Highest Points trip Ch 3 (last)
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
Highest Points trip Ch 3 (last)
Waking up in Abigdon, Va on the third day of our trip and the weather is much warmer than the last two days. We need to make up some time to get to our last two destinations, with the first being Clingmans Dome el 6,643’ in Tenn, so we head out on interstate 81 south towards Knoxville.
Getting off at the exit for Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg Rt. 441 south, I am taken back by the commercialism that is the gateway to this beautiful area. We arrive dressed warm in full leather and it doesn’t take long before Buz and I need to take off the leather for the stop go traffic in this tourist trap. Yea, I know I will probably get flamed for that comment but, I just couldn’t help thinking about all the business’s along this route that are there for the vacationer that needs a reason to spend some money. In all fairness to the people that live there, it seems like a lot people are being employed and it did seem like a nice place to take the family (especially for kids) for vacation. Continuing on to Gatlinburg was more of the same only more up scale but, you are dealing with only a two lane city street loaded with traffic and people. Nice place to visit I am sure but, we are on a mission (so to speak) and Clingmans Dome is calling us so, we just pass through.
Tennessee has done a great job with the Great Smokey Mtn N.P. and the roads and scenery were just awesome going to the top, with smooth roads and curves to match. There is more traffic on this road so paying attention to cagers is a must. And speaking of paying attention, I am noticing other riders coming down the hill waving their arms to slow down, what’s going on I wonder? We round this curve and find cars and motorcycles stopped along the road and then I notice the black BEAR ! Of course everyone has to stop for pictures, including us and then it dawns on me this is a BABY bear. Being an outdoorsman I know mama bear can’t be to far away and here Buz and I are out in the open with no car to hide in, we move on. At the top you find a very nice parking area with everyone taking in the grand sights with the ceremonial picture taking.
Down the mountain we go with the sun shining brightly and the views around every turn just adding to the visual delights at the top. Getting to the intersection that takes us to Cherokee, N.C. we turn south again on 441. This section of road without a doubt was so perfect in everyway that it has to be nominated as the perfect road for motorcyclist. It was so smooth and curves so gradual, with perfectly manicured grass along the road as you head down in elevation, “wow, I said to myself at least a dozen times”.
Having been to Cherokee before, I notice more development has been done and the town is busy, just wish it wasn’t a dry county as Buz and I would like to have something to quench our thirst. We end up just outside the county at the local Starvin Marvin, where Buz meets the colorful owner. After our purchase he even says, “ Go ahead and use my rest stop over across the road”, which we do, complete with picnic tables.
Now we are off to the last point on our trip, Mt. Mitchell, N.C. We have to again make some time up and use the interstate 40 east just past Asheville, N.C. In order to get to this point we must get on Skyline Drive going north. After a few miles we find the road is rough and repairs are being made with loose gravel everywhere on the road and I remember thinking “ take it slow, watch those curves”. Soon we get to better pavement but, now it’s starting to get colder and light rain as we go up in elevation. Going up to the top it reminds me of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, going through the clouds. At the top we find a nice parking area with restrooms and a concession stand. The cool clouds are misting through the parking area and taking pictures is hard but, we manage to get some as the clouds come and go. We decide to get a cup of coffee at the stand and toast our accomplishment of six highest points, in six states, in just three days.
The road down the mountain gets hairy as we take the shortest route using 80 south to catch 40 east again. Well the road is wet, real curvy with hairpin turns and you have to pay attention, it would be challenging even on a dry road but, the wet roads makes it almost daring and we use 1st and 2nd gear a lot.
We end up in Wytheville, VA for the last night at about 8 pm and we are pretty tired. We have ridden over 1,265 miles on curvy two lane roads and interstate over three days, with one more day ride back on 77 north. We head out the next morning for the last 440 miles to get home and take the interstate.
The trip was a total of 1,705 miles for us and with no problems to report, was a success. We can add this trip to the highest points with the other states we have been to. When we remember this trip by two old retired guys, we will remember the journey, as the destination was but, a mere few minutes at each location. So, where are you going on your next journey?
More pics below. You can use the search to find the other two chapters.
Getting off at the exit for Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg Rt. 441 south, I am taken back by the commercialism that is the gateway to this beautiful area. We arrive dressed warm in full leather and it doesn’t take long before Buz and I need to take off the leather for the stop go traffic in this tourist trap. Yea, I know I will probably get flamed for that comment but, I just couldn’t help thinking about all the business’s along this route that are there for the vacationer that needs a reason to spend some money. In all fairness to the people that live there, it seems like a lot people are being employed and it did seem like a nice place to take the family (especially for kids) for vacation. Continuing on to Gatlinburg was more of the same only more up scale but, you are dealing with only a two lane city street loaded with traffic and people. Nice place to visit I am sure but, we are on a mission (so to speak) and Clingmans Dome is calling us so, we just pass through.
Tennessee has done a great job with the Great Smokey Mtn N.P. and the roads and scenery were just awesome going to the top, with smooth roads and curves to match. There is more traffic on this road so paying attention to cagers is a must. And speaking of paying attention, I am noticing other riders coming down the hill waving their arms to slow down, what’s going on I wonder? We round this curve and find cars and motorcycles stopped along the road and then I notice the black BEAR ! Of course everyone has to stop for pictures, including us and then it dawns on me this is a BABY bear. Being an outdoorsman I know mama bear can’t be to far away and here Buz and I are out in the open with no car to hide in, we move on. At the top you find a very nice parking area with everyone taking in the grand sights with the ceremonial picture taking.
Down the mountain we go with the sun shining brightly and the views around every turn just adding to the visual delights at the top. Getting to the intersection that takes us to Cherokee, N.C. we turn south again on 441. This section of road without a doubt was so perfect in everyway that it has to be nominated as the perfect road for motorcyclist. It was so smooth and curves so gradual, with perfectly manicured grass along the road as you head down in elevation, “wow, I said to myself at least a dozen times”.
Having been to Cherokee before, I notice more development has been done and the town is busy, just wish it wasn’t a dry county as Buz and I would like to have something to quench our thirst. We end up just outside the county at the local Starvin Marvin, where Buz meets the colorful owner. After our purchase he even says, “ Go ahead and use my rest stop over across the road”, which we do, complete with picnic tables.
Now we are off to the last point on our trip, Mt. Mitchell, N.C. We have to again make some time up and use the interstate 40 east just past Asheville, N.C. In order to get to this point we must get on Skyline Drive going north. After a few miles we find the road is rough and repairs are being made with loose gravel everywhere on the road and I remember thinking “ take it slow, watch those curves”. Soon we get to better pavement but, now it’s starting to get colder and light rain as we go up in elevation. Going up to the top it reminds me of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire, going through the clouds. At the top we find a nice parking area with restrooms and a concession stand. The cool clouds are misting through the parking area and taking pictures is hard but, we manage to get some as the clouds come and go. We decide to get a cup of coffee at the stand and toast our accomplishment of six highest points, in six states, in just three days.
The road down the mountain gets hairy as we take the shortest route using 80 south to catch 40 east again. Well the road is wet, real curvy with hairpin turns and you have to pay attention, it would be challenging even on a dry road but, the wet roads makes it almost daring and we use 1st and 2nd gear a lot.
We end up in Wytheville, VA for the last night at about 8 pm and we are pretty tired. We have ridden over 1,265 miles on curvy two lane roads and interstate over three days, with one more day ride back on 77 north. We head out the next morning for the last 440 miles to get home and take the interstate.
The trip was a total of 1,705 miles for us and with no problems to report, was a success. We can add this trip to the highest points with the other states we have been to. When we remember this trip by two old retired guys, we will remember the journey, as the destination was but, a mere few minutes at each location. So, where are you going on your next journey?
More pics below. You can use the search to find the other two chapters.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
