I worked really hard yesterday at son's house burning limbs and trees that had fallen during storms. Being around a fire all day that was hot enough to fry your hot dog, scorch your buns, melt your marshmellows and drizzle your Smores was not what I call a great relaxing day. The best part was sitting in the shade as once the pile was ignited I had to stay there until it died out or I put it out. The race was on.
This pile was approx. 5' high, 8' wide and 15' long consisting of small twigs, limbs and tree trunks cut into 18" lengths about 18" in diameter. Oh, and as an assist to the 3 qts. of charcoal starter fluid I used, I threw in an old fir Christmas tree. Boy, did that ever more kick the flames into high gear. Started ignition at 8:35 a.m.
This was my Fire Watch Station, folding chair, waterhose energized, bottle of water, banana for breakfast, and a snack bar. Later had two slices of leftover pizza for lunch. Started spraying water on remainder of material at 4:30 p.m. All out by 4:50. Left for the house, some additional water, a hot bath and dinner.
I had already arranged to meet my riding buddy, Paul, at MickyDs at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, for a ride. Since I had fueled up my bike the night before, I popped out of bed at 6:45 a.m., donned my riding gear, fed the dog, retrieved the paper and backed Sweet Thang out of the garage at 7:20. Oops. Slight snag, the garage door won't close with the remote. Ran back into the house, grabbed a new battery from the frig and tried it again. No dice. Tried the button by the door and it wouldn't make the door go down unless you held the button. Drats, time's awasting. Lowered the door by the button, went out the front door and back onto the bike. Will worry about getting back in later.
So I pulled out of the subdivision and headed up Boyds Creek Hwy. to MDs. About half way between my house and Chapman Hwy. is a miracle of thought all rolled into a wad. You see, they put a primary, an elementary, a Jr. High, and a High School all in the same locale, two on each side of a two lane hwy. with two very short turn lanes, one in each direction. Dumb doesn't really describe the situation. It takes 4 Deputy Sheriffs twice daily to direct the traffic jamb created by this magnificent decision.
Rolled into MDs lot, parked right behind biker buddy. We both were early intentionally, so we could get breakfast before the ride started. And low and behold, another bike was there, friend Alvin, and he was going with us also. Great fellow. Rides a Harley. Paul rides a Burgman 400 Scooter and me on the Valkyrie. Then he says we will be meeting up with Randy at the BP Station in Walland, about a 30 minute ride away. And that we did and since we were early there I got my second cup of coffee.
I forgot to mention that it was rather foggy this morning when we left Seymour and was still a little foggy when we arrived at Walland. Most of the fog was above the roadway so didn't interfere with riding. This picture is the bridge to no where but was once the bridge crossing the river on the old road.
If you look real hard you can see the outline of the mountain in the fog. This was looking West from where we were parked.
By now Randy had arrived and all 4 bikes were lined up. Randy rides a Suzuki 650 VStrom, a really neat bike and showroom clean.
Just a short way up US 321, which would take you into the Smoky Mtn. Nat. Park, we turned off onto the Foothills parkway which is a beautiful ride over the mountain and will put us onto US 129, The Dragon, at Chillhowee Lake. This lake is due to a hydro-electric dam owned by TVA, one of many in TN and NC. The speed limit on the Foothills is 45 mph, great surface and beautiful scenery. It was a cool ride today.
We will ride along the lake for a ways and then it becomes just a river finally disappearing when we start hitting the curves of The Dragon. Switchbacks, continuously for 11 miles, total of 318 curves ending at Deal's Gap on the NC side of the mountain. Riders come from all over the world to ride this piece of asphalt considered to be one of the Top Ten Motorcycle Rodes in the World. And one or two die each year.
You don't have time to take pictures while riding The Dragon, or at least I don't, as you're concentrating on successfully making the next curve. The picture to the right is taken from the Foothills Parkway.
I just love the hazy morning pictures. There wasn't room to stop so we missed some great shots of the fog laying in the valley's of the mountains this morning.
We pulled over at Deal's Gap to take a break and yes, they made me buy another shirt with Dragon information on it. But it is for winter riding so I guess it's okay.
If you want to see some good action shots along The Dragon you can do so by searching for photographers on the dragon such as 129Slayer.com, etc. If you look at this site for the date of Sept. 10, 2014 you might even recognize me and Sweet Thang rounding a curve in a fairly good lean position. We were polishing her tire's sidewalls.
Alvin, Paul (The Ride Master) and Randy standing on an observation platform overlooking Santeetla Lake. It is a small lake compared to others in the area and is very scenic. There's also a hydro-electric station here. The community of Santeetla runs along one side of the lake and has one way roads. Some very beautiful homes here but it is about 25 miles to the closest town which is Robbinsville, NC.
From Santeetla we hit the Joyce Kilmer Hwy. and rode to the parking area. There's miles of trails in this virgin forest where it stays damp and cool even on hot summer days. It is a great place to picnic or just find a spot and enjoy the babbling stream that flows near the parking lot.
There's a 1.8 mile loop trail that will take you back into the area where the big trees are located. You really have to watch your footing as the dampness and cool temperatures make the boards on bridges and pathways slick.
Looking Westward from the bridge at the stream. I tried to get Paul to walk the tree in the upper portion of the picture, the tree that's crossing the stream. He declined. Can't imagine why, it looked strong enough to hold him. It did have a little moss growing on top so the footing may have been a little tricky. I would sure liked to have gotten a picture of him on it.
The sound of rushing water rumbling through the rocks has a very calming effect. Much like breakers rolling onto a beach. I guess the brain analyzes it similar to the ear as white noise. Kind of drowns out all the other stuff rumbling around in your head,
From the Joyce Kilmer Forest we headed for the Cherohala Skyway. For some reason Paul was in a frisky mood as we kind of ripped through the curves, over the hills stopping only once to take a picture or two. It was rather cool up on top above 4,000 ft. elevation. And the storm clouds were forming bolder and bolder. It was like, maybe we are going to get wet if we fool around too long.
The weather patterns in this part of the country are mind boggling. It may look like a storm and then nothing happens. Then again, it may not look like a storm and it rains. Meteorologists have a heck of a time trying to figure what's going to happen.
A scenic view from atop the Cherohala Skyway looking Westward.
As a biker friend says, "This is the money shot". Sweet Thang parked with a magnificent view behind her. Now who wouldn't like this view. Wait, don't tell me for if you didn't, I'd have to hurt you.
Down the Cherohala and finally into Tellico Plains, TN for a stop at Hardee's and then some petrol.
A converted old farm house is now a nice little family style restaurant. We ate there once and it is good with a pleasant staff waiting on you. After our lunch break we headed on some back roads from Tellico Plains to Seymour, skirting all the other towns. We rode back roads that had back roads eventually coming back to Seymour just in time to catch the school traffic at the end of the day.
It was fun riding today. We ran from foggy and cool to a bit chilly back to plain hot by the time we returned to our starting destination. Total mileage door to door, 197. Total amount of fun, Priceless.
Your assignment this coming weekend is to check your maps, run through the internet, and find some places you haven't been to or it's been years since that has some historical value AND that is entertaining. It is amazing the number of people I run into that know so little about their backyard. Whatever you do, watch out for motorcyclists, be safe and have fun.
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