to get food and got a couple tips where we might get Dave’s Voyager fixed tomorrow morning. Upon returning to Camp we talked to owner and told her what was going on and she generously offered her truck for transportation the next day, didn’t want a penny. So God does look down on us once in awhile and there are good Christian folks still out there. We’ll see what tomorrow brings. Wednesday, July 28th Up early and the mountains are covered with smoke (fog) takes an hour or so for the fog to lift enough to see to drive in to town. After breakfast on the Square, we went to search a couple repair shops the waitress told us about, turns out, they’re are closed on Wednesdays. The closest big cities were Chattanooga and of course Knoxville, too time consuming and costly to rent a trailer and drive the distance to find out they might not be able to help. So Dave decided to check-out a car rental so we could site-see together. Upon contact the gentleman, he asked if had something he could rent, he said, Yap, got a “Yugo,” after Dave recovered, he asked, “how much?” The reply was, “Oh, just an arm and a leg.” Turns out the gentleman, said “nothing” and keep it as long as you need, I’m going to Gulf Shores for vacation and return it when you’re done. So we decided to head out the Bald River Falls and drive some of the Cherohala Skyway and the falls as usual was putting it’s noisy and spectacular display and what can you say about the skyway, it’s always impressive, but always different depending on the time of year. As it was great later so we turned head back towards Tellico Plains taking Highway 360 to Vonroe for dinner. This time we arrived at Pizza Venti for the best pizza in Tennessee. Pizza for four was $20.00 plus tax, included pizza made four different ways, unlimited salad and drinks. I find this pizza ranks right up there with the best pizza that can be found in Chicago! Thursday, July 29th We up early and eager to do some more sight-seeing, so jump in the “Yugo,” actually a 2000 Taurus to see Cades Cove and Pigeon Forge. We done the 11 mile scenic drive through the Coves and spectacular views across large meadows with the mountains as a backdrop, with bears in the trees, turkey working they’re way through the grass and deer browsing in the meadows, but didn’t spot any elk. After exiting at Meadowlands we head on up to Pigeon Forge for lunch and to gawk at the tourist attractions. Lunch was at the Old Mill Restaurant and the food was great with a wide variety to choose from. Three of us had the Chicken and dumplings and Nancy had Pork Chops, hate to say it, but mother couldn’t have made better Chicken and dumplings. Deciding we had enough of the hustle and bustle of the big city we head back down 411 to 360 back to the cabins. Upon arriving at the cabins the owner greets us and after a brief discussion says because of our problems, Thursday night and Friday were on her! Could you ask for more? Friday, July 30th Up early, Dave & Nancy in their “Yugo” are off for home to get their truck and trailer to get his Voyager, we leave a short time later and ride to Chattanooga for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and then down around on I-75 to to I-24, stopping in Monteagle for gas and arriving home about noon after quiet and beautiful ride from Tellico Plains. A great ride with a few problems, but easily outcome with the help of the great people of the Tellico Plains area. |
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